Dynamo Industries 1111 Packerland Drive Madison, WI 53714 Staffing Consultants of Oshkosh P.O. Box 9999 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, WI 54901 DEAR PROJECT COORDINATOR: Thank you for helping us with a review of our selection process. Dynamo Industries is a medium-sized manufacturer of small electrical motors headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Our firm employs 9,800 people. Dynamo Industries has plants throughout the U.S., all of which are unionized. The power of the unions varies greatly from plant to plant. Recently the company has been trying to hire a new plant manager (see job description in Exhibit 1) for the Pittsburgh plant (plant managers report directly to the vice president of production). Although Dynamo Industries has experienced slightly above average growth and profit compared to its competitors, the Pittsburgh plant has been a trouble spot. Over the past three years, production costs there have been extremely high and labor-management relations have been strained (e.g., numerous work slow-downs, an excessive number of grievances filed). The most recent Pittsburgh plant manager was terminated although by mutual agreement the company stated he left for a better job with another company. Because of the importance of the plant manager position, Dynamo Industries has used several expensive selection devices that are described below. After a thorough recruitment effort (both within and outside the company) and some initial screening, the list of job candidates has been reduced to five names. Exhibits 2-6 contain extensive information on each of the five candidates and Table 1 summarizes the data. Dynamo Industries does not have an established philosophy for filling job openings. In the past, it has favored promotion from within the company. However, the vice president of production was hired externally. Dynamo has no policy on lateral transfers and in the recent pastsuch transfers have been rare. The key issue seems to be whether the company benefits from the transfer. Looking at the data we have collected on these candidates, the selection committee cannot reach an agreement as to who to hire, and there are significant differences in our opinions. This is not the first time this has happened at Dynamo, and because the process seems to be becoming more disruptive, we collectively decided it would be a good idea to bring in an external consultant to help evaluate our procedures and provide suggestions.

We would like you to do the following: 1. Determining Criteria for Selection: Examine the job description provided in Exhibit 1. Based on this information and what you know about the plant conditions described in the background, make a list of the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs) that you consider must haves for this position (in other words, those KSAOs that the candidate absolutely must have in order to qualify for this position) and then make a second list of those KSAOs that you would like the candidate to possess (but are not absolutely necessary for hiring). Provide a brief written rationale for your lists.

EXHIBIT 1 PLANT MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION The plant manager (PM) is ultimately responsible for the operating efficiency of the entire plant. In fulfilling his/her responsibilities, the PM regularly consults with subordinate supervisory personnel (the PM frequently delegates duties). A plant manager must be somewhat knowledgeable of the production methods and the capabilities of equipment. Some of the activities the plant manager is directly or indirectly involved in include:

1. procuring materials

2. maintaining the plant

3. controlling quality

4. using manpower

5. establishing budgets

6. revising production schedules because of equipment failure or operation problems

7. consulting with engineering personnel concerning the modification of machinery to improve production quantity, the quality of products, and employee safety

8. conducting hearings to resolve employee grievances

9. participating in union-management contract negotiations

10. ensuring safety 1

11. establishing community relations