Module
5 – Case
Controlling represents a very important function of management.
Necessary at all levels and all aspects of the organization, controls should be
applied to organizational design, planning, employee performance, etc., among
many other functions. Different types of controls are applied at various levels
of the organization including corporate office, divisions within the company,
and at the facility and department level as well.
Lack of control can lead to
costly delays, financial losses, and have other undesired consequences.
GM is a well known car
manufacturer that has been on quite a roller coaster ride the last several
years due to the economy. However, in order to compete in todays market, all
automobile manufacturers must maintain excellence in quality and utilize management
control techniques and technologies.
After reviewing your background
readings, read the following case study related to the implementation of lean
manufacturing techniques at General Motors’ (GM) Lansing Grand River Assembly
(LGRA) plant.
Case Assignment
After reading through the case
study, write a 3- to 5-page essay describing the implementation of lean
manufacturing at the LGRA plant.

To what extent does lean manufacturing help GM to control
production to meet customer needs, and how does this help to make GM
competitive?

Do you think the implementation of Lean provides a good example
of the control aspect of management?
Keri, V. B., & Marietta, L.
B. (2010). First in, first out: A case study of lean manufacturing’s
“success” in North America’s automobile industry. Human Organization,
69(3), 263-274.
Helpful
Hints:

Study the Background Materials.

Identify key concepts (main aspects of controlling, make a list
of them, and study them.

Read Business Week articles in-depth and conduct additional research,
if necessary.

Identify facts in the case that match concepts of controlling
(organizational structure (or lack of them), decision-making, financial
controls (cost-cutting) operating standards, culture).

Apply these concepts to facts in the case in order to develop
your arguments.

Please also visit the company website and conduct further
research.
Toyota has grown dramatically
and (as per article) it does not seem to have developed structures. It has also
followed cost-cutting strategies, which are financial controls.
Module
5 – SLP
Applying
business theories, models, and concepts to guide analysis of problems and
situations
In this
SLP assignment for Module 5 our emphasis will be on applying business theories,
models, and concepts to guide analysis of problems and situations, a key aspect
of the business professionals job.
Later,
in MGT499 (Strategic Management) Module 5 SLP you will continue to develop your
application of business theories, models and concepts. In that assignment you
will be working on your conceptual and critical thinking skills.
And,
finally, in BUS499 (Integrative Capstone) your conceptual and critical thinking
skills will be further developed. In Module 5 SLP of that course you will
complete an extensive written assignment.
These
three assignments build upon each other and aim to offer you the opportunity to
enhance and practice your business analytical and problem solving skills.
Mod 5 SLP
Assignment
For the
present assignment please provide an essay that identifies key organizational
efforts that are (or would be) among the most useful or important in your
chosen organization to assure control of important organizational processes.
Focus in particular on the core technologies of the organization. You can
discuss control efforts and strategies already utilized by your company, and/or
make recommendations that you believe would be useful for your organization to
consider.
Begin
your essay with a thesis statement in the introductory paragraph that
identifies what you consider to be the key organizational control efforts that
are (or would be) important to the success of your organization, and then
develop a persuasive essay to support your thesis.
Remember
to use background readings to support your key arguments and to cite and
reference your sources. Your goal is to convince your professor, who will
require some well-reasoned and well-supported arguments. Actual examples of
control and accountability systems in action and how they work in your
organization will also help to add support to your arguments, but you need to
be more than descriptive. You also need to explain how and why the the controls
work and why they are needed.
The
grading rubric below has been developed to measure student success in meeting
the MGT301 5 SLP expectations related to applying business theories and problem
solving. Rubrics for the other two courses are included in their assignments.

Assignment Expectation

Weak

Marginal

Adequate

Strong

Organization

Demonstrates the ability to
organize content logically, concisely, and in a appropriate manner to
understanding the functions of control.

There is no logical sequence
of information. Wording is rambling and unfocused

Paper does not follow a
logical sequence.

Paper follows a logical
sequence. There are some minor problems with topic transitions. Introduction
and/or conclusion are not clear.

Paper follows a logical
sequence with an effective introduction and conclusion. Each segment relates
to others in a carefully planned framework.

Demonstrates the ability to
support a central point or viewpoint throughout the paper.

