Case 9: The R&D Problem (consider reviewing chapters 16 & 17)
Date: July 1, 2012; 12:30 PM
After the big igniter problem, the company is still reeling. The ramifications were severe; they lost several big customers over it, along with creating a huge amount of scrap. To make matters worse, they were not able to recoup their payment from TriTech because the igniters were delivered as they had been designed—it was their own fault, not TriTechs. After a few weeks, purchasers were able to find replacement parts, but delivery took several weeks, and at significant cost. During that time, Patrick had hourly employees take a two week unpaid leave. After employees were asked to return, productivity was low—presumably because morale was low after the forced leave, and they were likely performing a work slow-down that was not sanctioned by the union. After what they have been though, Bill’s cannot afford to have poor productivity now—all of the gains made between March and May were wiped out with the igniter snafu.
Answer the following questions:
First, describe your gut reaction to this situation. What do you think?
What can Patrick do to improve productivity? What types of leadership would be most appropriate? Use the information from Chapter 16 to answer this question.
How can this situation be applied to the materials in chapter 17? Be specific.
Based upon what you have learned from the text, what recommendations do you have for Patrick. Be specific.
Case 9: The R&D Problem (consider reviewing chapters 16 & 17)
Date: July 1, 2012; 12:30 PM
After the big igniter problem, the company is still reeling. The ramifications were severe; they lost several big customers over it, along with creating a huge amount of scrap. To make matters worse, they were not able to recoup their payment from TriTech because the igniters were delivered as they had been designed—it was their own fault, not TriTechs. After a few weeks, purchasers were able to find replacement parts, but delivery took several weeks, and at significant cost. During that time, Patrick had hourly employees take a two week unpaid leave. After employees were asked to return, productivity was low—presumably because morale was low after the forced leave, and they were likely performing a work slow-down that was not sanctioned by the union. After what they have been though, Bill’s cannot afford to have poor productivity now—all of the gains made between March and May were wiped out with the igniter snafu.
Answer the following questions:
First, describe your gut reaction to this situation. What do you think?
What can Patrick do to improve productivity? What types of leadership would be most appropriate? Use the information from Chapter 16 to answer this question.
How can this situation be applied to the materials in chapter 17? Be specific.
Based upon what you have learned from the text, what recommendations do you have for Patrick. Be specific.
1. First, describe your gut reaction to this situation. What do you think?
It has been a sad situation from the start. It Cleary demonstrates poor leadership skills and low team motivation and team work. It will be very difficult to boost the morale of the workers and get back on track.
2. What can Patrick do to improve productivity? What types of leadership would be most appropriate? Use the information from Chapter 16 to answer this question.
He needs to use task oriented leadership style. As task oriented leadership will involve structuring the roles of subordinates, providing them with instructions, and behaving in ways that will increase the performance of the group, which is crucial at this time. I am sure by getting involved himself he will be able to motivate the employees morale and boost up the performance levels.
3. How can this situation be applied to the materials in chapter 17? Be specific.
Patrick has legitimate power and the employees need to comply with the requests he makes because they accept the legitimacy of the position, whether they like or agree with the request or not. He could use reward power and coercive power to boost up the morale of the employees and pump up the productivity level.
4. Based upon what you have learned from the text, what recommendations do you have for Patrick. Be specific.
Patrick needs to understand his skills and leadership style as by doing so he will be able to use it wisely. He needs to be able to use his power that comes with the position so that he can direct it for the benefit of the company. Employee satisfaction is critical to company success, so he needs to provide his employees with adequate motivators to help them be more productive at work.
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