Future at Galaxy
Assignment 1 Role of Manager and Impact of Organizational Theories on Managers
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Instructions
Assignment1 The Role of The Manager and The Impact of Organizational Theories on Managers (Week 3)
Purpose:
In the first assignment students are given a scenario in which the shipping manager who has worked for Galaxy Toys Inc. since 1969. The scenario serves to set the stage for students to demonstrate how management theories have changed over time. For example management 30 years ago is different than management in the 21stcentury.
Outcome Met by Completing This Assignment:
Instructions:
In Part One of this case study analysis students are to use the facts from the case study to determine two different organization theories that are demonstrated. For Part Two students will compare the 21stcentury manager to that of the main character in the case study and the implications of change in being a 21stcentury manager.
In selecting aschool of thought and anorganizational theory that best describes the current shipping manager students will use the timeline to select a school of thought and a theory or theories of that time frame. Students will use the course material to respond to most of the assignment requirements but will also need to research the theorist(s) and theories to complete the assignment. Students are expected to be thorough in responding.
In Part Two students are going to take what they have learned and compare the management skills of the 21st century shipping manager to the skills of the current shipping manager.
Step 1:Review How to Analyze a Case Study under Week 3 Content.
Step 2: Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is double-spaced 12-point font. The final product will be between 4-6 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page.
Step 3:Review the grading rubric for the assignment.
Step 4: In addition to providing an introduction students will use headings following this format:
Step 5: In writing a case study the writing is in the third person. What this means is that there are no words such as I me my we or us (first person writing) nor is there use of you or your (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person view this link:http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person. Also note that students are not to provide personal commentary.
Step 6: In writing this assignment students are expected to support the reasoning using in-text citations and a reference list. If any material is used from a source document it must be cited and referenced. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa. View the sample APA paper under Week 1 content.
Step 7: In writing this assignment students willuse resources from the course material and no more than 2 external source documents.NOTE: The expectation is that students provide a robust use of the course material.
Step 8: In completing the assignment students are expected to use the facts from the case study and company profile paired with the weekly courses readings to develop the analysis. View the company profile here: Galaxy Toys Inc. Company Profile.
Step 9:In writing this assignment students are expected to paraphrase and not use direct quotes. Students are expected to paraphrase which can be learned by reviewing this link:https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html
Step 10: In writing this assignment students may use external resources to address the school of thought and the theorist but the majority of resources (a minimum of 3 courseresources) will come from the course material.
Step 11: Read critically and analyze the following scenario:
Part One
Scenario:
The shipping manager for Galaxy Toys Toledo Ohio branch Bart Aldrin has been in his job since 1969. Prior to coming to Galaxy Bart worked as shipping clerk for International Shipping a large container company. Bart quickly rose to supervisor at International Shipping because of his ability to plan daily work provide detailed instructions to workers that helped optimize the way tasks were performed and his knack of implementing processes so workers could be trained to perform their specialized sequence of motion in the most efficient way. He brought this management style to Galaxy which helped to improve the methodology of toy assembly as well as the shipping processes.
A major shift in management occurred in the late 1980s and early 90s that caused Bart (and other managers) to reconsider their management approach. For example heightened competition advances in technology the workers threat to unionize their greater demand for employee management participation work-life balance and a general shift in employee workplace values all affected the culture of Galaxy. A greater focus on employees led to a new approach to management at Galaxy: people focus. The owners of Galaxy embraced diversity and were willing to hear the ideas of employees and this was change in attitude and culture was evident in Bart who embraced these changes wholeheartedly. These internal changes enabled the company to adapt to uncertainty and to respond to its competitors more quickly.
Answer the required assignment elements making sure that the facts of the scenario and the course readings support the reasoning of the answers provided.
Part Two
Scenario:
Recently Bart announced his plans to retire. His replacement is Joyce Barnhart. Joyce is confident as a 21stcentury manager that she is capable of handling the new position as manager.
