2
CASE STUDY REVIEW 2
Abstract
Amy Werner was provided support by her employer, On-Ramps. Her manager, Sarah Grayson,
allowed Amy to have a flexible work schedule, so she can pursue her educational goal.
According to Sarah, Amy was only allowed a flexible work schedule because she was a high-
performer, and Sarah was certain Amy could complete her weekly work, despite the schedule
and school requirements. Based on that case study, On-Ramps was operating under two
organizational perspectives: open-natural and open-rational perspectives. On-Ramps was also
applying two theoretical theories, Contingency Theory and Resource Dependency Theory, that
helped it make the most optimal decision that added the most value to the company. The
Contingency Theory emphasizes that decisions should be guided by both the external and
internal variables, and the Resource Dependency Theory emphasizes that the company is
dependent on its resources and the interactions between other companies and stakeholders. Based
on both of those theories, Sarah made the correct chose in supporting Amy’s educational goals as
they added additional value to the company.
Keywords: contingency theory, resource dependency theory, organizational perspective
3
CASE STUDY REVIEW 2
Case Study Review 2
In the On-Ramps case study, it highlights the importance of managemental decisions. The
managers of the On-Ramp firm hired and support Amy Werner through her career at the firm and
her educational goals. Amy Werner, who is considered a high performer, worked as a search
associate for the company for over three years. Amy not only worked full time but also took
night and weekend classes during the first year and a half she worked at the firm. However, her
school schedule demanded a more complex schedule, as she had to meet the internship
requirements. The On-Ramps’ managers supported Amy’s educational and work goals by
allowing her to have a flexible work schedule. Amy was allowed to remain a full-time employee
but worked mostly during the nights and weekends with two days in the office during the week.
During the firm’s semi-annual review, Amy’s manager, Sarah, spoke to her about other ways the
firm can support her, such as integrating what she learned from her studies into work. Sarah also
mentioned that she would not have supported Amy if she was a low performer. This case study
demonstrates how a firm can support its employee’s goals.
Organizational Perspective
The On-Ramp firm demonstrates two different organizational perspectives: open-natural
and open-rational perspective. The open-natural system perspective focuses on using Amy’s
external identity to benefit the company, and the open-rational perspective focuses on increasing
value of its employees by increasing the skills and knowledge of employees. Both organizational
perspectives emphasize the importance of using human assets to aid the company (Scott &
Davis, 2016; Walls & Paquin, 2015). Under those two hybrid organizational perspectives, On-
Ramp exemplified two theoretical perspectives: Contingency Theory and Resource Dependence
Theory.
4
CASE STUDY REVIEW 2
Contingency Theory
The Contingency Theory, which can fall under both the open-natural and open-rational
organizational perspectives, emphasizes that decisions should be guided by both the internal and
external environments. By following this guideline, the optimal decision can be made because it
is not constrained to a few variables (Chaudry, 2020). This theory can be seen in the case study
about On-Ramps as Sarah Grayson, Amy’s manager, shows support for Amy’s educational goals.
Sarah used the internal variables of Amy being a high performer combined with the external
environment variables of opportunity of using Amy’s increase in knowledge and education to
create value for the company. When combined with a cost-based analysis and risk theory, Amy
sees that if the company helps support Amy’s educational goals, the risk is low it would
negatively impact Amy’s performance and work for the company. A “wise person can read a
situation and make the right decision” (Merida, 2015, p.20). Sarah was able to do just that as she
made the decision to provide a flexible work arrangement for Amy. As Amy works to complete
her degree, she and Sarah work to combine Amy’s educational skills and work experience to
create a job tailored to not only be ideal for Amy but also for On-Ramps. These results further
show that Sarah made the right decision in supporting Amy to help add value to the company.
Resource Dependency Theory
The Resource Dependency Theory is based on the idea that companies have to interact in
transitions with other stakeholders and companies in its environment to acquire resources, such
as human assets. One example of this type of transaction is hiring a new employee based on their
experience and knowledge. Each of these resources add value to the company; however, it does
often create a dependency, such as the company being dependent on the knowledge and skills of
its employees. Since those resources can impact a company’s performance, authority, and
5
CASE STUDY REVIEW 2
strategy, a company often takes on different strategies to increase the value of its resources, such
as diversifying, training, and developing links to other organizations (Mwai et al., 2014; Duppati
et al., 2019). The On-Ramps firm used this theory when it chose to support Amy’s educational
goals. It added value to the company by helping Amy further her education and stay employed at
the firm.
Personal Perspective
Sarah Grayson chose the correct decision by supporting Amy. She not only helped Amy
feel supported by the company, which increased her loyalty, but also added value to the
company, as Amy planned to incorporate her knowledge into her work. The Contingency Theory
emphasizes the analysis of both the internal and external variables that helped Sarah make the
best decision for the company. Sara also used the Resource Dependency Theory, which helped to
further emphasize the importance of human assets and increasing its value. Proverbs 19:20
(ESV) says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” It
emphasizes the importance of following instructions, or in this case relevant theories, to gain
wisdom about the best method and decision to follow. Merida (2015) also speaks of using
wisdom wisely. In this case study, Sarah chose the right decision that would best benefit the
company by both increasing knowledge and increasing loyalty, which would inadvertently
increase quality and performance.
6
CASE STUDY REVIEW 2
References
Chaudhry, S. (2020). Understanding change enablers in service organizations: A contingency
theory perspective. South Asian Journal of Management, 27(2), 54-83.
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fdocview
%2F2449502962%3Faccountid%3D12085
Duppati, G. R., Scrimgeour, F., Albert, S. (2019). Relevance of corporate boards in driving
performance in the period that covers financial crisis. Corporate Governance, 19(2), 321-
338. http://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1108/CG-11-2016-0204
Merida, T. (2015). Christ-centered exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings. B&H Publishing
Group.
Mwai, N. W., Kiplang’at, J., Gichoya, D. (2014). Application of resource dependency theory and
transaction cost theory in analysing outsourcing information communication services
decisions: A case of selected public university libraries in Kenya. The Electronic Library,
32(6), 786-805. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1108/EL-09-2012-0112
Scott, W., Davis, G. (2016). Organizations and organizing. Pearson Education, Inc.
Walls, J. L., Paquin, R. L. (2015). Organizational perspectives of industrial symbiosis: A review
of synthesis. Organization & Environment, 28(1), 32-53.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/1086026615575333
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
