Question

1. The US is the only industrialized country that has not fully adopted the metric system. What do you think is the reason behind it? What impact does it have on the American economy? Should the US fully adopt the metric system?
2. Of the 10 materials handling principles discussed in this chapter, which two are most surprising to you? Why?
3. Why is it important that materials handling be aligned with an organization’s objectives, customers, and products?
4. Please use an example to explain what environmentally-friendly packaging mean? How should a firm adopt environmentally friendly packaging strategies?

Answer 1

The US is the only industrialized country that has not fully adopted the metric system. What do you think is the reason behind it? What impact does it have on the American economy? Should the US fully adopt the metric system?

The main reason behind the USA not converting to the metric system is the popular and widely believed notion of the country's individualism in using the US customary units. While the rest of the world has adapted to the metric system, a large section of American society wants the government to continue with its current system of measurements to be unique and different from others.

The impact is quite far-reaching. Froe example, NASA had to suffer a loss of $125 million when its Mars-orbiter failed to distinguish between the US and metric systems and got destroyed in the process.

The country can benefit from adopting the metric system as it will bring uniformity to various operational and economic activities within and outside the country. While the cost of conversion will be huge, it will be worth it in the end when it prevents huge losses which are suffered due to conversion issues.