Georges Case Study Analysis
George’s Case Study Analysis
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1. Executive Summary
The scenario, in this case, depicts George, a fresh graduate from the university, who has his anticipations with the new job. In his work environment, he is the new ABC consultant tasked with delivering creativity and innovation in the number of projects carried out by the organisation. Also, he would be responsible for coming up with new ideas and then write reports for his project manager and the company director. Together with other employees, George would be expected to deliver the best in his field and contribute to the overall growth and development. Having passed highly in his interview, the HR Director was pleased that finally, they had landed the appropriate employee for the consultancy work.
Initially, George had two job offers after graduation. He was tasked with deciding on whether to work at the Big 4 Organization, a massive company with big-name clients, many worthwhile projects, and a relatively good salary or at ABC Consulting, a medium-sized firm. While making a decision, he imagined the long working hours, the hostile working environment, and the need to show total commitment to the bosses while in a big organisation. Also, he reflected on working in a non-collaborative environment. Although direly needed money, he decided upon working at ABC Consultancy, where he would at least balance work and his living. Initially, he found the HR and the project manager very attractive to work with. Also, the employees were very well behaved; thus, he thought he had reached a very best place.
The problems started to cripple in soon after he met Harry Main, one of the colleagues at the workplace. He was very bored when Harry told him to always stick with the work culture and stick to cohesive consensus. This annoyed him as he felt he would lack the influence to make decisions and come up with new ideas. In his first project, he worked with Janet and Daniel to come up with creative ideas, collect data, and write a report regarding their project. During brainstorming, George was surprised at how Janet and Daniel were very innovative in coming up with ideas. At his turn to chip in with new ideas, he failed terribly to an extent Janet told him to up his game. This prompted him to make amends in writing the final project. Much to his disgust, George was saddened when Janet criticised his project ideas and made comments on the best way to do it. In the end, he was profoundly troubled when the HR Director and Janet told him he would not be entitled to the 10% bonus as had been promised. This was the end of all his energy, effort, and determination. These words prompted him to draft a resignation letter and write many applications as he reflected on making a turn and seeking another step.
2. Critical Analysis
In George’s case, various themes, concepts, and theories are applicable in the analysis. The case study depicts a form of organisation behaviour (OB) evident in many organisations and as practised by employees and the top management. From his first day at the organisation to the last one when he drafted a resignation letter, the themes of motivation, decision making, power and influence, and negotiation are highly evident.
The theme of motivation
George had to options to decide upon in his focus to attain a job. At Big 4 Organization, he was assured of a higher salary, but then he was worried about the lack of a work-life balance. He believed the job could be too much for him to the extent of lacking ample time and freedom to engage him and make life plans. Also, he knew there would be incidences of conflict at the work which would heavily drain him. Therefore, he gained motivation of having a work-life balance while at ABC Consultancy. Work motivation is the main form of organisational behaviour. [1]In many work scenarios, employees are motivated by a balance between work and their life. This is the main reason why George decided against Big 4 Organization and chose ABC Consultancy. He knew well that he would be entitled to freedom and to a chance of showing his creative ideas. Also, he was motivated by the fact that he would be receiving bonuses after a probation period of 3 months. Through motivation, many workplaces get a chance of recruiting good employees who are at the forefront of channelling organisational achievements. [2]The theme of motivation conformed to the classical theory of organisational management, which calls upon employees to develop and improve the organisation.
The Theme of Negotiation
In organisational settings, negotiations are highly practised in planning for salaries and in assigning particular duties to employees. Also, consultation is evident within a person’s mind when reflecting on what should be done to enhance creativity and innovativeness. [3]Negotiations are effective in enhancing the rights of workers. For George’s case, the theme of the consultation was outlined during the first meeting with the Human Resource Director Daniel and his Area Manager Janet. The two negotiated on matters of salary, and George was told he would be entitled to bonuses after a probation period of 3 months. After this period, he would be given full employment in accordance with his work records. However, the promises were not fulfilled as had been stipulated. Due to a less impression made by George while at work, he was given another probation period of 3 months, after which he would be entitled to bonuses.
The Theme of Decision Making
The decision is a very crucial topic in every organisation. In coming up with new ways of doing operations, a decision must be reached upon by the various stakeholders. New regulations and rules cannot be put in place without members sitting down, discussing and agreeing upon them. [4]Lack of decision making is the main cause of organisational failure. [5]With proper consultations during decision making, a company is well structured to develop and grow. The classical theory is also very relevant in organisational decision making. [6]With the theory, human beings are seen as the appropriate components which are related to the success of the company. Through their input, growth and development are highly realised. [7]Therefore, the main aim of decision making is to help come up with new ideas and proper ways of doing things. For George’s case, decision making was done by him when he reflected on choosing between two organisations. He opted for ABC Consultancy so as to balance his life and work. In other contexts, decision making for ABC Consultancy was overseen by the Human Resource Director and George’s Area Manager, Janet. In deciding on his bonus situation, they clearly informed him of the need to extend the bonus period during the review period. This prompted him to decide on resigning and applying for another job. In making decisions, people always analyse their situations and reflect on the benefits and setbacks of sticking with a particular choice. George made his decision to resign as he saw it hard working without bonuses in a highly repulsive work environment.
