Identify and explain two methods PP could use to improve the quality of its products.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Method: Quality control identified
2. [1] Explanation of Quality control: checked at the end/by inspectors; aims to eliminate faults before product gets to customers; less training needed as inspectors employed to check quality
3. [2] Application mark for Quality control (contextual reference to PP/pottery production)
4. [1] Method: Quality assurance identified
5. [1] Explanation of Quality assurance: checked by employees throughout the production process; eliminates faults before it passes to the next stage of production; reduced costs as less need to reduce prices of faulty products; more expensive to train staff to check their own work; relies on workers being committed to maintaining a standard
6. [2] Application mark for Quality assurance (contextual reference to PP/pottery production)
7. [1] Method: Total Quality Management (TQM) identified
8. [1] Explanation of TQM: continuous improvement by focusing on each stage of the production process; quality become central ethos of employees; 'right first time' means no customer complaints/reduced costs as no faults to repair or price reductions needed; expensive to train all employees; relies on all employees accepting responsibility for ensuring quality
9. [2] Application mark for TQM (contextual reference to PP/pottery production)
10. [1] Method: (Employees) Additional training of employees/recruit experienced workers identified
11. [1] Explanation of (Employees) Additional training: less likely to make mistakes
12. [2] Application mark for Employee training (contextual reference to PP/skilled production workers)
13. [1] Method: (Raw materials) Change supplier/improved quality of raw materials identified
14. [1] Explanation of (Raw materials) Change supplier: improved quality of final product if inputs better
15. [2] Application mark for Raw materials (contextual reference to PP/pottery items)
16. [1] Method: (Equipment) Introduction of automation/new technology identified
17. [1] Explanation of (Equipment) Introduction of automation: fewer faults as products are standardised
18. [2] Application mark for Equipment (contextual reference to PP/factory, traditional methods)
19. [1] Reduce marketing budget by 20% (Advantage): Reduces costs spent on advertising
20. [1] Reduce marketing budget by 20% (Advantage): Loyal customers may not need advertising to still demand PP pottery products
21. [1] Reduce marketing budget by 20% (Advantage): Already well-established/well-known brand so less advertising needed
22. [1] Reduce marketing budget by 20% (Disadvantage): May lead to falling sales if consumers are not persuaded to buy the pottery
23. [1] Reduce marketing budget by 20% (Disadvantage): Competitors may be advertising and attract customers
24. [1] Reduce marketing budget by 20% (Disadvantage): Reduced spending on market research - less likely to understand customer needs
25. [1] Reduce marketing budget by 20% (Disadvantage): Need to research new market in country Z – expansion may be hampered
26. [1] Increase investment in automated equipment (Advantage): Increases efficiency
27. [1] Increase investment in automated equipment (Advantage): Lowers unit costs
28. [1] Increase investment in automated equipment (Advantage): Improved quality - standard product so less mistakes/fewer faults
29. [1] Increase investment in automated equipment (Advantage): Fewer workers needed leading to reduced wage cost
30. [1] Increase investment in automated equipment (Disadvantage): High cost of initial investment may take long time to recoup the expense from lower unit costs
31. [1] Increase investment in automated equipment (Disadvantage): Costs incurred of making workers redundant
32. [1] Increase investment in automated equipment (Disadvantage): Increased debt
33. [1] Increase investment in automated equipment (Disadvantage): Additional training costs
34. [1] Change to a cheaper supplier of raw materials (Advantage): Lower cost of raw materials reduces variable costs – increase in the profit margin/lower prices
35. [1] Change to a cheaper supplier of raw materials (Advantage): Lower cost of sales - increase profit margin
36. [1] Change to a cheaper supplier of raw materials (Disadvantage): May lead to a lower quality pottery reducing reputation
37. [1] Change to a cheaper supplier of raw materials (Disadvantage): May increase transport costs (although existing supplier is not local)