Terry Douglas founded Great Household Tools (GHT) 10 years ago and the company enjoyed successful growth and employees flourished in its friendly family oriented environment. As part of its business strategy for growth, GHT purchased Fast and Quick Manufacturing (F&Q) and almost doubled its operations labour force. Experienced managers and supervisors from F&Q have taken over the day to day management of the manufacturing staff, along with a newly appointed supervisor, a former GHT lead hand. New equipment is being installed and employees are being trained. Former F&Q staff have been given these plum early opportunities. There are production quality problems, increased absenteeism and grumbling about company subsided events. Now the company has received two large orders with a third one in the works. More staff needs to be hired and integrated into the company.

1. (a) Identify and discuss the appropriateness of the leadership styles of the members of Terry’s team. (b) Identify and discuss the appropriateness of the leadership styles of the new managers of the merged teams.

2. Team cohesiveness is important to organizational success. Discuss the impact of this concept with specific reference to the leadership team.

3. (a) Identify both organizational and individual sources of conflict in this case. (b) Discuss the conflict management styles of the members of the leadership team

4. (a) Identify and discuss the change management challenges faced by GHT at this time. (b) Suggest five things that Terry and his leadership team can do to improve the current situation.

5. Identify and list the outward manifestations in company performance and/or employee behaviour that suggest that Fox is a less effective organization than it could be.

6. Using theories and concepts from the leadership, motivation, and team dynamics chapters, diagnose the main causes of ineffective organizational behaviour (1) after the sales division was split into two groups and (2) after the introduction of Tony Rice

7. If the situation had been brought to your attention just prior to the hiring of Tony Rice, what measures would you have taken to maintain or enhance the effectiveness of the group as well as the organization?

8. Given the current indications of ineffective organizational behaviour, what would you recommend be done to improve the company’s performance?