Balfern Products plc - Case Report from Aberdeen Bus. School SCM Dept.

Coursework

The critical evaluation of changes in organizational behavior at Balfern Products Plc

Case Study:

The Company Balfern Product Plc. produces hand crafted wooden puppets. In order to increase the production level and meet new quality standards a new conveyor belt system is introduced by the management and a bonus pay is offered to the workers. But the workers have problems to adopt themselves to the new system so that the management experiences difficulties in implementing the system and meeting higher production levels. Meanwhile, the relationship between dressers and painter and the rest of the company deteriorated rapidly from a one of friendly rivalry to one of mistrust where different groups are held responsible for the loss of the 'production bonuses'. To make matters worse, some valuable employees leave the company.

Task:

This case study has been commissioned to evaluate the changes at Balfern Products Plc. Using the knowledge of organizational behavior; a report to the management is prepared which contains the reasons, why a team of painters and dressers, made up of capable individuals for specific tasks, performing poorly in organization.

motivation-001

Organisation

individual -v- group

This case study critically analyses concepts and theories of people in organizations and applies it to the Balfern. It identifies people management problems at individual, group and organizational level.

Moreover, group processes, goal orientation, self-image and stereotypes and task interdependencies are considered and evaluated in the report. Furthermore, it determines possible reasons why the working environment as well as the level of conflict becomes complicated. The report ends with a conclusion. The recommendation, what steps the management can take to improve the current situation is summarized in the executive summary.

Table of Contents

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

2 INTRODUCTION 2

3 INDIVIDUAL LEVEL 9

3.1 PERCEPTION AND CHANGE OF ATTITUDES

3.2 COMPETENCIES AND MOTIVATION

4 GROUP LEVEL 13...