Step 12: Create the introductory paragraph. Within this paragraph provide a brief overview of the scenario. Then provide a thesis statement and tell the reader the main topics covered in the paper. The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper but is typically written after writing the body of the paper (Questions students responded to above). View this website to learn how to write an introductory paragraph:http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html
Step 13: Respond to the questions in Part One and Part Two following the format provided. Be clear and concise in the writing and make sure the questions are comprehensively answered.
Step 14:Using the grading rubric as a comparison read through the paper to ensure all required elements are presented.
Step 15:Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues and third person writing.
Step 16: Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder.
Assignment 2:Planning the Future at Galaxy(Week 6)
Purpose:
In the secondassignment students will create a SWOT analysis and provide a detailed explanation of what considerations led to the determination of the SWOT components. Students will then make recommendations and explain what factors were considered in making the recommendations.
Outcome Met by Completing This Assignment:
integrate management theories and principles into management practices
employ effective planning processes to develop strategies goals and objectives in order to enhance performance and sustainability
identify the essential characteristics of decision making and indicate the range and types of decisions a manager makes
Instructions:
Step 1:Review How to Analyze a Case Study under Week 3 Content.
Step 2: Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document. This papershould be presented in a professional manner double-spaced with indented paragraphs. The final product will be between 6-8pages in length excluding the title page and reference page.
Step 3:Title page with your name the course name the date and the instructors name.
Step 4: In writing a case study the writing is in the third person. What this means is that there are no words such as I me my we or us (first person writing) nor is there use of you or your (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person view this link:http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person. Do not include personal commentary.
Step 5: In writing this assignment students are expected to support the reasoning using in-text citations and a reference list. If any material is used from a source it must be cited and referenced. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa. View the sample APA paper under Week 1 content.Step 6: In writing this assignment students are expected to paraphrase andnotuse direct quotes. Learn to paraphrase by reviewing this link:https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html
Step 6: In writing this assignment students willuse resources from the course material and no more than 2 external source documents.NOTE: The expectation is that students provide a robust use of the course material.
Step 7: In completing the assignment students are expected to use the facts from the case study and company profile paired with the weekly courses readings to develop the analysis. View the company profile here: Galaxy Toys Inc. Company Profile.
Step 8:Review the grading rubric for the assignment.
Step 9: Read critically and analyze the case study provided under Week 6content. Notate the key points in the case study.
Step 10: Create the introductory paragraph.
The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper but is typically written after writing the body of the paper (Questions students responded to above). View this website to learn how to write an introductory paragraph:http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html
Step 11: Respond to the required elements of the assignment. Be clear and concise in the writing and make sure the questions are comprehensively answered.
Review the main case study located under week 6 content.
Part One:Long Term Planning Goals and Decisions
The toy industry is very fickle and innovation is critical. Sales for January 2016 showed only a 3% rise over January 2015 leaving the company managers concerned about meeting projected sales targets for 2016. In a 30-month plan George Jepson Jr. as CEO together with Edward Mercury CFO set long-term goals for the company to include the following:
increase sales unrelated to NASA toys by 22 percent;
reduce company-wide costs by 5 percent within 15 months and 11.2 percent by the end of the plan;
create new technology based action toys;
use innovative technology in production to increase efficiency;
reduce carbon footprint by 5 percent.
In November 2015 the long term planning team began to select the newest Galaxy product line. The choice of the right product design will hopefully stop the slump in sales and jump start growth. Tomorrow February 4 2016 is the final meeting of the planning team. The team will choose between three options:
produce 1 millionPayload Nine toysorMMTJE1for Christmas 2016;
produce 1 millionPayload Nine toysfor Christmas 2016 and 1 millionMMTJE1for Christmas 2017;
produce 1.5 millionMMTJE1 toysfor Christmas 2017.
