An automobile parts manufacturer was attempt ing to institute employee problem-solving teams to improve quality. This action was strongly encouraged by its biggest customer, a major auto mobile manufacturer. The competition in the orig inal equipment manufacturing (OEM) business is especially fierce. The major automobile manufac turers (Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Honda, etc.) now demand high-quality parts at extremely low costs, and they often play one amount and type of parts were produced to meet the production schedule. The TNA showed low technical knowledge among these managers, because they had been hired to monitor the hourly employees. They did not really understand the machinery and equipment and had never operated it. Most of them used a confronta- tional style in dealing with their subordinates, Case Questions 1. What is the managerial context in which these managers will be operating? Do you think train- ing designed to help managers understand the context they will be operating in will be help- ful? Why or why not? 2. What types of competencies should be devel- oped in the management training? Give your rationale. supplier against the other to force the OEM indus- try to meet their standards. A TNA of middle- and first-level production managers was conducted. These managers were responsible for the operation of the parts production system, a system that is highly mechanized and somewhat automated. The labor force in this area is primarily high-school graduates, but many have less education. The managers' responsibility prior to the change was to ensure that the hourly workers did their jobs in the proper manner and that the right because they felt that if they took a gentler approach, the unionized workforce would take advantage of them. The managers were all selected on the basis of their high need to control their environment, strong desire to achieve, and willingness to work with oth- ers to get the job done. These traits still characterize this group of managers. 3. What types of training should be used to pro- vide the different competencies? How long will it take to provide this training? Give your rationale. 4. What are the alternatives to management devel- opment? Do you think one of these alternatives should be used? Why or why not?