Write a short summary, and then answer all of the questions at the end of the case in an APA formatted paper. The summary should be one complete page. Please read the case about three times before attempting to answer any question and you will find you will get a better understanding of what is being asked of you. Please be sure to back up your answers with facts from the textbook, and put together complete and well thought out responses. I am looking for original input so please integrate your thoughts and experiences in each case assignment. Also make sure that you support and reinforce your answers and replies with factual information from the textbook, research, work/life experiences, etc.
Ben Dooley and Casey Stringer had agreed to stop for coffee in the atrium Starbucks beforeheading up to the 35th floor for a board meeting.‘‘You seem deep in thought,’’ Ben said, placing the two cups of hot coffee on the table.‘‘Watching Johnna and Robert in previous board meetings helps me to understand whythe folks in Congress can’t get anything done,’’ Casey mused. ‘‘Both sides have stated their posi-tions and nothing,nothingwill budge them. I dread this meeting. I’d rather have a root canal.’’‘‘Well, while the two giants battle it out, the rest of us will have to work out some sort ofcompromise. We outsourced manufacturing operations to China several years ago to cut costsand now things are changing rapidly and we have a major decision. Does Bishop’s EngineeredPlastics make the best of the situation in China …?’’‘‘… Or do we re-shore?’’ Casey added.‘‘Someone will have to be the voice of reason today,’’ Ben said. ‘‘Robert Ma has overseenthe outsourcing to China and, initially, it was a great move.’’‘‘I agree the cost savings were pretty amazing. The retooling and creation of a state-of-the-art factory in Wenzhou by the Chinese really propelled us to a new level within theindustry.’’‘‘Well, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, and the dragon is having a problem,’’ Ben replied.‘‘Yes,RobertisgoingtohavetofacethefactthatifwestayinChina,wehavetomovefromWenzhou,’’ Casey pointed out. ‘‘The worker shortage is bad and getting worse. The last estimates for that region were one million workers short. Aswages go up and other opportunities presentthemselves, manufacturing jobs are losing theirappeal in the cities. In our plant the managershave to come down and work on the lines. That’s not good. Now, to try to stave off a massindustrial exodus, the Chinese are offering a stimulus to industries to relocate into the interior ofthe country. The interior offers more workers and lower wages….’’‘‘And a factory move will delay manufacturing and make shipping even more difficult,’’Ben replied. ‘‘Add to that the Chinese insistence on full payment before shipping, and we’relooking at some potentially serious delays.’’‘‘Johnna, on the other hand, is going to argue that the situation in China is an indicationthat now is the perfect time to re-shore—bring the jobs back to the good old U.S. of A.,’’Casey said. ‘‘She’s going to dig in her heels on this one and you and I know that at leasttwo members of that ‘august’ board are going to back off and let her have her way with nocareful analysis of the pros and cons.’’ I sometimes think Frank is a people pleaser, alwaysagreeable, especially toward Johnna, because she is the chair. And Martha usually doesn’tsay anything, much less offer an opinion. She stares down at her hands when the going getsheavy.’’‘‘The pros for Johnna are obvious—bring jobs home when jobs are needed, shorten thesupply line, reduce shipping costs, offer faster response to customers, and, I believe, offer abetter quality product. It is worth a little higher labor cost.’’‘‘And what are the cons?’’‘‘The problems are the higher wages here and the cost of retooling factories in this coun-try that have been down for a few years.’’‘‘But,’’ Casey asked, ‘‘Would we have to build a new factory deep in China’s interior?No. And will their interior workforce be adequately trained? I would guess not. The Chinesegovernment will help with building and relocation costs, but still….’’‘‘So both Johnna and Robert have a strong argument and some glaring weaknesses. Isthere room in here for a compromise? That’s what I would like to see. They would both getsomething,’’ opined Ben.‘‘I don’t know. I’m eager to see what each one of them presents. It should be an interest-ing conversation.’’‘‘Or an afternoon in hell,’’ Ben said as the two headed for the elevator. ‘‘I wonder whatyou and I might do to help Johnna and Robert resolve this conflict. What do you think weshould do, Casey?’’
QUESTIONS
- What styles for handling conflict appear among the board members? Explain.
- What options do Ben and Casey have for helping resolve the conflict between Johnnaand Robert? What conflict styles might they adopt for this meeting?
- What suggestions would you make to help board members arrive at a good teamdecision?
Sample Solution