The products have different production requirements.Payload Nineis designed to complement theInternational NASA Space Stationseries.Payload Nineis geared to the 7-10 age group and contains building blocks to make the space shuttle with emphasis on the cargo hold and its loading arm.
Focus group results suggest thatPayload Ninewill sell well but it is not a wow product in the eyes of the group. It is not a trendsetting toy. The introduction ofPayload Nineis estimated to jump NASA sales by 6.8%. Payload Nine requires little change on the production floor and supplies are easily obtainable. Production could begin May 1 2016 and completed in time for the Christmas toy market. No additional personnel would be needed and existing production would not be delayed. Production costs would fit within the current years budget.
The other project Moon Mission to Jupiters Europa (MMTJE1)is a 3D engineered of the Curiosity vehicle used to. explore Mars. The toy is operated remotely allowing a child and parent to launch the capsule Juno 1 craft 500 ft. in the air unload the rover calledGalileoand move it along all terrain surfaces.Galileotakes pictures remotely and sends them to a cell phone. The toy is geared for the age 11-15 market but can be used with younger children as long as there is adult supervision. The toy is made from a 3D printer and consists of a plastic capsule and rover base with electronics added separately in production. [Not sure what 3D printing is viewhttp://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/]
Focus group results suggest that it is a wow product and would also encourage sales of related toys and books as Jupiters Moon Europa has been deemed by scientists as the most accessible and likely place to support habitable life as we know it to be. Children can view pictures and imagine a Moon currently covered in ice as a new space frontier adventure. An interactive video game is also envisioned. It will also be the first intergalactic action toy that Galaxy Toys has ever produced.MMTJE1is estimated to bring a 15% increase in unrelated NASA sales if rolled out in 2016 and 21.6% increase if rolled out in 2017. HoweverMMTJE1is not production-friendly at this point.
The new production equipment electronics computer programming and trained personnel would not see production beginning before November of 2016. Anticipated budget costs of $450000 necessitating a budget increase of $300000 over all five plants would be needed. In order to meet the October deadline for Christmas 2016 sales additional manpower would be needed with a cost increase of 20% over the projected $450000 budget costs. In addition the push would necessitate significant rescheduling of current production and likely require factory workers to put in overtime. Finally the rush would be predicated on the assumption that production problems would not occur.
Part One:Long Term Planning Goals and Decisions
Keith Wisternick VP of Production has the job of aligning all the production teams for Galaxy Toys and more specifically he is the person that ensures that each of the plants are capable of producing toys that meet the quality standards of Galaxy Toys in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Also part of Keiths job is to provide valuable input into the long-term planning process of the company. Every two years Keith and his counterparts in the other departments meet to determine the new product line for the upcoming two years. They are presented with new ideas that have been developed by the Design and Engineering Department.
After soliciting input for recommendations on the toys that would most likely meet the companys future objectives the Board of Directors narrowed the choices toPayload NineandMoon Mission to Jupiters Europa 1 (MMTJE1).
As VP of Production Keith is very aware that his recommendation and vote lends great influence to the outcome. Lucky for Keith he is not expected to provide his recommendation without first delegating some researching responsibilities to others. One person that he relies upon for research and analysis is Itza Yu who is a Production Manager. Yu has been tasked with creating a SWOT analysis for Keiths review. However Yu has not had any prior experience with creating this type of information. Keith has provided the following source to help him:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm
Required Elements for Part One:
Using the facts that have been provided students should assume the role of Itza Yu and create the SWOT analysis for Keith.
To further assist Keith Itza Yu must also provide a detailed explanation as to what considerations led to the determination that certain facts should be classified as strengths while others were classified as weaknesses. In other words its not enough to simply list various strengths and weakness but instead Itza Yu must explain why these facts were included in the analysis.
Lastly Itza Yu must select the best long term planning decision for Keith’s approval. In this report Itza Yu must explain the analysis and factors used in evaluating the vision mission long-term goals and SWOT analysis of the company that led to the conclusions that formed the basis of the decision that Keith would recommend to the Long-term Planning Committee.
