WARFARE AT ADVANCED PRODUCTS Advanced Products Inc. is a medium-sized office machine manufacturing company employing approximately 400 workers. Herb Thorpe, a long-time employee who came up through the ranks, heads the Production Department. Liz Rosenberg, who was very successful in the Marketing department of an international corporation, was hired at Advanced Products as the Sales Manager about two years ago. Both Herb and Liz are on the same organizational level – they report to the President and owner, Mr. Asato. For the past two months, Herb and Liz just do not seem to be getting along. It seems like they butt heads almost all the time; it is almost open warfare between the two. The most recent problem involves a promise that Liz made to one of Advanced Products’ largest customers, Allied Insurance, for early delivery of shipment of machines. When Liz told Herb about her promise to Allied, he went into a rage. He told her there was no way he could modify his production schedule without costing the firm plenty and making the workers mad. His face contorted, the veins in his neck stood out, and he said, “This is a bunch of bull!! It is impossible. We can’t do it! We’ll see who wins this one. Let’s go to Mr. Asato!” (The following shows Liz and Herb’s thoughts about this confrontation) HERB: She has done it to me again! After I spent all last week figuring out the most efficient use of our equipment, she comes up with this impossibly stupid promise that I can’t possibly fulfill without screwing up everything. And besides, if we don’t stay on the production schedule, we will not meet our goals, nor get our bonus. Boy, would everyone be mad if that happened! That’s money out of our pockets. That woman is a menace to this company. I’ve had it! I can’t take any more of her. LIZ: These old-timers like Herb are too inflexible. How can I get my job done with people like him around? If we can’t produce the machines early, then Allied will probably go to another supplier. We could even lose them permanently. Doesn’t that old bastard know he’s screwing up the company, not to mention our sales record and commissions? If they are going to keep Herb then maybe I had better start looking around for another company where I can work with the people. Liz and Herb entered the President’s office later that day to get a decision. Herb is obviously still agitated and angry. He tells Mr. Asato, “ It’s either her or me! One of us has to go!” Liz turns to Mr. Asato and says,” I agree. It’s time for obsolete, old-timers like Herb to retire! Tomorrow wouldn’t be too soon as far as I am concerned!” Umstot, Denis. (1997) Understanding Organizational Behaviour. West Publishing. QUESTIONS (a) Liz’s decision could be described as organizational political behaviour. Which type of political behaviour (legitimate or illegitimate) would you say she has engaged in. Using evidence from the case, explain your answer. (b) Explain ONE organizational factor that could be causing Liz’s political behaviour. (c) With reference to the conflict process, carefully explain ONE (1) possible source that seems to be creating the conflict between Liz and Herb. Use evidence from the case to support your answer.
WARFARE AT ADVANCED PRODUCTS
Advanced Products Inc. is a medium-sized office machine manufacturing company employing approximately 400 workers. Herb Thorpe, a long-time employee who came up through the ranks, heads the Production Department. Liz Rosenberg, who was very successful in the Marketing department of an international corporation, was hired at Advanced Products as the Sales Manager about two years ago. Both Herb and Liz are on the same organizational level – they report to the President and owner, Mr. Asato.
For the past two months, Herb and Liz just do not seem to be getting along. It seems like they butt heads almost all the time; it is almost open warfare between the two. The most recent problem involves a promise that Liz made to one of Advanced Products’ largest customers, Allied Insurance, for early delivery of shipment of machines. When Liz told Herb about her promise to Allied, he went into a rage. He told her there was no way he could modify his production schedule without costing the firm plenty and making the workers mad. His face contorted, the veins in his neck stood out, and he said, “This is a bunch of bull!! It is impossible. We can’t do it! We’ll see who wins this one. Let’s go to Mr. Asato!”
(The following shows Liz and Herb’s thoughts about this confrontation)
HERB: She has done it to me again! After I spent all last week figuring out the most efficient use of our equipment, she comes up with this impossibly stupid promise that I can’t possibly fulfill without screwing up everything. And besides, if we don’t stay on the production schedule, we will not meet our goals, nor get our bonus. Boy, would everyone be mad if that happened! That’s money out of our pockets. That woman is a menace to this company. I’ve had it! I can’t take any more of her.
LIZ: These old-timers like Herb are too inflexible. How can I get my job done with people like him around? If we can’t produce the machines early, then Allied will probably go to another supplier. We could even lose them permanently. Doesn’t that old bastard know he’s screwing up the company, not to mention our sales record and commissions? If they are going to keep Herb then maybe I had better start looking around for another company where I can work with the people.
Liz and Herb entered the President’s office later that day to get a decision. Herb is obviously still agitated and angry. He tells Mr. Asato, “ It’s either her or me! One of us has to go!” Liz turns to Mr. Asato and says,” I agree. It’s time for obsolete, old-timers like Herb to retire! Tomorrow wouldn’t be too soon as far as I am concerned!”
Umstot, Denis. (1997) Understanding Organizational Behaviour. West Publishing.
QUESTIONS
- (a) Liz’s decision could be described as organizational political behaviour. Which type of political behaviour (legitimate or illegitimate) would you say she has engaged in. Using evidence from the case, explain your answer.
(b) Explain ONE organizational factor that could be causing Liz’s political behaviour.
(c) With reference to the conflict process, carefully explain ONE (1) possible source that seems to be creating the conflict between Liz and Herb. Use evidence from the case to support your answer.
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