Group Project Case Study 1 And 8
Group Project Case Study1group Project Case Study 8
There are two major players in the Bunco Canada case study Nicholas the director of finance at Bunco Canada, and Paul, a certified management accountant and the staff accountant at Bunco Canada (Breward, 2010). These two individuals are the central layers in the day-to-day administration of Bunco Canada and are critical to the management of the organization due to their extensive stay at the organization. These two key players' roles are very distinct due to their huge profiles in the organization. Nicholas was the director of finance at Bunco Canada. He also held other strategic roles, such as identifying opportunities for cost reduction, financial strategy, revenue growth, ameliorating controls, foreign exchange strategy, and managing transition teams for new acquisitions.
On the other hand, Paul was responsible for aspects such as plant costing, financial planning and budget analysis. Paul also acts as an informal advisor to his team members. He is a dedicated employee, witnessed by his decision to put in extra time at work and engagement in special projects that include process improvements and database optimization (Breward, 2010). Paul is so skilled in the finance area that he has become the sole expert on critical financial applications needed for monthly reporting. At times Paul is responsible for reporting on external financial reports.
The two key players at Bunco Canada, Paul, and Nicholas, share a cordial relationship. These two major players relate to each other in an executive and employee relation. Nicholas holds the executive position at Bunco Canada (Breward, 2010). He is the man in charge of making decisions. The organization appears to have only one executive, Nicholas, which gives him immense power over the organization.
Paul is the employee, or rather he is subordinate to Nicholas. The two, however, appear to share a relationship that stretches far beyond a working relationship. Due to the extended periods of working together and the excellent performance that the two have produced over the years, the two appear to have developed far more than a working relationship. A friendly relationship appears to be in the mix, as witnessed by Nicholas's caring towards Paul's disability with Crohn's disease. The most important events within the case description include Paul's disability, particularly Crohn's disease.
The disease appears to be hampering his progress within the organization, which is currently forcing Nicholas to rethink the decision to hire him as the account manager, a crucial role that Paul was eyeing (Breward, 2010). The expansion within the organization is forcing Nicholas to make decisions, in this case, tough decisions. There appears to be a moral dilemma in the case; the HR department considers promotions a legal and an ethical grey area. This is mainly because it will involve infringing on Paul's privacy, as he will be needed to prove he can become a good account manager. A medical examination would be considered invasive to Paul, which is a rather pressing ethical issue involving the disclosure of private information.
The sequential relationship includes Paul contracting Crohn's disease, which renders him partially disabled. The issue soon forces him to work partially from home. The issue starts to raise concerns within the office as the tasks that Paul was supposed to do he is no longer delivering at the normal high standards. This leads to complaints within the company by his co-workers. The company's expansion means that the company has started hiring extra employees, and an account manager is deemed necessary within the company.
Paul is an ideal candidate; however, his illness sees Nicholas choose to hire from outside. The most important circumstances that form the setting are economic circumstances and political circumstances. The position of an account manager is a rather senior political position at the company, which means the individuals holding it will be one of the most senior individuals in the company. The economic aspects or circumstances are those surrounding the continuity of the company's proper functioning, in this case, the issue of whether Paul is firm enough to handle stressful conditions, which will enable him to make vital decisions.
Discussion (Apply, Analyze/Evaluate)
Guiding change throughout business life involves critical decision-making that can determine organizational success or failure. Leaders must often introduce change proactively, ensuring smooth transitions that uphold organizational stability. The case of Nicholas at Bunco Canada exemplifies effective guiding change; recognizing the expansion pressures, he made decisive actions, including hiring externally for the senior account manager role, to meet organizational needs. This demonstrates an understanding that organizational growth necessitates change leadership that is both strategic and resilient (Kotter, 1995).
Critical decision-making is fundamental for organizational resilience. Leaders like Nicholas display decisiveness and courage, especially when making tough calls, such as choosing to hire externally despite the potential of promoting Paul. These decisions reflect a comprehensive analysis of organizational needs, employee capabilities, and strategic alignment. Effective decision-making involves assessing risks, considering ethical implications, and implementing choices with discipline (Vohra & Choudhury, 2017). Nicholas's ability to follow through with his decisions, despite personal and organizational dilemmas, emphasizes leadership discipline necessary for organizational success.