The Theme of Power and Influence
Power is profoundly manifested in management as a way of dictating duties and delegations. In most cases, the senior management entailing the HR, directors, managers, and other leaders are responsible for prescribing duties to the firm employees. Power is accompanied by influence as a leader is always the one who influences decision making while in an organisation. The influence made impacts on the organisation either positively or negatively. [8]Power and control are, therefore, mandatory in realising efficiency and more production at the organisational operations. Employees always listen to and follow what their leaders say and dictate. To an effective leader, power should not be misused and utilised in the exploitation of employees. Instead, it should be used to influence positive relationships with other people. With a good rapport between employees and their leader, there would be the maximisation of work done, thus leading to the achievement of success. In the analysis of the theme of power and influence, the contingency theory is very useful to come up with factors leading to success. [9]The theory helps leaders understand which kind of leadership is effective. [10]A leader who applies his or her power to analyse the external and internal influences to an organisation before making a decision is very efficient. This kind of leadership is directly linked to success. The internal factors to a business may entail the issues which hinder employee’s maximal production. Therefore, tackling these issues would significantly enhance their potential. The external factors, on the other hand, may refer to topics such as laws and regulations, taxation, competition, and other factors. A careful analysis of these issues is heavily suited to achieving success as put forward by the contingency theory. In George’s case, power and influence are highly evident in the build-up to taking the job as the ABC Consultancy. During the inauguration by the HR Director and his Area Manager, George is motivated by how his excellent work will lead to full confirmation and eligibility to bonuses. However, the task assigned proves too much for him. When he is unable to come up with new ideas, Janet heavily criticises his effort and comes up with comments on how he should come up with a report. The influence of Janet and other people at the firm makes it increasingly tough to carry on with the duties. Eventually, the HR Manager who has maximum powers at the organisation gives him a final blow when it is said that the probation period is extended to another three months. This leads to the point of resignation, where George is unable to continue with the work.
Solutions
Many problems relating to conflict, power, and influenced by the organisations’ managers make it difficult for George to carry out his duties. An excellent solution to the concept of power and influence would be for George to request a meeting with the HR and the manager to discuss with them the issue of the probation period. In this way, he would be open and let them know it is extremely hard to wait for three months of another probation period. In this case, they would be in a position to decide whether to give him bonuses or relieve him of the duties. Also, George was in a hurry to decide on drafting a resignation letter. In this capacity, he should have been patient to see if there would be any improvements in the operations. [11]A positive change in the firm’s culture would give him another chance to improve his fortunes. In regard to problems experienced at his workplace, I would advise George to persevere and seek the advice of other employees on how he should be creative and innovative. Through the advice given to him, he will realise the best way of carrying out operations and writing the report. This will be a significant boost to his efforts.
Conclusion
George’s case was based on the concepts of decision making, negotiation, power and influence, and theories such as contingency and classical. Initially, he was encompassed with a decision-making situation. Between the two firms, he opted for ABC Consultancy because he wanted a balance in his work and life. However, the choice did not bear fruits as he failed to deliver in the new environments. As a result, his senior opted against confirming him as a full employee. He was added a probation period of three months which he imminently declines. As a result, he decided on resignation as he thought of writing many other applications to other firms. In his capacity, the decisions made did not leave a positive impression at every step he took. The case by George teaches us about many themes and concepts. [12]The careful analysis of concepts such as decision making, negotiation, power, and influence helps us in coming up with the right decisions regarding looking for appropriate job opportunities.
Bibliography
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Bennett, Karen. "Making Things Up." Oxford Scholarship Online, 2017. doi:10.1093/oso/9780199682683.001.0001.
https://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780199682683.003.0001?rskey=f0A4RR&result=32
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https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/organizational-decision-making/A2BD95210F5DB1B229A0657A755228A9
Donaldson, Lex. The Contingency Theory of Organisations. Thousand Oaks: SAGE, 2001.
https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/the-contingency-theory-of-organizations/book10668
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https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2010-26315-010
Kaplan, Ulas. "Moral Motivation as a Dynamic Developmental Process: Toward an Integrative Synthesis." Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour 47, no. 2 (2016), 195-221. doi:10.1111/jtsb.12116.
Kleinbeck, Uwe, Hans-Henning Quast, Henk Thierry, Hartmut H„cker, and Hans H. Quast. Work Motivation. London: Psychology Press, 2013.
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Lazega, Emmanuel. "A Theory of Collegiality and its Relevance for Understanding Professions and knowledge-intensive Organisations." Organisation und Profession, 2005, 221-251. DOI:10.1007/978-3-322-80570-6_9.
Pfeffer, Jeffrey, and Gerald R. Salancik. The External Control of Organisations: A Resource Dependence Perspective. Redwood City: Stanford University Press, 2003.
Shakun, Melvin F. "Right Problem Solving: Doing the Right Thing Right." Group Decision and Negotiation 12, no. 6 (2003), 463-476. doi:10.1023/b:grup.0000004257.06865.38.
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1.Kleinbeck, 2013
2. Kaplan, 2016
3. Blanpain, 2012 ↑
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4. Shapira, 2002 ↑
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5. Connolly and Koput, 1996 ↑
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8. Lazega, 2005 ↑
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7. Bennett, 2017 ↑
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6. Pfeffer and Salancik ↑
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7. Donaldson, 2001 ↑
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10. Bacher, 2006 ↑
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11. Garcea and Linley, 159-174 ↑
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12. Shakun, 463-476 ↑