Part Two:Short Term Production Goals and Objectives
The Board of Directors has decided to accept the recommendation to roll out the Moon Mission to Jupiters Europa 1 for the holiday season of 2017. In a virtual meeting led by Itza Yu the production managers have had a brainstorming session and have created a list of short-term goals and objectives.
In reviewing the list Itza Yu noted that some of the items on the list are sound short-term goals and objectives while others are not and therefore should be removed. He also noted that some of the items do not fit well with the companys vision and mission and will need to be eliminated.
Assuming the role of Itza Yu students must determine whether the items on the list are goals or objectives and whether they should be adopted or abandoned. The list is as follows:
Short Term Goals and Objectives List
Production of quality MMTJE1 toys must start February 20th 2017.
Production of quality MMTJE1 toys must start by July 1 2017.
Dates for starting production set.
Completion dates for new personnel hire set.
MMTJE1 quality toys production.
Additional personnel must be hired by February 20th2017.
Materials must be state of the art.
Completion dates for material purchase and delivery set.
3D printers must be purchased by February 20th 2017.
3D printers must be purchased and installed by November 1 2016
The first MMTJE1 toys should be produced by December 1 2016.
QC should evaluate first toys by December 31 2016.
Completion dates for QC standards will be determined by QC.
Safety standards should be determined by QC by May 1 2016.
Materials must be purchased by and delivered by July 1 2016.
New packages should be palletized by May 1 2017.
Personnel for all production functions must be organized by March 31 2016.
Shipping should begin immediately upon the nod from Quality Control.
Shipping should begin July 1 2017.
Shipping start dates should be determined.
IT must confirm programming for 3D printers is complete by June 1 2016.
3D machine operators must be trained by October 31 2016.
Completion dates for 3D programming training and installation set.
Maintenance for 3D printers must be done daily.
Personnel must be cross trained on the 3D printers.
Training on new equipment must be done by October 31 2016.
Marketing will determine shipping start date.
Dates for personnel hire set.
Required Elements for Part Two:
From the list above students should generate three lists. The first list should be a selection of appropriate short-term goals. The second list should be a selection of appropriate objectives. The third list should be those other goals and objectives that have been abandoned.
In completing this task students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the difference between goals and objectives and their choices should reflect this understanding.
Moreover students are required to clearly explain their reasoning for the selection (of certain goals and objectives) and the abandonment of others. This analysis will be very helpful to Keith Wisternick and the Board of Directors of Galaxy Toys Inc.
Step 13:Using the grading rubric as a comparison read through the paper to ensure all required elements are presented.
Step 14:Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues and third person writing.
Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;
Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper;
Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC). The EWC will provide 4-6 areas that may need improvement.
Step 15: Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder.
Assignment 3: Implementing and Evaluating the Future at Galaxy Toys Inc. (Week 8)
Purpose:
Continuing with the saga of Galaxy Toys Inc. the third assignment covers the last three functions of the P-O-L-C Organizing Leading and Controlling. Students will look at the production floor of Galaxy Toys Inc. through the lens of the organizing function create an organizational chart and assess the decision making authority associated with the organizational structure. Students will then assess change and discuss motivation from a leadership perspective and delve into the controlling function by looking and project specifications interpreting data and assessing corrective measures.
Outcome Met by Completing This Assignment:
integrate management theories and principles into management practices
organize human physical and financial resources for the effective and efficient attainment of organization goals
demonstrate leadership skills by communicating a shared vision motivating and empowering others and creating a culture of ethical decision-making and innovation
develop measures and assess outcomes against plans and standards to improve organizational effectiveness
identify the essential characteristics of decision making and indicate the range and types of decisions a manager makes
Instructions:
Step 1: Review How to Analyze a Case Study under Week 3 Content.
