Discussion Thread: Internal Design Elements Replies

Mass Customization and Service

As Daft (2021) tells us mass customization “refers to using mass-production technology to quickly and cost-effectively assemble goods that are uniquely designed to fit the demands of individual customers” (pg. 323). This has been applied to several different types of production environments, which leads to the assumption that the same application can be made to the service industry (Daft, 2021). Mass customization provides more value to customers within the relevant industry where it is utilized (Pallant, J. L., Sands, S., & Karpen, I. O., 2020). There are also varying levels of customer involvement when it comes to mass customization as described by Pallant et al. (2020). Mass customization is already being applied in service industries such as “restaurants and airlines” (Pallant et al., 2020, pg. 509). As Pallant et al. (2020) tell us “Some operators already deconstruct service offerings and allow consumers to co-configure the optimal level of service” (pg. 509). This can be seen by picking your seat on a plane whether you prefer a window seat or aisle (Pallant et al., 2020). Furthermore, airlines are allowing travelers the options of buying their entertainment, Wi-Fi, bags, and online check-in before they ever arrive at the airport (Pallant et al., 2020).

What Makes Superior Management?

Daft (2020) tells us that “craft technologies are characterized by a fairly stable stream of activities, but the conversion process is not analyzable or well understood” (pg. 339). In other words, the tasks involved in craft technologies are difficult and hard to learn without the proper preparation or knowledge (Daft, 2020). If superior management is truly a craft technology, then it makes sense why many go to school for training in business administration. Superior management is in the eye of the beholder as there are many ways that a manager can be successful and therefore superior to lesser managers. However, Friedland, J., & Jain, T. (2022) tell us that “Leading Fortune 500 companies have started skipping degree requirements for certain jobs (pg. 16). With the rise of available free courses online from top colleges, there is a real threat to secondary education for business managers and their businesses (Friedland, J. & Jain, T., 2022). Management is analyzable to a degree, so it is hard to say that it is completely a craft technology (Daft, 2020). There has been a fall in enrollments as “the top 10 U.S. MBA programs have experienced significant declines in applicants” (Friedland, J. & Jain, T., 2022, pg. 16). Business education is still useful for building superior management just as much as formal training and experience. All three of these factors can be a significant contributor to creating a superior manager.

Technology and Face-To-Face Communication in Management

            As a result of the global lockdowns that followed the Coronavirus Pandemic, videoconferencing technologies and remote work replaced most face-to-face interactions between employees and their managers (Riedl, R., 2021). At the height of the lockdowns, new “systems such as Zoom” became household names overnight while Skype was unused for years (Riedl, R., 2021, pg. 153). It is a matter of opinion on whether videoconferencing can effectively replace face-to-face communication when it comes to managing employees. This is obviously what happened at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic out of the necessity of lockdowns (Riedl, R., 2021). However, some would argue that “zoom fatigue” has overwhelmed the sudden utility of videoconferencing tools (Riedl, R., 2021). Zoom fatigue is explained as “this stress-related depletion of physiological and cognitive resources” due to the “prolonged and inappropriate use of videoconferencing tools” (Riedl, R., 2021, pg. 154). While this may be a major problem for some, videoconferencing technology can replace face-to-face interaction between employees and managers even if zoom fatigue does exist (Riedl, R., 2021). Having the right employees within a virtual structure eliminates the need for face-to-face interaction between managers and employees as they do not require micromanagement (Daft, 2021). Videoconferencing technologies are the gateway to the future of work being able to be done at any place and any time (Riedl, R., 2021). Technology should be embraced as the future of any business whilst being mindful of its’ potential pitfalls. If virtual learning can be successful through the implementation of these new videoconferencing technologies, then virtual business management can see the same success (Katz, A., & Sagit, K-Y., 2021).

Busting Bureaucracy

            Pfizer slashed through bureaucracy by avoiding government funding and all its’ inherent requirements when making their Covid 19 Vaccine (Fortune, 2021). Another example of companies cutting through bureaucracy is when “PepsiCo, Sony, Novartis, and GE that used temporary teams to carry out time-sensitive strategic projects quickly” (Edmonson, A., & Gulati, R., 2021, pg. 47). The deployment of temporary teams is a technique described to bust bureaucracy by Daft (2021). PepsiCo UK employed their “SLAM Team” as a temporary team to accomplish goals without the hindrance of bureaucracy and red tape (Edmonson, A., & Gulati, R., 2021, pg. 47).

No Growth Philosophy and Business Education

            All relevant styles of business management should be taught in business schools as business education must be undertaken without bias and from an objective point of view (Daft, 2021).

Biblical Worldview

            Technology has brought many great things into the world, and business management is at the forefront of its’ utilization. The advancement of civilization was foretold as Genesis 11:6 tells us, “And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing they propose to do will now be impossible for them” (English Standard Version). As managers, we should all strive for superiority amongst our peers, as 1 Corinthians 9:24 tells us, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” (English Standard Version). Managers should seek out the best avenue to attain this, whether that be education, formal training, or experience. As Proverbs 9:9 tells us, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will still be wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning” (English Standard Version).

 

 

 

 

 

References

Edmonson, A., & Gulati, R. (2021). Agility Hacks: How to Create Temporary Teams That

Can Bypass Bureaucracy and Get Crucial Work Done Quickly. Harvard Business Review, 99(6), 46-49. Retrieved from https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=7da46c79-1f0e-4257-af6f-ea5df3be5a40%40redis

 Friedland, J. & Jain, T. (2022). Reframing The Purpose of Business Education: Crowding-in A

Culture of Moral Self-Awareness. Journal of Management Inquiry, 31(1), 15-29. Retrieved from https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/1056492620940793

Katz, A. & Sagit, K-Y. (2021). From Classrooms to Zoom Rooms: Preserving Effective

Communication In Distance Education. Journal Of Information Technology Case and Application Research, (23)3, 173-212. Retrieved from https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/epub/10.1080/15228053.2021.1922248?needAccess=true

Newcomb, A. (2021, November 16). How Pfizer’s CEO Ruthlessly Cut Bureaucracy to Deliver

A COVID Vaccine in Record Time. Fortune. Retrieved from https://fortune.com/2021/11/16/pfizer-covid-vaccine-development-ceo-albert-bourla/

Pallant, J. L., Sands, S., & Karpen, I. O. (2020). The 4Cs Of Mass Customization in Service

Industries: A Customer Lens. Journal Of Services Marketing, (34)4, 499-511. Retrieved from https://www-emerald-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JSM-04-2019-0176/full/pdf?title=the-4cs-of-mass-customization-in-service-industries-a-customer-lens

Riedl, R. (2021). On The Stress Potential of Videoconferencing: Definition and Root Causes Of

Zoom Fatigue. Electronic Markets, (32), 153-177. Retrieved from https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/content/pdf/10.1007/s12525-021-00501-3.pdf