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Hello.
How would you describe the management processes within Caresource versus Quest?
Which seemed more effective? and why?
I concur with you on how you describe the management processes within Caresource and
Quest. For example, you have noted that the management in Caresource is concerned with a top-
down approach to issues. In the case study, it is evident Benjamin, the founder of Caresource,
was more interested in operational efficiency, top-down management, and limited employee
influence in the organization. In a top-down management approach, the leader and the executive
make key decisions, which are then communicated to subordinates and employees (Zaman et al.,
2021). This approach leaves employees with little influence on how an organization is run and
managed, including decision-making.
I also agree with the way you described management processes at Quest. Unlike the
management process in Caresource, the management in Quest is open, with no centralized
authority to order employees around. For example, based on the case study, William, the founder
of Quest, focused on meeting the needs of employees and making them feel part of the
organization (Daft, 2021). William went further to consider suggestions from the employees
during regular meetings. From a generalized perspective, the management process at Quest is
centered on teamwork and a bottom-up approach. In a bottom-up approach, all voices are
included in decision-making (Cornito, 2021). As you have noted, this approach correlates with a
high degree of motivation among employees.
Finally, I agree with your view regarding the most effective management process
between Caresource and Quest. Unlike Caresource, Quest's management process is centered on
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employees and teamwork. This approach is associated with effective decision-making and higher
operational efficiency. For example, the Quest development team manufactured a better
prototype than Caresource.
Which organizational design (Caresource or Quest) do you think was more appropriate for
a competitive and changing technology environment? Why?
I concur that Quest has the most appropriate organizational design compared to
Caresource. One of the reasons you have noted why Quest has the appropriate organizational
design is the issue of teamwork. Unlike Caresource, Quest has a unique organizational need for
centered teamwork, collaborative problem-solving, and effective communication. The attributes
underpinning Quest’s organizational design are highly applicable in a competitive and changing
technology environment. Evidence shows that teamwork and collaborative approaches to
problems are associated with innovation and better products or services (Garrido-Moreno et al.,
2024). The significance of this approach in the context of competition and changing technology
environments is also evident when one examines the case study about Quest and Caresource,
especially regarding the manufacture of a prototype product.
In a competitive and changing technology environment, an organization must be
characterized by teamwork and better decision-making to stand out. Teamwork brings together
employees to solve a problem (Berber et al., 2020). A collaborative approach to problems is
associated with improved innovations and solutions in light of products and services provided.
In your opinion, which firm should have won the complete contract - Caresource or Quest?
Which do you think eventually will be chosen to produce the ventricular device? Explain.
Your opinion on why Quest should have won the contract is agreeable. I agree with this
view for several reasons. First, I agree with this opinion because, unlike Caresource, Quest
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focuses more on teamwork and collective decision-making. Organizations that work through
teamwork complete tasks accurately and within the stipulated timeframe. The significance of
teamwork is also emphasized in Exodus 18. In this chapter, Jethro advises Moses to form a team
to help him deal with people’s problems while leading them in the wilderness (Exodus 18, New
International Version). Through this approach, Moses was able to solve most of the Israelites'
problems without directly getting involved.
Finally, I concur with you that Quest will eventually win the contract. One of the reasons
behind this assumption is that all its prototypes functioned effectively. However, some of the
prototypes manufactured by Caresource were defective (Daft, 2021). The variation shows that
Quest puts more emphasis on manufacturing products, and hence, it is more likely to win the
contract.
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References
Berber, N., Slavić, A., & Aleksić, M. (2020). Relationship between perceived teamwork
effectiveness and team performance in banking sector of Serbia.BSustainability,B12(20),
8753.
Cornito, C. M. (2021). Striking a Balance between Centralized and Decentralized Decision
Making: A School-Based Management Practice for Optimum Performance.BInternational
Journal on Social and Education Sciences,B3(4), 656-669.
Daft, R. L. (2021). Organization Theory & Design. 13th Edition. Cengage Learning Inc.
Garrido-Moreno, A., Martín-Rojas, R., & García-Morales, V. J. (2024). The key role of
innovation and organizational resilience in improving business performance: A mixed-
methods approach.BInternational Journal of Information Management,B77, 102777.
New International Version. HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.
Zaman, U., Florez-Perez, L., Khwaja, M. G., Abbasi, S., & Qureshi, M. G. (2021). Exploring the
critical nexus between authoritarian leadership, project team member's silence and multi-
dimensional success in a state-owned mega construction project.BInternational Journal of
Project Management,B39(8), 873-886.
