Case Study

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 505.

Task I. Read the following information about the management problem in one of the plants in Mexico.

ARE TWO MANAGERS TOO MANY?

Three years ago, a German company opened aplant in Mexico.

The company has two middle level managers; one is German and one is Mexican. The German manager is Ms. Mara Graus and the Mexican manager is Pablo Arango, who has been at the plant from the beginning. Both managers share responsibilities. They are responsible for teaching the German-based assembly line technology to the workers. They are also responsible for four first line managers (supervisors) who control thirty workers.

From the beginning the two managers have disagreed on many management policy issues:

Ms. Graus feels that Mr. Arango is too friendly withsubordinates, both the supervisors and assembly line workers. Mr. Arango, in contrast, feels that Ms. Graus is very cold and unfriendly to subordinates.27

Mr. Arango feels that the supervisors should be given more responsibility and control over their workers. He feels they should be given more information related to their jobs and more decision-making power. Ms. Graus feels that they have enough information to carry out their jobs and that she and Mr. Arango should be making all the decisions.

The disagreements have become so serious that Ms. Graus and Mr. Arango are no longer able to effectively manage the assembly line.

Task II. Complete the chart below to speak about the disagreements

between the two managers:

Task III. Discuss the following points:

1. Which management style do you think Ms. Graus has?

2. What about Mr. Arango?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the two different styles of management?

4. What can resolve the differences between Ms. Graus and Mr. Arango?

Task IV. Both managers have written letters to their bosses at the respective headquarters. The bosses have asked you and your classmates to read the letters and help them solve the problems between Mr. Arango and Ms. Graus.

Task V.

Write a plan to resolve the differences between the two managers so that they can manage the plant more successfully.

Letter from Mr. Pablo Arango to His Boss, Mr. Jose Gonzalez

Dear Mr. Gonzalez,

I hope that this letter finds you and your lovely family in good health. As you have asked, I am writing you to tell you about the recent happenings at the Tijuana factory and my feelings about them. As I said, it has been quite a struggle adjusting to our new manager, and I hope you can give me some advice as to how to handle the situation.

One of my biggest problems with Ms. Graus is that she is very unfriendly with the workers. She does not approve of me socializing at work with the workers. She says that it is not professional to talk with them about personal matters or do them personal favors. I don't agree. If an employee has a problem, it directly affects their work. Also, I believe that workers will only trust and respect a boss who helps them with their problems and shows interest in them as people, not just as workers.

Another problem is that the floor supervisors find Ms. Graus too controlling. She has them working on projects with which she gives them little information. They are not involved at all in the decision-making process; she simply gives them orders. Ten years ago this type of management would have been acceptable. These days my supervisors want to have more responsibility for their projects. I believe that the more they are asked for their opinions and ideas, the better job they will do. They will have a personal interest in the work which they have helped to develop. These are most of the major issues. I hope that you can help me with some of them. I will continue to do my best, although at times it can be very difficult.

Please send my fondest regards to your family.

Letter from Ms. Mara Graus to her boss in Germany, Dr. Sigmund Heinz

Dear Dr.Heinz,

Please excuse the lateness of this letter as I know I should have written sooner. Everything here in Mexico is going along a little slower than I had hoped. Mr. Arango and I are having some disagreements over management issues. I hope you will send me some advice for resolving some of these problems.

One of the biggest problems is that Mr.Arango spends a lot of time on the floor socializing with the workers, joking around with them, and asking about their families and their personal problems. He also insists on helping them with personal favors. I feel that the workers are not taking their jobs seriously because of the relaxed and social atmosphere he creates. I have spoken with him about this issue, but he insists on keeping close relationships with the workers. I tried to tell him that the workers respect a manager who works hard and has great technical ability.

On the issue of control and management, Mr. Arango has asked that I give the floor supervisors more responsibility and control. He feels that they are not involved enough in the decision-making process and that they should receive more information about their projects. I believe I have given them the information they need to do their work. In addition, I am their boss and they should not have to worry about the details. That is my job, and what I get paid for. They should trust me and my decisions.

Well, as you can see, I am very disappointed by the way things are going. I realize that this is my first overseas assignment and that I should be happy to have such an important position. In truth, this is the most difficult position I have had. I would appreciate any help or advice you can give me.

Best wishes.