Operations Management
13th Edition
ISBN: 9781259667473
Author: William J Stevenson
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
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Chapter 6.3, Problem 1.2RQ
FOXCONN SHIFTS ITS FOCUS TO AUTOMATION
Foxconn operates a network of factories across the Chinese mainland, employing 1.2 million people, that makes products for tech companies that include Apple Hewlett Packard, and Dell. The electronics manufacturing giant has been on a steady course for a while to replace manpower with robotic systems.
‘Foxconn (has) vowed to install up to 1 million robots in its factories over the next three years, which analysts suggested was in part to address long-time scandals such as high suicide rates among employees and exploitation of workers.’
Foreign manufacturers in China are also viewing upgrades as vital to their operations in the country. In fact, numerous multinational companies have recognized the long-term benefits of replacing human labor with robots.
2. Many companies outsourced their manufacturing activities to Foxconn due to its low labor costs. Does Foxconn’s shift to automation make it likely that some of those companies will reconsider outsourcing in favor of shifting to automation? What are some reasons for staying with Foxconn and what are some reasons that favor shifting to their own automated processes?
Source: Based on ‘Foxconn hats recruitment as focus shifts to automation,’ He Wei in Shanghai, China Daily, February 2, 2013, p.9.
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FOXCONN SHIFTS ITS FOCUS TO AUTOMATION
Foxconn has a network of factories across the Chinese mainland, employing 1.2 million\speople, that creates products for tech businesses such include Apple, Hewlett Packard, and Dell The electronics manufacturing giant has been on a steady trajectory for a time to replace\smanpower with robotic equipment.
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"Foxconn (has) committed to put up to 1 million robots in its factories over the next three years, \swhich observers claimed was in part to solve long time controversies such as high suicide rates\samong employees and exploitation of workers."
Foreign manufacturers in China are also viewing upgrades as important to their business in the\scountry. In fact, numerous international corporations have recognized the long-term benefits of replacing human labor with robots.
As Foxconn reduces employees as it switches to increased use of automation, jobs will be created in other\scompanies. In what types of companies would jobs be created?
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Based on what you have learnt in the unit…
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Chapter 6 Solutions
Operations Management
Ch. 6.2 - MORTON SALT Introduction Morton Salt is a...Ch. 6.2 - MORTON SALT Introduction Morton Salt is a...Ch. 6.2 - MORTON SALT Introduction Morton Salt is a...Ch. 6.2 - MORTON SALT Introduction Morton Salt is a...Ch. 6.2 - MORTON SALT Introduction Morton Salt is a...Ch. 6.2 - MORTON SALT Introduction Morton Salt is a...Ch. 6.3 - FOXCONN SHIFTS ITS FOCUS TO AUTOMATION Foxconn...Ch. 6.3 - FOXCONN SHIFTS ITS FOCUS TO AUTOMATION Foxconn...Ch. 6.3 - Prob. 2.1RQCh. 6.3 - Prob. 2.2RQ
Ch. 6.5 - Prob. 1.1RQCh. 6.5 - Prob. 1.2RQCh. 6 - Explain the importance of process selection in...Ch. 6 - Briefly describe the five process types, and...Ch. 6 - Prob. 3DRQCh. 6 - Briefly describe computer-assisted approaches to...Ch. 6 - What is a flexible manufacturing system, and under...Ch. 6 - Prob. 6DRQCh. 6 - Why might the choice of equipment that provides...Ch. 6 - Prob. 8DRQCh. 6 - Prob. 9DRQCh. 6 - Briefly describe the two main layout types.Ch. 6 - Prob. 11DRQCh. 6 - Prob. 12DRQCh. 6 - What is the goal of Line balancing? What happens...Ch. 6 - Why are routing and scheduling continual problems...Ch. 6 - Prob. 15DRQCh. 6 - Prob. 16DRQCh. 6 - The City Transportation Planning Committee must...Ch. 6 - Identify the fixed-path and variable-path...Ch. 6 - Prob. 19DRQCh. 6 - Prob. 20DRQCh. 6 - Prob. 21DRQCh. 6 - Prob. 22DRQCh. 6 - What is cellular manufacturing? What are its main...Ch. 6 - Prob. 24DRQCh. 6 - Prob. 25DRQCh. 6 - Prob. 1TSCh. 6 - What trade-offs are involved when deciding how...Ch. 6 - Who needs to be involved in process selection?Ch. 6 - Prob. 4TSCh. 6 - Prob. 5TSCh. 6 - Prob. 1CTECh. 6 - Prob. 2CTECh. 6 - What are the risks of automating a production...Ch. 6 - Consider an assembly line such as the burrito...Ch. 6 - Prob. 1PCh. 6 - A manager wants to assign tasks to workstations as...Ch. 6 - A manager wants to assign tasks to workstations as...Ch. 6 - A producer of inkjet printer is planning to add a...Ch. 6 - As part of a major plant renovation project, the...Ch. 6 - Twelve tasks, with times and precedence...Ch. 6 - For the given set of tasks, do the following: a....Ch. 6 - A shop works a 400-minute day. The manager of the...Ch. 6 - Arrange six departments into a 2 3 grid so that...Ch. 6 - Using the information given in the preceding...Ch. 6 - Using the information in the following grid,...Ch. 6 - Arrange the eight departments shown in the...Ch. 6 - Arrange the departments so they satisfy the...Ch. 6 - a. Determine the placement of departments fix a...Ch. 6 - Prob. 15PCh. 6 - Develop a process layout that will minimize the...Ch. 6 - Prob. 17PCh. 6 - Rebalance the assembly line in Problem 7. This...
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