Business case studies

Technology - Amazon

Uses robotics such as Vulcan, AI-powered sensors, and AI to maximise space in bins through predictions.

Technology - Domino's

Uses apps, an online store, and conveyor belts.

Technology - Toyota

Uses CAD to design car parts and test vehicle models digitally before production. Uses CAM to control robotic machinery on car assembly lines.

Waste management - Amazon

Uses robotics to reduce the number of wrong items in packages, leading to fewer returns and less wastage.

Waste management - Too Good To Go

Uses an app to help reduce food waste by connecting consumers with businesses that have surplus food.

Waste management - Visy

Uses materials recovery processes to recover and recycle materials from waste.

Waste management - Toyota

Constantly works on ways to reduce waste and improve inventory efficiency.

CSR - ALDI

Moving towards 100% renewable energy by using solar panels on the roofs of its stores.

CSR - Amazon

Uses biodegradable packaging such as boxes.

Quality - Domino's

Uses focus groups, mystery evaluators, and detectors to monitor and improve quality.

Quality - Toyota

Encourages staff to suggest improvements through continuous improvement practices.

Global considerations - Toyota

Uses global sourcing of inputs, sourcing car parts such as electronics, steel and tyres from overseas suppliers.

Global considerations - Apple

Uses overseas manufacturing, with iPhones assembled in China.

Global considerations - Optus

Uses global outsourcing, including outsourcing call centre operations to lower-wage countries.

Manufacturing businesses - Toyota

Toyota is a manufacturing business that produces tangible goods such as vehicles.

Manufacturing businesses - Nike

Nike is a manufacturing business that produces tangible goods such as footwear and clothing.

Manufacturing businesses - Cadbury

Cadbury is a manufacturing business that produces tangible goods such as chocolate and confectionery.

Manufacturing businesses - Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a manufacturing business that produces tangible goods such as beverages.

Service business - Uber

Uber is a service business that provides transportation services.

Service business - ANZ

ANZ is a service business that provides financial and banking services.

Service business - Qantas

Qantas is a service business that provides air travel and transportation services.

Materials management - Kmart

Uses forecasting to predict how much stock customers will buy during holidays and sales periods.

Materials management - Apple

Uses master production scheduling (MPS) to schedule the production of iPhones before major product launches.

Materials management - Toyota

Uses materials requirement planning (MRP) to manage parts such as engines and tyres that are needed for manufacturing cars.

Materials management - ALDI

Uses just in time (JIT) by ordering just enough stock to put onto shelves, reducing the need for excess inventory.