Concept check

1. What is the essence of just-in-time production?

2. Name the variations of JIT production system in Japanese and American companies.

3. Fill in the table below with strengths and weaknesses of JIT and explain all pluses and minuses of this system.

4. Why is it important to weigh pros and cons of JIT production before introducing this system into practice?

5. Do you agree with the statements below? Are they true or false? Use the following formulas for discussion: Personally, I think that, in my opinion, from my point of view, I reckon it is true because, true enough, I assume it is false because.

1) In JIT, products are ‘pulled’ through the manufacturing process from the end rather than ‘pushed’ through from the beginning.

2) Under the JIT system, spare parts and components are delivered just when they are required by the next stage of the production process.

3) JIT encourages production workers to exceed their production targets.

4) JIT originated in American manufacturing.

5) All products can be produced with the JIT system.

6) Companies using the JIT system are highly dependent on their subcontractors.

7) In the JIT system, defective components can be replaced from the reserve inventory.

8) JIT depends on harmonious partnerships between a company and its suppliers.

9) Due to the fact that the risks of implementing JIT outweigh its benefits, companies prefer the traditional way of production.

10) Companies still prefer to keep reserve inventories just in case.