Chapter 7: Mass customization of products has become a common approach in manufacturing
organizations. Explain the ways in which mass customization can be applied to service firms as
well.
According to Draft, (2016) mass customization is “using mass production technology to quickly
and cost-effectively assemble goods that are uniquely designed to fit the demands of individual
customers” (pg. 640). Decades ago, Ford Motor Company painted all their Model T Fords in the
same color, black as it was cheap and lasted long; however we now live in an era where
consumers have preferences for products and services that can be customized and personalized
either to their unique needs or something that would set them apart from others. Today, we have
purchasing choices at our fingertips and with mass customization many firms can deliver to the
high expectations and demands many consumers have. Mass customization has been adopted by
various companies around the globe as it delivers unique value to their products for their
customers in an efficient manner. “Readily available information technology and flexible work
processes permit them to customize goods or services for individual customers in high volumes
and at a relatively low cost” ("Four Faces of Mass Customization," 1997). One great example of
mass customization adapted by firms is Nike. NikeiD brand allows consumers to personalize
their shoe orders online, customers can customize color, design and performance features to get
their gear exactly as they want it. “This is a major initiative as part of the company’s transition to
direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, which now represent up to 22% of Nike’s revenue” ("Can
manufactures keep up with mass customization?" 2017).
Chapter 7: A top executive claimed that superior management is a craft technology because the
work contains intangibles (such as handling personnel, interpreting the environment, and coping
with unusual situations that have to be learned through experience). If this is true, is it
appropriate to teach management in a business school? Does teaching management from a
textbook assume that the manager's job is analyzable and, therefore, that formal training rather
than experience is most important?
According to Draft, 2016, “tasks require extensive training and experience because employees
respond to intangible factors on the basis of wisdom, intuition, and experience. (pg. 280). Adding
management to the curriculum is critical as it teaches future managers and leaders how to have
the mindset of a manager and how they analyze various scenarios.
Just like in another field, for example, in nursing school, we were thought the fundamentals and
pathophysiology behind how the human body works in correlation with itself, nature, medicine,
etc, however it was not until nursing students were in clinicals did everything come together.
Onsite experience is equally important as gaining experience and dealing with management
issues to find success and failures help mold and prepare one to become an effective and efficient
manager in the future.
Chapter 8: Do you believe that technology will eventually enable high-level managers to do their
job with little face-to-face communication?
“Many U.S manufacturing companies are reinventing the factory using digital systems and lean
manufacturing techniques to increase productivity” (Draft, 2016, p. 272). Technology has
changed how we live and work in society, many top managers use data warehousing, conduct
meetings and transactions with clients and shareholders around the globe without traveling,
much more. However, “some companies are implementing email-free days to encourage
employees to conduct business on a more personal level” ("Face-to-Face Meetings in the
Workplace," n.d.).
Chapter 9: Look through several recent issues of a business magazine (Fortune, BusinessWeek,
Fast Company, etc.) and find examples of 2 companies that are using approaches to busting
bureaucracy. Explain the techniques that these companies are applying.
“Bureaucracy can best be described as a top-down approach to decision making made by an
authoritative group void of any direct feedback from the people carrying out the activities.
Today, corporate bureaucracy has the ability to limit productivity and stifle innovative
approaches to working more effectively” ("Busting Bureaucracy in the Enterprise," n.d.). Some
companies applying this approach include Dell Services and the Management Lab (the “MIX”),
Facebook, Waze, and even the Pentagon by a crowdsourcing initiative called hackathon.
“Crowdsourcing has become an important tool for businesses to leverage in a variety of areas,
including data collection, creating operational efficiencies, and general problem-solving. It has
allowed many companies to scale at an unprecedented rate, to the point where the practice has
revolutionized entire industries” (White, 2019).
Chapter 9: Do you believe that a no growth philosophy of management should be taught in
business schools?
In my option, no growth philosophy should most definitely be part of the business management
curriculum. “A business’ success is often measured by its ability to grow each year, particularly
if its goals are bound by public shareholders. The traditional management style is to make
decisions that will grow the business at all costs, but this neglects the possibility of economic
downturns and the fact that there is a physical limit to growth” ("No Growth Business," 2013). It
is important for future leaders and managers to understand all accepts of a business and how to
operate it regardless of their circumstances.
How can/should a biblical worldview be applied?
Philippians 4:9 stated, “whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—
put it into practice”; teaching and learning has always been a crucial part of our society for
centuries. In today’s era we see changes through technology development and new innovations
every day, however it is important to still hold on to what has made us in the past. Teaching and
learning from one another and from our experiences and face-to-face communication should
never be replaced with any amount of technological advances.
References
Busting Bureaucracy in the Enterprise. (n.d.). Innovate Business
IT. https://innovatebusinessit.com/busting-bureaucracy-in-the-enterprise/
Can manufactures keep up with mass customization? (2017, March 7).
FormaSpace. https://formaspace.com/articles/manufacturing/manufacturers-mass-
customization/
Face-to-Face Meetings in the Workplace. (n.d.). Small Business -
Chron.com. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/facetoface-meetings-workplace-11705.html
The Four Faces of Mass Customization. (1997, January 1). Harvard Business
Review. https://hbr.org/1997/01/the-four-faces-of-mass-customization
Jerman, A., Erenda, I., & Bertoncelj, A. (2019). The Influence of Critical Factors on Business
Model at a Smart Factory: A Case Study. Business Systems Research Journal, 10(1), 42-
52. https://doi.org/10.2478/bsrj-2019-0004
No Growth Business. (2013, July 8). Small Systems
Consulting. https://www.smallsystemsvt.com/why-no-growth-makes-business-and-
common-sense/
White, J. (2019, 22). What Is Crowdsourcing and How Does It Work? Definition and Example.
TheStreet. https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/education/what-is-
crowdsourcing-15026002
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