1. Using the list provided from Chapter 4 (or any additional you may feel relevant) which of the steps listed represent the fastest way to increase efficiency? How important is it to overall profitability whether the way you selected is/is not the most cost effective way? Give at least one example of one company that utilized your choice and explain how it led to its success.

Table 4. 1 Primary Roles of Value Creation Functions in Achieving Superior Efficiency Value Creation Function Primary Roles Infrastructure (leadership) 1. Provide companywide commitment to efficiency. 2. Facilitate cooperation among functions. Production 1. Where appropriate, pursue economies of scale and learning economics. 2. Implement flexible manufacturing systems. Marketing 1. Where appropriate, adopt aggressive marketing to ride down the experience curve. 2. Limit customer defection rates by building brand loyalty. Materials management 1. Implement JIT systems. 2. Implement supply chain coordination. 1. Design products for ease of manufacture. R&D 2. Seek process innovations. Information systems 1. Use information systems to automate processes. 2. Use information systems to reduce costs of coordination. Human resources 1. Institute training programs to build skills. 2. Implement self-managing teams. 3. Implement pay for performance