Insufficient elaboration
and/or support (e.g., summaries, listings) in the paper.

Limited elaboration and/or
support in the paper.

Support with some specific
details and elaboration in the paper.

Support through both specific
details and elaboration apparent in the paper.

Content

Demonstrates the ability to
address an identifiable purpose in paperthe implementation and use of
control in the organization.

The purpose is not
identified, is unclear, or inappropriate in the paper.

Purpose is occasionally
unclear in the paper.

Clear purpose, but not
consistently sustained throughout the paper.

Clear purpose sustained
throughout the paper.

Demonstrates the ability to
gather and sort information and data on a particular subject matter or topic.

Does not have a grasp of
information and appropriate data. Topic is poorly developed. Supporting
materials are absent or vague. Trite ideas and/or unclear wording reflect a
lack of understanding of topic.

Seems uncomfortable with
information and data. Topic is evident but with little or no elaboration.

Seems comfortable with the
information and data. Topic is evident with some supporting details.

Demonstrates full knowledge
of the topic with explanation and elaboration. The topic is well developed,
effectively supported, and appropriate for the assignment. Critical thinking
is clearly and creatively expressed. Data choices are well thought out.

Delivery

Demonstrates the ability to
use appropriate word choice and grammar in the speech.

There are many sentences with
grammatical errors. Some sentences are incomplete/halting, and/or vocabulary
is somewhat limited or inappropriate.

There are a few sentences
that are complete and grammatical. Word choice is not always appropriate for
presentation.

Sentences are generally
complete and grammatical, and they flow together easily. With a few
exceptions, words are chosen for their precise meaning.

All sentences are complete
and grammatical, and they flow together easily. Words are chosen for their
precise meaning. Word choice illustrates grasp of content and enhances
presentation.

Demonstrates the ability to
make an effective speech outline that is free from bias (e.g. sexism, racism,
ageism, heterosexism, etc).

Language chosen for a
presentation is inappropriate and exhibits bias. Uses clichs, slang, jargon,
racist, or sexist language. Some readers may be offended.

Language chosen for the paper
is free from bias with one or two minor exceptions.

Language has no apparent
bias. There is some inappropriate language.

Language is completely free
from bias.

