1
1.0 Introduction (NOTE – taken from the Ojuice case - Leadership).
OJuice is a long run, experienced company in the juice industry that is
currently facing some serious management issues. A changing environment has
seen competitors stealing the market, staff resigning and the company could be
facing bankruptcy due to the managerial leading that is currently in place. The
management issue at hand is that OJuice is too transactional in their style of
leading and instead should be changing with the environment towards a more
transformational style. As stated by Samson and Daft (2009, p.442) the most
important element to business success is leadership, and the wrong kind of
leadership can send a company into despair. It is evident that OJuice needs to
shift their style of leading in order to keep the company running strong. This
report will argue the need for Ojuice to change its leadership approach from
transactional to a more transformational style so it can regain its market
strength.
2.0 Issue Identification (NOTE – taken from the Woromby Regional Hospital case - Teams).
The issue identified is that Woromby Regional Hospital did not implement
self-managed teams properly. Indeed, a self-managed team is defined as a type
of work group, with “a high level of autonomy and decision-making
responsibility” (Tata, 2000). This means that the control of the team is
decentralized and that managers just interfere at a minimum level in the team to
provide directives on the tasks to perform (Balkema & Molleman, 1999). Also,
team members are taking the responsibilities that managers and supervisors
used to have (the planning, the organization, the direction and the staffing of the
work) (Golden Pryor et al., 2009: Kulish et al., 1993). However in the Hospital
case, it is written that the chain of command is still the same and that members
of the team do not have the ability to initiate new methods of work without the
approbation of the managers. As a consequence, there is no real autonomy and
no real share of decision-making responsibilities among team members at the
Statement of the
management issue, but
presents the argument
repetitively – not
required
Explanation, why an
issue with literature
support
Linking the issue
to the literature
Link to the case
facts and relevance
Reiterated with
further literature
support
Headings
For direct quotes use
page numbers
Page number
Case facts relevant
to the management
issue
Topic sentence
Clear statement of
the argument that
will be critically
analysed
Poor term
selection
‘Organisation’ is
a more
appropriate term
Wording - ‘Longterm focused’ is
more appropriate
Ensure
you check
Australian
spelling
- ‘s’2
hospital. It is an issue because it was shown that “organizations which closely
align their culture to support their business strategies tend to outperform those
whose strategy and culture are not aligned” (Conti & Kleiner, 1997: Rothwell as
cited in Tata, 2000). It was also shown that the more supervisors intervene with
self-managed teams, the more they obstruct effective performance (Conti &
Kleiner).
3.0 Critical Discussion (NOTE – taken from the Woromby Regional Hospital case –
Motivation – STUDENT A).
Herzberg’s two-factor theory deals with overcoming motivational issues in
the workplace with employees. Although it has been argued that it is not
relevant with cases involving education organisations or the business world
today (Gawel, 1999). The argument centred on whether Herzberg’s motivating
factors for business workers would attract the same response from teachers or
whether it was incorrect. It was found that this was not the case, with
behaviours being different between the two types of workers resulting in
different motivations, most notably the factor of money being a big motivator for
those in education circles (Gawel). A study was conducted by Bellott (1999)
involving people from the education fields of employment, asking of the
importance of each of Herzberg’s hygiene and motivational factors. The results
showed that salary was the most imperative of Herzberg’s hygiene factors
(Gawel). Furthermore, it was found that salary was the prime source of
motivation, surpassing even Herzberg’s motivational factors. This view was also
supported by Bellott and Tutor (1999). The fact that Herzberg’s work was
conducted so long ago, it has been deemed to be irrelevant in today’s business
world, along with education workers. It was also argued that workers are
influenced by hygiene factors to a greater extent in the workplace today, and
Topic sentence/
claim. The
theory/ model is
clearly stated
More information
and a cited
example of a
study to back the
claim
Citation to
support
claim
Link to the next
paragraph
Effective, deep
critical analysis,
additional literature
to add to the support
Additional literature
to add strength to
the support
For second citation
within the paragraph
no year is required3
consequently rules teachers and those in the education field to be exempt from
Herzberg’s two-factor theory (Gawel). Despite these claims, a wide range of
sources believe Herzberg’s theory is still relevant.
In opposition, it is argued that Herzberg’s theory of motivation and its
components are still relevant today and can be applied to the workplace.
Herzberg’s theory focuses around two-factors, hygiene or dissatisfiers and
motivation or satisfiers (Chyung & Vachon, 2005). Motivation of employees
cannot be lifted by improved hygiene factors, but merely reduced dissatisfaction
(Zillmann, 2000). It is argued that employees motivation levels can be raised
significantly if they are satisfied, which can be ensured with improved
recognition, achievement, responsibility, advancement and the work itself (Hinze
n.d,). Frunzi (2000) states that these motivators can influence an employee
positively by increasing their work performance. It has also been determined
that in today’s workforce, employees are willing to transfer between different
companies, not for money, but for an increase in Herzberg’s motivator factors
(Kubo & Sak, 2002). It is also argued that Herzberg’s theory is still applicable in
today’s business world because the majority of people entering the workforce
are searching for a job which has meaning and encourages self advancement
(Zillmann).
