1. How can a manager determine whether his or her firm needs improvement in control? If improvement is needed, how can the manager tell what type of control needs improvement, e.g., operations, financial, structural, or strategic? Describe some steps a manager can take to improve each of these types of control.
2. Describe the differences between bureaucratic and decentralized control. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
3. Why do some people resist control? How can managers help overcome this resistance?
4. Describe three basic decisions that must be addressed in the design of operations systems. What information do managers need to make each decision?
5. What is total quality management? What are the major characteristics of total quality management?