2 DB Post Replies 450 words a piece !!! Look at the attached rubrics for details 3 References

Running Head: DISCUSSION BOARD 3 PART 1 1

Discussion Board #3

Sarah Swift

1. Mass customization of products has become a common approach in manufacturing organizations. Explain the ways in which mass customization can be applied to service firms as well.

Mass customization of products has evolved as a favored business technique over time. Though this technique has been a useful tool in the manufacturing realm of business, it can also be beneficial within the service industry as well. Mass customization is defined as “using mass-production technology to quickly and cost – effectively assemble goods that are uniquely designed to fit the demands of individual customers” (Daft, 2016, p 271). The focus for this approach is to provide to customers exactly what they may need (Daft, 2016). This very focus can work well within service firms as the service sector has the desire to provide to their customer’s needs through intangible outputs which do not even come into effect until it’s requested by the customer (Daft, 2016).

Those that work in a service firm deal closely with their customers such as a lawyer representing their client in court or a teacher giving a lecture in the classroom. In circumstances such as these, the customer expects that their needs be provided for and that those who provide these services do so in a manner that is unique to the individual allowing the customer to get the most from the services rendered. The close interactions that are common within service sectors can be invaluable for an organization. Much of the success that is built for a service brand is dependent upon customer’s interactions with this brand (Kaltcheva, Patino, Laric, Pitta, & Imparato, 2014). Being that the success for a service brand is built from the satisfaction of their cliental, it is necessary for the service organization to place a focus on mass customization as this technique will allow providers the opportunity to cater to the unique needs of each individual.

2. A top executive claimed that superior management is a craft technology because the work contains intangibles (such as handling personnel, interpreting the environment, and coping with unusual situations that have to be learned through experience). If this is true, is it appropriate to teach management in a business school? Does teaching management from a textbook assume that the manager's job is analyzable and, therefore, that formal training rather than experience is most important?

Craft technologies describes activities that are not necessarily analyzable or ones that are able to be understood very easily (Daft, 2016). This type of technology requires that those who engage it go through a deeper and longer training cycle (Daft, 2016). Though craft technology does involve activities that are not able to be analyzed, it still would be beneficial to teach the topic of management within business school. Teaching the topic of management within business school may not advise students of all the challenges that will come their way within a management role, but it can provide them the basic understanding of what the management role entails and how to mitigate the risks that may arise from their intangible encounters in a management role. Each decision made by management involves varying levels of risk and can influence the outcome of the organization (Gilley, Walters, & Olson, 2002). Students can learn from a management class the expectations that come with a management position and a framework of the position that will then allow them from there to build their expertise through experience.

Teaching from a textbook does not assume that the job is analyzable nor does it give the idea that formal training is more important that experience. The point of the textbook in this case is not to prepare fully for all unexpected circumstances but it does provide a foundation to build experience from. It would be a disservice to step into a management role without the formal training that taught what you were expected to do in that role and how to engage in management style decision making. This gives confidence for remaining successful during unforeseen circumstances.

3. Do you believe that technology will eventually enable high-level managers to do their job with little face-to-face communication?

As technology becomes of increasing popularity within society, it is also growing in popularity within organizations as well. Technology has become an outlet for organizations to increase their ability to communicate while also providing a more efficient and convenient way of doing business. The increase in the use of technology can indeed allow high- level managers to do their job with little face- to- face communication. Some of these uses of technology that can assist a manager in doing their daily operations are transaction processing systems, business intelligence, intranet, and social media (Daft, 2016). A transaction processing system stores the information from the businesses daily transactions (Daft, 2016). These transactions include sales, purchases, and inventory changes (Daft, 2016). Managers also have made available to them business intelligence which is the analysis of the company’s data to help guide in making better strategic decisions (Daft, 2016). These two uses of technology allow managers to forecast the status of the business and to incorporate better decision making without having to engage and collaborate with other employees to help make these decisions as well. The company’s intranet and engaging in social media allows the business to have more avenues to communicate with employees and customers without having to engage in a face- to- face manner. All these avenues provide a convenience to doing business that does not necessarily require the employees to get together to determine the course of the business.

4. Look through several recent issues of a business magazine (Fortune, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, etc.) and find examples of 2 companies that are using approaches to busting bureaucracy. Explain the techniques that these companies are applying.

Bureaucracy is a system that is primarily governed by rules and procedures, engages in specialization and division of labor, hierarchy, and uses written communications and records (Daft, 2016). The businesses that have been seen as breaking from this system if businesses are businesses such as Amazon and Hasbro. Amazon continuously breaks through the mold of bureaucracy as they are constantly innovating and choosing to break from the standard of centralization. Amazon encourages the spread of innovation and communication from all employees to help bring about new ideas (Shi, 2016).

Hasbro is another company that is doing the same. Hasbro is looking to diversify their resume as they are entering the subscription business for their games (Kell, 2017). This is bringing about a new level of innovation for the company and it is a stretch into the new market of subscriptions. This requires new training for individuals which helps to break from the conventional belief of formalization (Kell, 2017). Expanding into new markets helps to bring about a new way of thinking that differs from traditional measures of formalization and encourages communication through a decentralized system.

5.  Do you believe that a no growth philosophy of management should be taught in business schools?

Teaching a no growth philosophy of management may not be the proper approach to take. Daft (2016) describes that many people find that businesses must grow to stay successful as those that choose to stay in their current position then find that they may not be able to provide for their customers increasing needs (Daft, 2016). It is important to teach the necessary techniques that can help business go through this change that may be inevitable. Larger businesses are also more complex (Daft, 2016). In choosing to teach techniques that can be used for larger companies, students can receive the training as to how to be successful and navigate the complex environment in a large organization.

6. How can/should a biblical worldview be applied?

Proverbs 21:5 states that “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (NIV). This can be applied to the learning as it describes the importance of planning whether it be deciding to use mass customization, choosing to use technology in business, or engaging proper training. Taking these steps in planning and using the necessary resources available in business can help to lead to profit rather than poverty.

References:

Daft, R. L. (2016). Organization Theory & Design. (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Gilley, K. M., Walters, B. A., & Olson, B. J. (2002). Top management team risk taking

propensities and firm performance: Direct and moderating effects. Journal of Business Strategies, 19(2), 95-96. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/entrepreneurship/docview/204380926/2068F75D9F5747D4PQ/12?accountid=12085

Kaltcheva, V. D., Patino, A., Laric, M. V., Pitta, D. A., & Imparato, N. (2014). Customers'

relational models as determinants of customer engagement value. The Journal of Product and Brand Management, 23(1), 55. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/entrepreneurship/docview/1511380641/3605ABEAEE1E4CC0PQ/37?accountid=12085

Kell, J. (2017, April 21). Hasbro is launching a subscription service for family games. Fortune.

Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2017/04/21/hasbro-subscription-service-games/

Shi, A. (2016, July 11). Amazon prime members now outnumber non-prime customers. Fortune.

Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2016/07/11/amazon-prime-customers/?iid=sr-link3