Edexcel Business A Level Revision

Cell production - A form of flow production whereby the production line is split into a series of self contained cells which teams in these cells work together to create one unit of output. Each cell takes responsibility for the production of complete units of output. MASLOW AND HERZBERG ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The members of the cell work as a team to achieve goals and ensure quality standards are met. Cell production often leads to increased productivity due to: Increased motivation (team spirit and added responsibility) Specialisation ( the process of concentrating on and becoming expert in a particular subject or skill)   CELL PRODUCTION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Increases quality, teamwork and motivation Depends on staff being well trained or experts in their role

Job empowerment - giving employees the power to do their job. The concept is closely linked to motivation and customer service. Put simply, employees need to feel that their actions count. Empowerment is a catch-all term that covers: Giving authority to make decisions to front-line staff (e.g. hotel receptionist, call centre assistant) Encouraging employee feedback Showing more trust in employees This is a stage beyond delegation, giving employees more control over their working situation. ADVANTAGES Increasing the Productivity and Morale. Those who are given the responsibility to create their own decisions can feel more trusted in which their contributions have a direct factor in the success of the company. This can actually offer them to boost their morale. Bigger Involvement Leading to Bigger Commitment. When employees are given greater involvement by increasing their responsibility, they are able to become more involved in the development of strategies for the organ...

Human relations approach - emphasises the importance of ways in which people interact and how they are treated. Motivation can improve when the employee feels more involved. Mayo believed that workers are not just concerned with money but could better motivated by having their social needs met whilst at work (something that Taylor ignored). The Human relations approach focused on managers taking more of an interest in the workers, treating them as people who have worthwhile opinions and realising that workers enjoy interacting together. Mayo concluded that workers are best motivated by: Better communication between managers and workers Greater manager involvement in employees working lives Working in groups or teams Better working conditions Psychological and social factors are more important in increasing productivity His theory most closely fits in with a paternalistic style of management. ADVANTAGES OF HUMAN RELATIONS APPROACH Workers are recognised and appreciat...

Scientific Management - A motivational theory developed by Frederick Taylor to try and increase the productivity in businesses, specifically factories.   ADVANTAGES OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT Avoids inaccuracy in production of products Better planning and decision making Enhances teamwork - cooperation between managers and workers Maximises productivity Improved democracy in the workplace Increased opportunities for workers to acquire further training DISADVANTAGES OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT Not suitable for big firms, only small organisations Managerial decisions may involve severe stress for managers due to need for complete control over the work place Feelings of pressure among employees mainly influenced by piece rate as if they don't make enough of their product, they wont get enough money to live on. May demotivate employees due to repetition of task with no flexibility In order to meet productivity requirements, quality may suffer...