Business studies

The Chain of Production consists of several stages that provide consumers with finished goods. These include:

1. Primary Production: Involves extracting raw materials from the earth, such as mining metals and drilling oil.

2. Secondary Production: The manufacturing and assembly process where raw materials are transformed into products, like building houses or creating plastics.

3. Tertiary Production: Includes services that support the production and distribution process, like transport, advertising, and healthcare.

Changing Trends in Production in NI

• Employment is shifting towards the tertiary sector, which is the fastest-growing sector.

• De-industrialisation is affecting developed countries, including NI, primarily due to mechanisation, competition from imported goods, and a high level of education leading many to pursue careers in the tertiary sector.

• Service industries are expanding due to increased consumer spending on leisure and other services.

Job Manufacturing

• Definition: Production of a single unique item per customer specification.

• Advantages: High quality and customer satisfaction; flexibility in design.

• Disadvantages: High costs and time-consuming processes.

Batch Manufacturing

• Definition: Production of groups of identical products in batches.

• Advantages: Faster production, reduced labor costs, and some economies of scale.

• Disadvantages: Repetitive work, greater space requirements, and time lost in resetting machinery between batches.