Case Study of B.R Richardson-Samples for Students-Myassignment

Question: Discuss about the Case Study of B.R Richardson. Answer: Background The process of management is always characterized by a myriad challenges. Successful control of a business corporation calls for the application of various management theories, skills as well as ideas all of which go a long way in enhancing the achievement of the desired end results. One of the dominant management theories is the systems theory of management which treats an organization as a system made of various complex elements (Ashforth Kreiner, 2009). Each of these elements ought to be effectively intertwined in order to achieve the overall organizational success. The other theories which will also form the basis of our discussion include; contingency theory, classical theory, organization, leadership as well as communication theory. This report comprises a discussion of the outcome of a case study analysis of B.R Richardson Timber Products Corporation. The corporation which is basically family owned comprises four small enterprises namely: a mill, a lumber operation, a logging mill and a laminating plant. Its owner is B.R Richardson and manages the company with the help of other leaders in various capacities within the organization. Due to the decline in the level of motivation among the workers within the organization, the owner seeks the services of a management training and development consultant. The consultant is charged with the task of noting the key organizational issues and hence coming up with the necessary recommendations. This report would therefore be a vital piece which would help B.R Richardson Timber Products Corporation management to obtaining long lasting solutions to its organizational challenges. Objectives To identify and outline the various organizational challenges and management issues facing B.R Richardson Timber Products Corporation. To diagnose and hence discuss the possible causes of the key organizational challenges identified above. To discuss the organizational problems and propose recommendation on possible strategies which would be implemented in a bid to obtain long lasting solutions. Scope The B. R. Richardson Corporation is relatively a large corporation. An in-depth analysis of the organization would be possible if the research process targeted specific areas within the system. The report shall therefore be based on an analysis of the organizational structure, the communication methods used within the organization and the physical attributes which include physical amenities, resources and materials within the organization. The stem of this discussion shall therefore be based on the information obtained through research regarding the three elements highlighted above. Based on the information obtained through direct interviews of different personnel in addition to the case study, the report shall seek to examine the key organizational issues before proposing the necessary recommendations and hence solutions to the identified problems. Assumptions In the process of compilation of this report, one of the assumptions made is that the opinions obtained from the selected sample for interviews were a fare representation of the real situation within the organization. It is also assumed that the information provided by the interviewees were honest hence painting a true picture of the current state of affairs within the corporation. Added to the bit presented in the case study, the report would solely be based on the information that the corporation voluntarily offered to the researchers in a bid to obtain a remedy or more for its challenges. Discussion Organizational Structure The B.R Richardson Timber Products Corporation is made up of a simple organizational structure which from a single view offers the picture of smooth flow in activities. The structure factors in the elements of the systems theory of management which treats an organization either an open or a closed system with distinct parts that forms a whole (Berg Huebner, 2011). The organization is headed by a President, Richardson, who precides over most if not all the major decision making processes involving management within the organization. This level is closely followed by the corporate secretary, Juanita Yates who is answerable to the president and links the lower levels of the structure to the executive. The corporation is made up of four smaller organs situated in different locations. These include; laminating plant, lumber mills, a logging operations company and a larger mill. Each of these plants is headed by a manager. This group of managers forms the next level of the structure under the distinct coordination of the relations manager, Richard Bowman. Each of the feeder plants are governed by a smaller structure comprising a manager, a scheduler, supervisors and other leaders in various lower capacities. For instance, Joe who is the manager of the laminating plant has Susan Lyons as the secretary with various individuals coming below. Based on the nature of this structure, the main communication approach is vertical transmission where information comes from the President before being disseminated to the various organs within the structure. The structure indicates a corporate arrangement in which the main leadership approach involves sharing of roles (Bolmans Deal, 2007). According to the management theory, dissemination and hence sharing of roles plays a crucial part in enhancing the smooth flow of activities within an organization. As noted in this case, each individual is charged with a specific task hence room for specialization which enhances the quality of output as delivered by the workers. In addition, the organizational structure reveals the existence of a diverse workforce based on gender, age as well as class just to mention but few. Consequently, while projecting the organizational challenges and issues within B.R Corporation, it is highly expected that some of these challenges would be greatly linked to diverse workforce. Identified Organizational Issues Ineffective leadership Styles The case study reveals a number of challenges faced by different individuals. These challenges could be largely linked to the leadership approaches and execution styles as embraced by various members within the organization (Eisenberg Eschenfelder, 2009). In order to supplement the information as presented by the case study, the interviews with the various individuals within the organization effectively indicate the minimal level of cohesion among workers within the organization (Dempsey, 2007). To begin with, the study reveals that most of the workers within the organization are uncomfortable with the plant managers form of leadership. They consider him insensitive to the need for team delivery and respect for the lowly ranked workers. He is said to be a bit dictatorial and rather authoritative in his approaches and laces his instructions to the workers with threats. For instance, when giving instructions on an area in need of overhaul, the workers in the particular segment are ask ed to execute their duties immediately or they risk being dismissed/fired. This kind of leadership approach largely breeds fear and resented and not the