9609 · 4.1.2
Efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and sustainability flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9609 Efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and sustainability (syllabus 4.1.2). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
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Efficiency?
Minimising waste of inputs — doing things right.
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Effectiveness?
Achieving objectives / satisfying customers — doing the right things.
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Can be efficient but ineffective?
Yes — cheap production of unwanted product (e.g. overstock).
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Labour productivity?
Output per worker per period — e.g. units / employee / year.
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Raise productivity how?
Training, technology, motivation, better processes.
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Sustainability in ops?
Reduce waste, energy, emissions; ethical sourcing.
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Short-term vs long-term?
Cutting safety spend boosts efficiency now but harms sustainability.
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Link to CSR?
Sustainable ops supports corporate social responsibility image.
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What is the formula for labour productivity?
Labour Productivity = Total output (in a given period) / Total number of employees (in that period).
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Define 'effectiveness' in a business context.
Effectiveness is the extent to which a business achieves its stated objectives. It is about 'doing the right things', such as producing a high-quality product that meets customer needs.
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Define 'efficiency' in a business context.
Efficiency is about how well a business uses its inputs to produce output. It is about 'doing things right' by minimising waste, costs, or time in the production process.
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What are the three components of the Triple Bottom Line?
Planet (environmental impact), People (social impact), and Profit (economic impact).
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What is 'lean production'?
An operational strategy focused on the elimination of waste in all its forms (e.g., time, materials, defects) to improve efficiency and quality. Examples include Kaizen and JIT.