Reply to student discussion

STUDENT 1:

WK 1 Discussion

Manufacturing Functions are Disorganized

To best resolve the issues of disorganized functions, Henri Fayol is the best consultant to utilize. Fayol founded the Administrative Theory of Bureaucratic management, which seeks to improve efficiency by organizing its layers (Bruton et al., 2021). Fayol identified five areas as management duties (Bruton et al., 2021) that lead to success. These duties are Foresight, Organization, Command, Coordinate, and Control (Bruton et al., 2021). Of these terms, Command and coordination best suit Smithfield as leading through explicit instruction and orders and ensure diverse efforts link together ultimately provide the best improvements.

Further, Fayol devised 14 principles applicable to an organization and its workers (Bruton et al., 2021) that improve efforts. Fayol can implement the principles of a Scalar chain (a chain of command from the top to the bottom of an organization), unity of Command (workers receive orders from only one superior), and unity of direction (activities that are similar fall to one person). By doing so, the manufacturing functions and communication channels will be precise.

Production Schedule is a Mess

Henry Gantt created a planning tool to help organizations identify key milestones in a process called the Gantt chart (Bruton et al., 2021). A Gantt chart is a beneficial tool as it combines all the pieces of work involved in creating a product through its delivery to the customer (Bruton et al., 2021). Applying Henry Gantt in Smithfield’s custom furniture will significantly improve the production schedule as it will identify each aspect of completing a piece. Further, it will offer the opportunity to separate tasks that should be completed simultaneously (Bruton et al., 2021), increasing productivity and reducing waste. By utilizing Henry Gantts tools, Smithfield can identify the breakdown of jobs into elements, monitor timelines, and identify dependent and independent studies (Bruton et al., 2021) to ensure less waste and more planning effectiveness.

Lumberjack Disagreement Methods To Cut Trees/Load Boat

The Gilbreths are the best experts in terms of identifying best practices in this case. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth began making their mark on management's foundations, focusing on worker productivity (Bruton et al., 2021). The Gilbreths would refine their study into productivity by highlighting the importance of worker welfare and motivation, discovering that reducing the number of motions in a task increased workers' well-being (Bruton et al., 2021). This experience can correct the issues experienced by standardizing the functions performed by these workers while maintaining the highest levels of safety. The Gilbreths documented task methods to confirm which task is most efficient and offers the worker the most well-being (Bruton et al., 2021). By reducing workers' risk and increasing efficiency, workers' arguments will cease, standardize work, and reduce waste.

Tempers Flare among Office Support Staff

Mary Parker Follett can offer a great deal of insight into an organization's dynamics. She is known as the “Mother of Modern Management” (Bruton et al., 2021) for her additions to management understandings. Some of her noteworthy accomplishments are potential solutions for the issues with Smithfield office support staff conflicts. Parker Follett coined the term “integration” to describe power dynamics in an effective organization as well as the “group principle” that explains that each position has equal importance and makes equal contributions (Bruton et al., 2021). Parker Follett deemed “constructive conflict” a key asset in developing teams (Bruton et al., 2021). These concepts address the office support staff conflicts by clarifying how power should work or be divided, explaining how each member of the group is equally valued and accountable for the team, and deconflicts issues through constructive means (Bruton et al., 2021). Applying Mary Parker Follett’s research can significantly improve communication while providing workers a more profound sense of connectedness.

References:

Bruton, J., & Bruton, L, Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management: Bureaucratic Management. Lumen. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-principlesofmanagement/chapter/reading-bureaucratic-management/

Bruton, J., Bruton, L., & Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management: Humanistic Management. Lumen. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-principlesofmanagement/chapter/reading-humanistic-management/

Bruton, J., Bruton, L., & Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management: Scientific Management. Lumen. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-principlesofmanagement/chapter/scientific-management/