Posted: September 13th, 2017

case study

case study

Order Description

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Assignment 2 Requirements:
The following guidelines should assist you as you plan and undertake your assignment:

You are asked to carefully study the case as presented, and to research and read as much as you can from literature sources that relate to the various concepts evident in the case. Literature sources can include textbooks, academic papers and business journal papers. You should use these reference sources to support the discussion you present in your assignment paper, as you respond to the four questions asked.
Identification: Please include your name and ID number at the top of the first page of your assignment paper.
Headers and footers are not necessary.
You may compile a nice cover page of your own for your assignment if you would like to – but do not include it in the word count. Please do not attach the University’s assessment cover page.
Word count: 2500 words, plus or minus 10%
Assignment weighting: 35%
References: 6 references minimum, 10 references maximum. Use Harvard Referencing Roadmap to Referencing may also be of use.

Assignment structure: Structure your assignment in the following manner:
•Introduction – this is a small general introduction for the whole assignment. Do not have an introduction for each question. Approximately 100 words.
•Discussion – respond to each of the four questions in sequence. There is no need to type out each question, just sub-head ‘Question 1’ etc. Approximately 450 – 500 words per question. Note: Each question will not take the same amount of words to adequately discuss that question, this is a guide for planning purposes only.
•Conclusion – this is a small general conclusion for the whole assignment. Approximately 100 words.

Assignment format and presentation:
•Write your responses to the questions in essay style, not dot points
•Calibri 12 point
Line spacing 1.50•
•Use margins so as markers can write comments in your assignment
•Word count – calculate your assignment word count and place after the conclusion and before your list of references. If you prefer not to include in-text referencing within the word count then please indicate this – it is permissible if you are concerned about total word count for the assignment
Seraphic Supervisors and Shifts and question
Seraphic is a small glass manufacturing company that produces glass for the building industry. The company has several lines that produce different styles of glass for nearly all national glass installations. Each year, the company produces 5 million parts that it ships to wholesalers and retailers around Australia. To produce the glass, Seraphic runs three shifts with about 40 workers on each shift.
The supervisors for the three shifts (Ken, Bob, and Cynthia) are experienced employees, and each has been with the company for more than 20 years. The supervisors appear satisfied with their work and have reported no major difficulty in supervising employees at Seraphic.
Ken supervises the first shift. Employees describe him as being a very hands-on type of leader. He gets very involved in the day-to-day operations of the facility. Workers joke that Ted knows to the milligram the amount of raw materials the company has on hand at any given time. Ken often can be found walking through the plant and reminding people of the correct procedures to follow in doing their work. Even for those working on the production line, Ken always has some directions to give and reminders for the workers.
Workers on the first shift have few negative comments to make about Ken’s leadership. However, they are negative about many other aspects of their work. Most of the work on this shift is very straightforward and repetitive; as a result, it is monotonous. The rules for working on the production line or in the packaging area are all clearly spelled out and require no independent decision making on the part of workers. Workers simply need to show up and go through the motions. On lunch breaks, workers often are heard complaining about how bored they are doing the same old thing over and over. Workers do not criticise Ken, but they do not think he really understands their situation. Bob supervises the second shift. He really enjoys working at Seraphic and wants all the workers on the afternoon shift to enjoy their work as well. Bob is a people-oriented supervisor whom workers describe as very genuine and caring. Hardly a day goes by that Bob does not post a message about someone’s birthday or someone’s personal accomplishment. Bob works hard at creating camaraderie, including sponsoring a company softball team, taking people out to lunch, and having people over to his house for social events.
Despite Bob’s personable approach, absenteeism and turnover are highest on the second shift. The second shift is responsible for setting up the machines and equipment when changes are made from making one part to making another. In addition, the second shift is responsible for the complex computer programs that monitor the machines. Workers on the second shift take a lot of heat from others at Seraphic for not doing a good job.
Workers on the second shift feel pressure because it is not always easy to figure out how to do their tasks. Each setup is different and entails different procedures. Although the computer is extremely helpful when it is calibrated appropriately to the task, it can be extremely problematic when the software it uses is off the mark. Workers have complained to Bob and upper management many times about the difficulty of their jobs.

Cynthia supervises the third shift. Her style is different from that of the others at Seraphic. Cynthia routinely has meetings, which she labels troubleshooting sessions, for the purpose of identifying problems workers are experiencing. Any time there is a glitch on the production line; Cynthia wants to know about it so she can help workers find a solution. If workers cannot do a particular job, she shows them how. For those, who are uncertain of their competencies, Cynthia gives reassurance. Cynthia tries to spend time with each worker and help the workers focus on their personal goals. In addition, she stresses company goals and the rewards that are available if workers are able to make the grade.
People on the third shift like to work for Cynthia. They find she is good at helping them do their job. They say she has a wonderful knack for making everything fall into place. When there are problems, she addresses them. When workers feel down, she builds them up. Cynthia was described by one worker as an interesting mixture of part parent, part coach, and part manufacturing expert. Upper management at Seraphic are pleased with Cynthia’s leadership, but they have experienced problems repeatedly when workers from Cynthia’s shift have been rotated to other shifts at Seraphic.
Questions
1.a) Define the path-goal theory of leadership and explain why Robert House assumed that leaders are flexible and can display any or all of the leadership ‘styles’ he identifies.
b) Describe two situational or contingency variables that moderate the ‘leadership behaviour – outcome relationship’ (in the path-goal model) – those in the environment and outside the control of the follower and those that are part of the personal characteristics of the follower.
. 2.Based on the principles of path-goal theory, discuss why Ken and Bob appear to be less effective than Cynthia. Cite specific examples from the case that support your reasons.
3.How does the leadership of each of the three supervisors affect the motivation of their respective subordinates?
4.If you were consulting with Seraphic about leadership, what changes and recommendations would you make regarding the supervision of Ken, Bob, and Cynthia?
Note: Please see page 8 of the Course Outline document for guidelines about the requirements for completing this case study assignment.
Note about Academic Integrity:
The University treats academic misconduct seriously therefore any student found using Internet provided possible answers may be awarded a zero mark for their assignment or may be suspended from the University if found purchasing assignments.
Academic research requires a student to gather their own resources about the subject matter, to read widely about the topic in question, to analyse the information provided by these academic resources by linking the information back to the questions being asked, and then writing your answers in your own words. Even if you use your own words, you still need to provide the source for where you found this information by way of an intext reference and listed in the reference list at the end of your assignment.
Academic sources include journal articles, academic textbooks and business journals. They do not include essay study sites, general webpages where the authenticity could be questioned, or Wikipedia or similar sites.
More information about academic integrity and what constitutes academic misconduct can be found in Section 9 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual (APPM) at: http://w3.unisa.edu.au/policies/manual/.