much needed loyalty. As noted by Jim, one of the supervisors under Joe in the lamination plant, the nature of leadership as executed by the top management has caused unrest among workers especially in the plant. This has slowed down the process of production leading to inconsistencies in the yearly turnover as registered by the company. Worker inexperience Secondly, there the issue of worker inexperience as deduced from the study of processes specifically within the laminating plant. Some of the personnel, for instance in the finishing sections of the plant lack the necessary experience to execute their duties hence leading to a decline in the quality of products. The other example, as revealed in the case study is John McClough, the finishing supervisor who according to the responses obtained from the interviews is said to be failing in is duties. The study reveals that most of the supervisors in the laminating plant fail to push enough in a bid to obtain quality products and enhance output. This situation has led to the loyalty of some of the organizations workers beings question. Perhaps such a turn of events could be largely associated with the low moral levels within the organization which still boils down to the management approaches applied. Poor Communication Furthermore, the study indicates the absence of a sure flow of information from one level to another. As noted by Juanita, the corporate secretary, Joe who is a manager has failed in many occasions to fashion her desk with information concerning the flow of cash. The manager chooses to communicate directly to the executive while ignoring the hierarchy hence leading to the emergence of a poor communication system (Guarreillo Heath, 2007). According to the communication theory of management, processes within an organization become effective when the right communication channels are identified and used. The need for successful dissemination of information is therefore inevitable when it comes to achieving organizational success. Worker Motivation The case study reveals an obvious decline in the level of motivation among workers in the lamination plant. This could be attributed to various factors. For instance, Lawlers report reveals disarray in the physical arrangement of elements within the organization. He notes that the tracks are arranged at random and machines and other materials scattered within the yard. This indicates a non-conducive working environment hence the main reason for the high rate of fatalities experienced by the workers over the past months. The workers are also complaining, albeit silently, of the managers dictatorial approach and insensitivity to their issue. Their lunch hour break which was initially an hour was recently reduced to half an hour. The reward scheme is also considerably unstable and seems to favor only those who are directly answerable to the organizations executive. All these factors have led to a tremendous decline in the moral e of workers within the organization (Frumpkin, 2007). Summary and Discussion A summary of the identified issues and their magnitude can be deduced from the chart below According to the contingency theory, effective management depends on how leaders link their management behaviors to the changing situations within the organization (Koschmann, 2012). This implies that the management approaches ought to be flexible enough to change with the changing circumstances within the organization. The case at B.R Timber Products Corp. is exceptional. The study reveals that the leadership approach has remained what it is currently, for the past ten years. Being a family affair little has been done in rotation of leaders which hinders the organization from exploring other formidable management approaches. If the plant manager continues with his authoritative approach, it can be projected that the production within the organization will drop owing to low motivation levels among the workers. There is therefore an urgent need for leadership training and exposure on alternative and effective management approaches. As highlighted in the classical theory of management, there is need to scientifically study the tasks within an organization and hence the workers responsible for these tasks. This approach would enable the organization to identify the workers best suited for specific tasks which encourages specialization hence effective service delivery. The issue of worker inexperience in the organization can be minimized by applying this theory. Consequently, each individual is station in an area where they are well able to deliver based on their experience and expertise. This could go a long way in enhancing their confidence which in turn increases motivation levels. Alternate Solutions and actions to tackle the organizational issues The theory of leadership advocates for role sharing, dissemination of duties and sensitivity to the needs of other workers. Authoritarian styles like those of the lamination plant manager may never be effective enough in helping an organization to achieve its objectives. With respect to the organization through its remedy approaches seeks to make the process of communication as flawless as presented in the communication theory. With such an effective structure, B.R Corp. could use vertical approaches in the passage of information without some workers choosing to communicate directly to the top management while surpassing the other levels. The companys idea to seek the services of a management training and development consultant is a step in the right direction in a bid to tackle its issues. One of the consultants agenda is to conduct motivational training which would go a long way in enhancing the motivation levels within the organization which is one of the burning issues. Additional actions would involve staff training and exposure, introduction of a better reward scheme and implementation of appropriate leadership styles in managing the organization. Conclusion The report highlights some of the major organizational challenges faced by B.R Timber Products Corporation. Despite the fact that the organizational structure is quite definite, it is a fact worth noting that the corporation has a number of challenges which if not addressed in good time may lead to long term effects on the performance of the organization (Tajfel Turner, 2008). The report highlights poor communication, ineffective leadership approaches, inexperienced workers and low motivational levels as some of the challenges facing the organization. It would therefore be a crucial step to identify and hence implement the necessary solutions in order to revive the workers morale and the general performance of the plant (Meisenbach, 2010). Some of the solutions could be derived from the recommendations outlined below. Recommendations Management Staff training and exposure on leadership skills and approaches in order to sharpen the effectiveness of their leadership execution styles. Training and exposure of workers to enhance their skills and experience necessary for the effective performance of duties. Enhancement of worker motivation through incentive, a stable reward programme in addition to proper working conditions. 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