Controlling represents a very important function of management.
Necessary at all levels and all aspects of the organization, controls should be
applied to organizational design, planning, employee performance, etc., among
many other functions. Different types of controls are applied at various levels
of the organization including corporate office, divisions within the company,
and at the facility and department level as well.Lack of control can lead to
costly delays, financial losses, and have other undesired consequences.GM is a well known car
manufacturer that has been on quite a roller coaster ride the last several
years due to the economy. However, in order to compete in todays market, all
automobile manufacturers must maintain excellence in quality and utilize management
control techniques and technologies.After reviewing your background
readings, read the following case study related to the implementation of lean
manufacturing techniques at General Motors’ (GM) Lansing Grand River Assembly
(LGRA) plant.After reading through the case
study, write a 3- to 5-page essay describing the implementation of lean
manufacturing at the LGRA plant.
To what extent does lean manufacturing help GM to control
production to meet customer needs, and how does this help to make GM
competitive?
Do you think the implementation of Lean provides a good example
of the control aspect of management?Keri, V. B., & Marietta, L.
B. (2010). First in, first out: A case study of lean manufacturing’s
“success” in North America’s automobile industry. Human Organization,
69(3), 263-274.Helpful
Hints:
Study the Background Materials.
Identify key concepts (main aspects of controlling, make a list
of them, and study them.
Read Business Week articles in-depth and conduct additional research,
if necessary.
Identify facts in the case that match concepts of controlling
(organizational structure (or lack of them), decision-making, financial
controls (cost-cutting) operating standards, culture).
Apply these concepts to facts in the case in order to develop
your arguments.
Please also visit the company website and conduct further
research.Toyota has grown dramatically
and (as per article) it does not seem to have developed structures. It has also
followed cost-cutting strategies, which are financial controls.Applying
business theories, models, and concepts to guide analysis of problems and
situationsIn this
SLP assignment for Module 5 our emphasis will be on applying business theories,
models, and concepts to guide analysis of problems and situations, a key aspect
of the business professionals job.Later,
in MGT499 (Strategic Management) Module 5 SLP you will continue to develop your
application of business theories, models and concepts. In that assignment you
will be working on your conceptual and critical thinking skills.And,
finally, in BUS499 (Integrative Capstone) your conceptual and critical thinking
skills will be further developed. In Module 5 SLP of that course you will
complete an extensive written assignment.These
three assignments build upon each other and aim to offer you the opportunity to
enhance and practice your business analytical and problem solving skills.Mod 5 SLP
AssignmentFor the
present assignment please provide an essay that identifies key organizational
efforts that are (or would be) among the most useful or important in your
chosen organization to assure control of important organizational processes.
Focus in particular on the core technologies of the organization. You can
discuss control efforts and strategies already utilized by your company, and/or
make recommendations that you believe would be useful for your organization to
consider.Begin
your essay with a thesis statement in the introductory paragraph that
identifies what you consider to be the key organizational control efforts that
are (or would be) important to the success of your organization, and then
develop a persuasive essay to support your thesis.Remember
to use background readings to support your key arguments and to cite and
reference your sources. Your goal is to convince your professor, who will
require some well-reasoned and well-supported arguments. Actual examples of
control and accountability systems in action and how they work in your
organization will also help to add support to your arguments, but you need to
be more than descriptive. You also need to explain how and why the the controls
work and why they are needed.The
grading rubric below has been developed to measure student success in meeting
the MGT301 5 SLP expectations related to applying business theories and problem
solving. Rubrics for the other two courses are included in their assignments.Assignment ExpectationWeakMarginalAdequateStrongOrganizationDemonstrates the ability to
organize content logically, concisely, and in a appropriate manner to
understanding the functions of control.There is no logical sequence
of information. Wording is rambling and unfocusedPaper does not follow a
logical sequence.Paper follows a logical
sequence. There are some minor problems with topic transitions. Introduction
and/or conclusion are not clear.Paper follows a logical
sequence with an effective introduction and conclusion. Each segment relates
to others in a carefully planned framework.Demonstrates the ability to
support a central point or viewpoint throughout the paper.Insufficient elaboration
and/or support (e.g., summaries, listings) in the paper.Limited elaboration and/or
support in the paper.Support with some specific
details and elaboration in the paper.Support through both specific
details and elaboration apparent in the paper.ContentDemonstrates the ability to
address an identifiable purpose in paperthe implementation and use of
control in the organization.The purpose is not
identified, is unclear, or inappropriate in the paper.Purpose is occasionally
unclear in the paper.Clear purpose, but not
consistently sustained throughout the paper.Clear purpose sustained
throughout the paper.Demonstrates the ability to
gather and sort information and data on a particular subject matter or topic.Does not have a grasp of
information and appropriate data. Topic is poorly developed. Supporting
materials are absent or vague. Trite ideas and/or unclear wording reflect a
lack of understanding of topic.Seems uncomfortable with
information and data. Topic is evident but with little or no elaboration.Seems comfortable with the
information and data. Topic is evident with some supporting details.Demonstrates full knowledge
of the topic with explanation and elaboration. The topic is well developed,
effectively supported, and appropriate for the assignment. Critical thinking
is clearly and creatively expressed. Data choices are well thought out.DeliveryDemonstrates the ability to
use appropriate word choice and grammar in the speech.There are many sentences with
grammatical errors. Some sentences are incomplete/halting, and/or vocabulary
is somewhat limited or inappropriate.There are a few sentences
that are complete and grammatical. Word choice is not always appropriate for
presentation.Sentences are generally
complete and grammatical, and they flow together easily. With a few
exceptions, words are chosen for their precise meaning.All sentences are complete
and grammatical, and they flow together easily. Words are chosen for their
precise meaning. Word choice illustrates grasp of content and enhances
presentation.Demonstrates the ability to
make an effective speech outline that is free from bias (e.g. sexism, racism,
ageism, heterosexism, etc).Language chosen for a
presentation is inappropriate and exhibits bias. Uses clichs, slang, jargon,
racist, or sexist language. Some readers may be offended.Language chosen for the paper
is free from bias with one or two minor exceptions.Language has no apparent
bias. There is some inappropriate language.Language is completely free
from bias.