Step 2: Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document. This paper should be presented in a professional manner double-spaced with indented paragraphs. The final product will be between 8-10 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page.
Step 3: Title page with your name the course name the date and the instructors name.
Step 4: In writing a case study the writing is in the third person. What this means is that there are no words such as I me my we or us (first person writing) nor is there use of you or your (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person view this link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person. Do not include personal commentary.
Step 5: In writing this assignment students are expected to support the reasoning using in-text citations and a reference list. If any material is used from a source document it must be cited and referenced. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa. View the sample APA paper under Week 1 content. NOTE: The expectation is that students provide a robust use of the course material.
Step 6: In writing this assignment students are expected to paraphrase and not use direct quotes. Students are expected to paraphrase which can be learned by reviewing this link: https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html
Step 7: In completing the assignment students are expected to use the facts from the case study paired with the weekly courses readings to develop the analysis. View the company profile here: Galaxy Toys Inc. Company Profile.
Step 8: In writing this assignment students will use mostly resources from the course material and no more than 3 external source documents.
Step 9: Review the grading rubric for the assignment.
Step 10: Read critically and analyze the case study provided under Week 6 content. Notate the key points in the case study.
Step 11: Create the introductory paragraph.
The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper but is typically written after writing the body of the paper (Questions students responded to above). View this website to learn how to write an introductory paragraph: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html
Step 12: Respond to the required elements of the assignment. Be clear and concise in the writing and make sure the questions are comprehensively answered.
Review the main case study located under week 8 content.
Part One-Organizing
Now it is time for all production managers to begin the organizing process. Doing so requires that managers collect the people resources and capital to begin production in a way that will implement the short-term production goals and objectives set through planning. The deadline for production to begin is January 31 2017. Christmas product shipping must start in July of 2017. The budget for each branch is $300000 for the total production budget. Currently the production staff includes a total of 124 employees per day shift and 91 at night per plant for a total of 215 employees. Most tasks are covered in both shifts. Current production and shipping personnel per task include:
Positions
# of Day Shift
Workers
# of Night Shift Workers
Machine Operators
10
5
Machine Maintenance
3
5
Assembly Line Staff
75
60
Electronics Specialists
10
3
Packagers
10
5
Floor Supervisors
1
1
Production IT (computer machine)
1
1
Fork Lift Operators
10
10
Shipping Schedulers
1
0
Plant Maintenance
2
1
Administrative Support
Material Purchase/Secretary
1
0
To complete the Moon Mission to Jupiters Europa 1 project it is projected that additional personnel are needed: Two 3D printer operators for the day shift and two for the night shift. Additionally instead of having an on-call position for production IT a full-time night position is needed.
The design and engineering department has provided the product specifications including materials sizes and 3D printers and one person per shift to produce the product. Trained personnel are needed for operating the 3D printers. The cost of one complete Moon Mission to Jupiters Europa 1 product is set at $7.56 which includes packaging. The 3D printers will produce the completely assembled piece including electronics and packaging in 7.36 minutes and will cost $6100 per printer. Trained personnel are needed to operate the printers.
Required Elements for Part One:
Assuming the role of Itza Yu explain the role of a manager in the organizing phase of the POLC and identify and discuss five major issues that Itza Yu must address in organizing the production floor for both existing production and the new project.
One of the areas of discussion that must be included in the organizing phase is that of aligning people to the task of production. Create an organizational chart that shows how Yu would organize the people and jobs on the production floor. Discuss why and how the organizational chart was created. This organizational chart will be used as the template for the other branches within the organization so be sure the structure of the production floor aligns with the organization of the company.
Once you have created the chart identify the decision making authority for those individuals on the chart. Explain why the structure was chosen and how it best serves the decision making flow for the production floor and the company as a whole.