Based on the evidence, it is clear that Herzberg’s two-factor theory is still
relevant in business today and can help with the motivational issue at the
university. The argument against Herzberg claims that the research was
conducted too long ago (Gawel, 1999). This view though is questionable with
new workers still striving for Herzberg’s motivational factors (Zillmann, 2000).
Also against Herzberg was the research suggesting that people in education
supplying jobs were more motivated by money (Gawel). The issue with this
statement though is the research was conducted nearly two decades ago and
Topic sentence/
claim
Topic sentence/ claim.
Notice how the author has
shown the link between this
and previous paragraph
Explanation of why
the theory is still
relevant today with
literature support
Critical analysis
of opposing
views
Critically
evaluates
information in
the light of the
overall
argument4
with the workplace being ever changing, Herzberg’s theory is still relevant and
can be applied in business today and the university case (Gawel). In the case of
the university, the employees were already motivated and searching to take on
more responsibility by holding a conference and possibly getting more
recognition, both being motivational factors in the theory (Gawel). With the
dean disallowing their ideas, the minimal communication not only lowered their
motivation factors and overall motivation, but soured their relationship with the
supervisor, making the hygiene factor of interpersonal relations lower and
creating dissatisfaction towards their job (Hinze). These factors inevitably result
in negative changes in attitude towards work and a wanting to the leave the job.
By recognising the insufficient factors, it is possible to resurrect the situation
based around a few recommendations.
4.0 Recommendations (NOTE – taken from the Woromby Regional Hospital case –
Motivation – STUDENT B).
To provide employees with a healthy working environment and keep
them motivated the following is recommended. The top priority for the Hospital
is to improve the working environment. Ramlall (2004) indicated that an
environment that is productive, respectful, provides a feeling of inclusiveness
and offers a friendly setting will keep employees satisfied. It is said to be more
powerful as a predictor of job satisfaction than pay – a hygiene factor of
Herzberg’s theory. Kimball et al. (2006) also asserted that “[e]mployees may join
a company because of its generous pay scale or lucrative benefits package, but
how long they stay and how productive they are is determined by the
relationship with their immediate supervisor much more than their satisfaction
with pay”(p.67). With that being said, as long as Hospital employees are satisfied,
employee engagement occurs and enables the organisation to achieve high
productivity, profitability, customer service, staff retention and workplace safety
(Kimball et al., 2006). Although it is not considered a motivator, a healthy
Link to next
paragraph
Suitable
recommendation
supported with the
literature
Topic sentence
linking to the
management issue
The recommendation
has been applied to the
case5
working environment for the Hospital allows for motivators to be presented
once it is improved.
It is emphasized that motivating employees in hospital industry is crucial
because of labour intensiveness (Kyung, 2002). Therefore, understanding and
utilizing recognition is an effective motivational strategy in the case of hospital
industry. Gibson (as cited in Bhopal, 2007) stated that employees are motivated
to excel when their work and achievements are recognised. Recognition can
appear under the form of praise, bonuses or incentives (Schaefer, 2005). The
hospital can employ praise as “a powerful, yet least costly and most underused,
motivation tool” (Wiley, 1995, p.264.). In sum, with some changes in
management style, employees will be motivated when going to work every day
(Schaefer, 2005).
5.0 Conclusion (NOTE – taken from the HIH case – Ethics).
HIH clearly has a management issue of unethical behaviour and it is
important that the unethical behaviour displayed by HIH be addressed owing to
the loss of jobs and life savings that eventuated. After reviewing the literature,
the best way for HIH to solve the issue of unethical corporate behaviour is by
firstly developing and implementing a ‘Code of Ethics’ within the organization
and thereby creating an ethical climate. In addition, HIH needs to effectively
communicate this Code of Ethics to the workforce by establishing ethical
committees and an ethical ombudsman. Effective communication of the Code of
Ethics will assist top management and employees moving towards the same
goals of creating a positive ethical culture. In sum, these strategies are
recommended to be implemented by HIH, due to the devastating consequences
on society and members of the organisation when corporate failure occurs due
to unethical corporate behavior.
Link to next
paragraph and
recommendation
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and link to
previous
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Suitable
recommendation
supported with the
literature
Concluding
sentence
The recommendation
has been applied to
the case
Clear summary of the
report argument and
statement of the
outcomes
Clear links to the case
No new material has
been added in the
conclusion6
References
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Alphabetical order
of authors
Heading, centered
and separate page
Only ONE text used
Journal title
Article title
doi: used from journal
if no doi; use the URL
address7
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