case analysis of Smithfield Custom Furniture. Include in-text citations and references in a reference list in APA citation
Case Discussion
SMITHFIELD’S CUSTOM FURNITURE
It is 1901. Alicia Smithfield, daughter of the founder of Smithfield Custom Furniture, just inherited the company. She is the only surviving heir to the furniture empire her father built.
Headquartered in upstate New York, the company has grown significantly over the past 60 years. Began in a shed built next to his log cabin, Jonas Smithfield’s quality furniture developed a huge following among New York City’s wealthiest residents.
After being educated in the best business schools in Europe and America, Alicia has run the business side-by-side with her father for the past 15 years. When there were many issues confronting the business, a tree being felled took an unexpected route and brought Jonas’ life to a surprising end.
The company had just moved to a facility large enough to house its workers: 10 carpenters; 5 furniture designers; 5 wood finishers (varnish and dye experts); 10 machine operators to assist with the various equipment needed to cut the wood into various designs, polish and sand the wood; 5 mechanics to keep the vehicles (5 trucks) and boats (7) that transported wood from upstate New York and Canada to the work area in good repair; 15 lumberjacks who cut wood in nearby areas and moved it downriver by boat or over the rugged highway by truck; and 5 office personnel who assisted with filing, invoicing, drafting and responding to correspondence, handling customer inquiries, and performing other necessary office functions. More than half of these employees were hired in the past 5 years.
Alicia’s Big Issues
The major issues confronting Alicia Smithfield are these:
(1) The furniture manufacturing functions are very disorganized. It is not clear how to best organize these functions. For example, the varnish and dye experts each use a different method to complete their tasks.
(2) The production schedule is a mess. It is not clear which projects should be completed first to ensure products are being delivered to customers on time.
(3) The lumberjacks, both cutting trees down and shipping them by truck or boat, differ on the best methods to perform these tasks.
(4) Tempers are flaring as a result of the disorganization. The office, clerical, and support workers are rude to each other and can’t seem to act as a cohesive work unit.
(5) While the company is financially successful, as it has grown from a small family-owned business to a large and complex enterprise, the organizational structure has not kept pace. Few formal rules exist, and the keeping and maintenance of records are haphazard.
(6) Employees are feeling overworked and losing satisfaction in the work they are doing. They believe their basic needs are not being addressed.
Alicia’s Proposed Issue Solutions
Alicia Smithfield is familiar with all of the contributors (e.g., Weber, Gilbreath, Taylor, among others) to the management theory you have read about this week. She has decided to hire six (6) of those contributors to management theory from the week’s readings as consultants. (We shall now refer to those contributors (e.g., Weber, Gilbreath, Taylor, among the others) in this week’s readings as “consultants.”)
Each of the six (6) consultants selected will be assigned to solve only one of the six (6) issues listed above. Alicia’s problem is that she is unclear as to which of the six (6) contributors selected from the week’s reading to be her consultants are best matched to solve each of the six (6) specific issues listed above.
what are the four (4) of the above-mentioned six (6) issues identified by Alicia Smithfield. Specifically, she has asked you to recommend a consultant to solve four of the six issues confronting her. You have been requested to explain to Alicia why you selected the four consultants you chose to solve each of the four selected issues. Each consultant will solve one of the four issues you identified that particular consultant to address. explain the major contribution/idea of the consultant selected and how that contribution/idea applies to the specific issue you have recommended that the consultant solve. You must identify the school of thought that each consultant represents.
Note: You may not use any of the individuals in the readings to solve more than one of the four (4) issues. If a person you select is deceased, do not let that inconvenience stand in your way. You may still use that individual to solve a specific issue.
APA formatted in-text citations and references for each of the four (4) issues you select.
Use the exact numbers and corresponding headings for your initial post for each of your 4 selections. For example, one student’s post may be numbered 1, 3, 5, 6; another student’s post may be numbered 1, 2, 4, 5; and so forth. Any four of the six issues listed will be acceptable.
1. Manufacturing Functions are Disorganized
2. Production Schedule is a Mess
3. Lumberjack Disagreement Methods To Cut Trees/Load Boat
4. Tempers Flare among Office Support Staff
5. Lack of Formal Rules/Record-Keeping Processes
6. Basic Needs and Job Satisfaction Overlooked
For addressing the disorganization in manufacturing functions, the consultant selected is Frederick Taylor, a pioneer of scientific management. Taylor’s major contribution was the concept of breaking down tasks into smaller, standardized elements to improve efficiency and productivity. Taylor’s approach involves scientific analysis of work processes, designing the most efficient methods, and training workers to follow these standardized procedures. This school of thought emphasizes maximizing individual worker efficiency to enhance overall organizational effectiveness.
In the context of Smithfield Custom Furniture’s disorganized manufacturing functions, Taylor’s principles can be applied to streamline the varnish and dye processes. By studying the most effective techniques and creating standardized methods for varnishing and dyeing wood, Taylor’s approach can help eliminate inconsistencies and increase productivity. Workers will be trained to follow the prescribed procedures, leading to greater efficiency and improved product quality.
APA In-text Citation: (Wren, 2005)
To address the chaotic production schedule, the consultant chosen is Henri Fayol, known for his administrative theory. Fayol’s major idea was the development of a comprehensive set of administrative principles that guide effective management. These principles include planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling. His approach focuses on a clear hierarchical structure, efficient communication, and coordinated decision-making within an organization.
Applying Fayol’s principles to Smithfield Custom Furniture’s production schedule issue involves creating a clear plan for project prioritization, organizing tasks based on urgency, coordinating efforts among different departments, and implementing effective controls to ensure projects stay on track. This approach will provide a structured framework for managing the production schedule and enable efficient allocation of resources.
APA In-text Citation: (Fells, 2000)
For resolving the disagreement among lumberjacks about cutting trees and shipping methods, the consultant selected is Max Weber, a proponent of bureaucratic theory. Weber’s major contribution was the development of the bureaucratic model of organization. This model emphasizes hierarchical authority, clear roles and responsibilities, standardized procedures, and impersonal decision-making based on rules and regulations.
Applying Weber’s bureaucratic principles to Smithfield Custom Furniture’s lumberjack issue involves establishing clear and standardized procedures for tree cutting and shipping. This would entail defining the best practices for tree cutting, loading boats, and shipping by truck. A clear chain of command and rules for decision-making would help resolve conflicts and ensure that tasks are performed consistently and efficiently.
APA In-text Citation: (Weber, 1947)
To address the interpersonal conflicts among office support staff, the chosen consultant is Mary Parker Follett, a pioneer in human relations theory. Follett’s major contribution was her emphasis on integrating human psychology and group dynamics into management practices. She advocated for participative decision-making, conflict resolution through open communication, and creating a cooperative work environment.
Applying Follett’s ideas to the office support staff issue at Smithfield Custom Furniture involves promoting open dialogue, encouraging collaboration, and implementing participative decision-making processes. By addressing conflicts through effective communication and involving staff in decision-making, the company can create a more harmonious work environment, leading to improved teamwork and job satisfaction.
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