Successful execution of organizational strategies depends on disciplined planning and clear communication. Nicholas's ability to execute his strategic decision—hiring externally—indicates disciplined leadership. Resistance from staff regarding the disabled employee highlights organizational shortcomings in disability accommodation. Proper planning for disability inclusion, as well as clear policies fostering diversity, can improve organizational functioning and employee morale (Schur et al., 2018). The case underscores the importance of integrating disability considerations into strategic planning to promote inclusiveness and operational efficiency.
The perspectives of key players reveal nuanced decision-making processes. Paul’s extensive experience makes him a prime candidate for promotion, but his health limits his capacity to fulfill the role under current conditions. His decisions to continue contributing despite health challenges reflect resilience but also highlight the need for organizational support systems. Nicholas’s leadership demonstrates a balance of strategic decisiveness and personal concern, illustrating the complex interplay between ethical considerations and organizational needs (Northouse, 2018).
Organizational preparedness for disability is critical. Bunco Canada's apparent lack of formal disability accommodation policies suggests a need for systemic change. Implementing flexible work arrangements, such as work-from-home strategies, along with technological support, can foster inclusivity. Establishing comprehensive policies that provide for disabled employees’ needs can prevent organizational setbacks and enhance corporate social responsibility (Carter, 2019). Embedding disability inclusion in organizational culture is both a moral imperative and a strategic advantage.
The recruitment process for senior roles must also adapt. Reconsidering recruitment strategies to ensure fairness and inclusivity for disabled candidates is essential for equitable organizational growth. This entails adopting technology-assisted assessments, flexible interview processes, and targeted outreach to diverse talent pools. Such strategies promote diversity, enhance organizational reputation, and broaden talent acquisition paths (Roberson & Park, 2019).
Organizational work attitudes also require attention. Employee dissatisfaction stemming from over-reliance on key individuals and lack of support can undermine organizational stability. Fostering a positive work environment, promoting shared responsibilities, and reducing burnout are vital. Implementing adequate training, team development, and support structures can improve employee satisfaction and productivity (Bakker & Demerouti, 2017). These initiatives are crucial for maintaining high organizational performance during growth phases.
Leadership Intervention
The case highlights the need for targeted leadership interventions to address Paul's health and organizational inclusivity. Nutritional interventions, such as enteral nutrition, can be effective in managing Crohn’s disease. Evidence suggests that tailored nutritional support can induce remission and improve health outcomes, enabling continued employment (Caio et al., 2021). Implementing such interventions requires a coordinated effort involving healthcare providers, organizational policies, and employee cooperation.
Besides medical management, establishing a Disability Work Accommodation Policy is vital. This policy should define flexible work arrangements, ergonomic support, and supervision measures to ensure productivity while accommodating disabilities (Carter, 2019). Creating an environment where disabled employees receive appropriate support boosts morale and organizational loyalty, aligning with corporate social responsibility goals.
An actionable plan includes developing mechanisms for remote work, training supervisors on disability inclusion, and investing in assistive technologies. Regular health monitoring and flexible scheduling can further support disabled employees’ well-being. These measures foster an inclusive culture that values diversity and promotes organizational resilience (Schur et al., 2018). Proactive leadership in disability management not only enhances ethical standards but also boosts organizational adaptability.
References
- Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2017). Job demands–resources theory: Taking stock and looking forward. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 22(3), 273–285.
- Caio, G., Lungaro, L., Caputo, F., Zoli, E., Giancola, F., Chiarioni, G., De Giorgio, R., & Zoli, G. (2021). Nutritional Treatment in Crohn's Disease. Nutrients, 13(5), 1628.
- Carter, P. (2019). Inclusive employment practices for persons with disabilities. International Journal of Disability Management, 14(2), 45-56.
- Kotter, J. P. (1995). Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 73(2), 59-67.
- Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
- Roberson, Q. M., & Park, H. (2019). Diversity in organizations: A review of research and implications for practice. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40(2), 125-139.
- Schur, L., Kruse, D., Blasi, J., & Rupp, D. (2018). Disability and Employment: Evidence from the Current Population Survey. Journal of Labor Economics, 36(3), 727-785.
- Vohra, N., & Choudhury, A. (2017). Decision making and leadership effectiveness: A study. Journal of Business Strategy, 38(4), 50-57.
- Breward, K. (2010). Disability Accommodations and Promotions at Bunco. Harvard Business Review.