Part Two-Leading Motivation
During the course of production older line staff and machine workers began to see the speed and accuracy for which the 3D printers made its product. An obvious concern began to surface among the workers. The workers began to ask Will I still have a job next year? Morale of plant workers began to suffer. Itza Yu knows that this concern must be addressed and morale needs to be improved. As the manager Yu know that the business must innovate to keep growing. How can Yu improve morale?
Required Element for Part Two:
Acting as Joyce Barnhart what advice should she give to Yu? In discussing the advice first identify the reasons for the morale problem and how they affect motivation. Be sure to address change and the workers reaction to implementing change.
Discuss the actual ideas and the specific ways Yu should take to motivate his existing employees that will build morale and keep production levels on track for the current contracts and the new project.
Part Three-Control:
3A)
The following chart displays the results of the first years production of MMTJE1. It was created from data supplied by all the company production department managed by Keith as a means of controlling production output. It is used by the VP in his evaluation of areas of improvement change or success to processes used by the production department in the production of MMTJE1. The chart describes the standard goal (identified as standard) set by the department and the result each branch obtained. A comparison of the standard to the results allows the reader to form conclusions about the success or failure of the production department to meet the goals envisioned by the company. It also allows the reader to recognize patterns from the data from which conclusions can be drawn as to the relationship between elements (e.g. cost expended vs time expended; those who spent more time had a higher cost).
Specifications
Standard
Toledo
Dayton
White Plains
Huntsville
Juarez
Cost
7.56
7.67
7.87
7.45
7.52
8.01
Time
7.36
7.32
7.46
7.31
7.32
7.59
Quality Control Problem Ratio (per 500 units)
1
2.5
4
1.5
1.75
8.75
Training Time (per hour)
30
35
38
45
48
25
Shipping Problems/Damage (per 10000 units)
1
0.333
0.222
0.133
0.178
0.4
3D Problems (per 10000 units)
0.2
0.25
0.286
0.111
0.1
0.4
Total Number of Pieces Produced per year
400000
500000
500000
650000
700000
450000
Compare the standard specifications data set with the results from each of the results for the five branches.
Interpret the results for the new product production chart above. Detail the areas that need improvement as well as those positive conclusions the data suggests.
Define what corrective action means to the manager in the control function of the POLC.
Do you suggest Keith take if any corrective action for this report?
3B):
The next meeting of the long term planning team for Galaxy Toys is scheduled for next week. All the VPs will be there and a report must be given by all as to the viability of the Moon Mission Jupiters Europa 1 toy roll out and the success or failure of the long term goals and objectives.
Keith reviewed his meeting notes with his branch managers when the production results came out. The managers seemed to all talk at once. Most all the managers seem to feel that the project was well worth the effort. It appears that many managers felt that training on the 3D printer in terms of repair and maintenance was the biggest problem. Mexicos manager Hernando Gonzalez said that they lost their trained personnel to a software company and had difficulties finding replacements. The company who supplied the 3D printers provided initial training but follow up training thereafter proved a problem when personnel turnover increased. Gonzalez explained that there is a serious shortage of skilled IT personnel in Juarez. Consequently finding qualified workers and keeping people without paying more than budget is a major problem. As a result both the production and the IT departments are losing money. Getting a full time IT night worker is impossible without a serious budget increase.
Prepare a report for Keith to present to the planning team. The following points must be addressed in the report:
Using the conclusions drawn from the chart in part two as well as Keiths notes from the meeting (noted above) with the branch managers on the production results identify at least three conclusions that have potential concern for the long-term future of the project and or company.
Explain why and how each of the factors chosen would affect the future long-term strategic planning. Examine the relationship between the control process and long term planning as part of the explanation
Offer recommendations for solutions that might be introduced along with the issues to the planning committee to address the implications of the factors chosen.
Step 13: Using the grading rubric as a comparison read through the paper to ensure all required elements are presented.
Step 14: Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues and third person writing.
Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;
Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper;
Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC). The EWC will provide 4-6 areas that may need improvement.Step 15: Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder