QUESTION $6(20$ Marks$)$

Study carefully the information provided below and answer the following questions.

INFORMATION

PWD Co$,$ a manufacturing firm based in a West African country, specialises in the manufacturing of agricultural processing equipment used in the production of tropical fruit juices. With a process focused facility devoted to low$-$ volume, high$-$variety production, the main operations are organised around specific processes in terms of equipment, layout, and supervision.

The firm's competitive strategy combines cost leadership and differentiation, which has facilitated its rapid growth over the past few years. However, recent data suggests a deceleration in this growth trajectory. A recent market survey has revealed a shift in customer preferences, with speed and dependability emerging as primary competitive priorities for juice producers. Despite this shift, the survey results indicate that cost and quality continue to serve as essential order qualifying criteria for the majority of respondents.

REQUIRED:

$6\mathrm{.}1.$ Building upon the information presented above and drawing insights from the operations management literature, provide a comprehensive discussion on the concept of process strategy, specifically focusing on the main characteristics of PWD$\text{'}$s process strategy. Additionally, specify TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages of this strategy to the competitive strategy of PWD Co$.$ You are required to provide in$-$text citations to support your discussion.

$(8$ marks$)$

$6\mathrm{.}2.$ According to the background information: $$A recent market survey has revealed a shift in customer preferences, with speed and dependability emerging as primary competitive priorities for juice producers. Despite this shift, the survey results indicate that cost and quality continue to serve as essential order qualifying criteria for the majority of respondents.$$

The practical insight from the survey is that that juice producers, as customers of PWD$,$ are placing growing emphasis on responsiveness, efficient and agile production processes, and reliable delivery timelines from PWD Co$,$ while also prioritising quality and cost.

Based on the ten critical and strategic decision areas of Operations Management, analyse how PWD Co could integrate a response strategy into its current competitive strategic blend of low$-$cost leadership and differentiation. Include an introduction and an insightful conclusion in your discussion. You are required to provide in$-$text citations to support your discussion.