Q. The bathtub theory of operations management is being promoted as the next breakthrough for global competitiveness. The factory is a bathtub with 50 gallons of capacity. The drain is the outlet to the market also can output three gallons per hour when wide open. The faucet is the raw material input also can let material in at a rate of four gallons per hour. Now, to test your comprehension of the intricacies of operations (Suppose the bathtub is empty to begin with):
a. Draw a diagram of the factory also find out the maximum rate at which the market can be served if all valves are set to maximum. Illustrate what happens to the system over time?
b. Suppose that instead of a faucet, a five-gallon container is used for filling the bathtub (Suppose a full container is next to the tub to begin with); it takes two hrs to refill the container also return it to the bathtub. Illustrate what happens to the system over time?