a lack of Management Commitment The employees of a midsized printed circuit-boar

Question

a lack of Management Commitment The employees of a midsized printed circuit-board manufacturer had been excited about their empowerment program during its first several months of operation. A number of solid suggestions for im- provement had been made, accepted, and implemented, saving the company substantial amounts of money by reducing throughput time by 19%. During this period, the management was very sup- portive. Because of its new employee-driven competitiveness, the company became a hot item and was sold at a sizable profit. The new management team voiced agreement with the empowerment program, but it soon became apparent that management support was hollow and halfhearted at best. Within three months of the sale, employee interest in the program had died, and the program had been dissolved.

Read Discussion Assignment 8-1 at the end of chapter 8 in your textbook. Answer the following discussion questions: If you were the quality manager for this company and the employee empowerment effort had been your idea, how would you have gained commitment to it from the management team? What are some possible challenges that you might encounter when presenting your proposals, and how would you overcome these challenges? Please answer fully!!!

Explanation / Answer

Regarding the empowerment program and its benefits, I would get an interaction with the management team and put my proposal regarding the continuation of the empowerment program. It will be based upon the benefits drawn due to the empowerment program in terms of the productivity and efficiency level achieved and its conversion into increase in revenue as well as decrease in expenses. Besides, low employee turnover ratio, higher motivation among the employees as well as higher employer brand value (a reason to acquire the organization), will be presented to convince the management to continue the empowerment program.

These performance metrics are important and give sound argument in favor of the empowerment program, but it will face different challenges. The first challenge is the cultural differences. Each culture has its own characteristics and dimensions. It will act as a hindrance as management team will try to stick with their own value and while doing so, they can make it overbearing to this organization. The second challenge is the vision and goals that are being set for the organization. If it is different and nothing to do with the empowerment program, then it becomes very difficult to convince them regarding this program. The third challenge is the different organizational culture in the organization and the management team that has pursued in the past. It makes the management to let implement their ideas only and it will create conflict.

These challenges will be overcome with following initiatives.

1. The management team will be presented with the relevant data related to the benefits and cost associated with the empowerment program and its impact upon the top line and bottom line. It will also be compared with the productivity level, before the program is implemented to show the comparative picture. It will help them to understand as the profit motive is the most important motive for the management.

2. The management will be explained the cultural intricacies and impact of different culture upon the organization. It will let them understand the negative impact of making quick changes that could be demoralizing to the employees.

3. A planning for the systematic transition, and or assimilation of new culture, will be implemented with the help of carefully developed training & development programs.

4. The management team will be regularly updated the positive impact of the empowerment program, to convince them for the long term continuation.

Above initiatives will convince the management and resolve the issues and challenges.

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