Mini Case: Harry Mitchell Is Vice President of Operations for a Medium-Size

question 71

Essay

Mini Case: Harry Mitchell is vice president of operations for a medium-size pharmaceutical firm in Gerry, Alabama. Harry has a Ph.D. in chemistry, but he has not been directly involved in research and new product development for 20 years. When it comes to managing operations, Harry has the reputation of being a "taskmaster"; he definitely focuses on the bottom line. The company does not have a turnover problem, but it is obvious to Harry and the other top managers that the hourly employees are only interested in working their eight hours per day. They are not working anywhere near their full potential. Harry is very concerned about the situation because, with rising costs, the only way the company can continue to prosper is to increase the productivity of its hourly employees.
Harry walked down the hall to talk with the human resources manager, Denise Berry. An exasperated Harry asked, "What is it with our employees, anyway? Our salary surveys show that we pay near the top of the pay scale in this region, our working conditions are tremendous, and our bennies could choke a horse. Yet, our employees are just meeting the established production standards. What is the problem?" Denise replied, "I have told you and the president on several occasions that money, working conditions, and benefits are not enough. Employees also need other things to motivate them. Also, I have been conducting some random, confidential interviews with some of our hourly employees, and they tell me that they are very discouraged. According to these employees, no matter how hard they work, they still get the same pay and opportunities for advancement as their co-workers who are just scraping by." Harry then replied, "OK, your degree is in management so you ought to know something about motivating employees; what do you suggest we do about it? We have to increase their productivity and performance."
-Explain the most appropriate theory or model of motivation that can be used to explain or understand the motivation problem in this pharmaceutical firm. In addition, describe the management style that appears to apply to Harry Mitchell.

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Definitions:

Consciousness

The condition of being conscious of one's own being, feelings, ideas, environment, and life events.

William James

A pioneering American psychologist and philosopher known for his contributions to psychology, including the functionalist approach and pragmatism.

Physiology

The scientific study of the functions and mechanisms which work within a living system.

Philosophy

The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.