Study the operations of an electric utility company, and determine where the production of electricity stands vis$--$vis push or pull systems. Using charts and narrative, explain your finding.

Study the operation of a supermarket, and list the JIT$/$Lean features in use. Look for special JIT$/$Lean practices such as supplier partnerships, and describe how they operate in a supermarket environment.

Develop a chart contrasting the philosophies of mass production and JIT$/$Lean$.$

Mass production was the most successful production system from the time of Henry Ford$$s Model T until the $1960$s$.$ There is no question that this system permitted the manufacture of a wide range of goods at much lower prices than had been possible before then. Given this success, how do you explain that JIT$/$Lean is supplanting mass production?

You are the president of a new division of a major auto producer. Your organization has been chartered to design and build a line of cars to compete with intermediate$-$size Asian and European imports. The division is to be located in a historically agricultural state that has availability of un$-$skilled labor but no experience in auto manufacturing. Your key staff and mid$-$level managers will be handpicked from among other divisions. The corporate headquarters staff has not been able to come to terms with how the new division should be set up$.$