Mgmt 339 Assignment 4: Watch The BBC Documentary Video

Mgmt 339 Assignment 4please Watch The Video Bbc Documentary Amazo

Mgmt 339 Assignment 4please Watch The Video Bbc Documentary Amazo

MGMT 339 Assignment #4: Please watch the video – BBC Documentary “Amazon – the truth behind the click†– and answer the following questions. Please type your answers here, save, and submit using the Drop Box (word document). 1. What is your initial reaction to the documentary? (max. 150 words) 2. Based on what you observed, what should/can Amazon do to improve its operation? Please discuss this from all management levels – top management, middle management, and supervisory management. (max. 300 words) 3. We’ve been learning about the importance of maximizing capacity, efficiency, productivity, etc. What additional values do you find important in managing operations and why? Please discuss based on the Amazon case. (max. 200 words) Deadline for this assignment: Wednesday, July 22, 11:55pm

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Mgmt 339 Assignment 4please Watch The Video Bbc Documentary Amazo

Amazon Documentary Operations Analysis and Management Strategies

The BBC documentary “Amazon – the truth behind the click” offers a revealing insight into the operational practices of one of the world’s largest e-commerce entities. My initial reaction was a mixture of concern and admiration. While Amazon’s innovative approach and customer-centric philosophy are impressive, the documentary exposed troubling issues related to labor practices, worker safety, and operational stress. It highlights the significant pressure placed on warehouse employees, often leading to hazardous working conditions and unrealistic productivity targets. This raises important questions about ethical management and sustainable operations in pursuit of efficiency and profit. The documentary compelled me to consider how corporations prioritize efficiency at the expense of employee well-being, and the importance of establishing balanced management strategies that promote both productivity and social responsibility. Overall, it was an eye-opening depiction of the complex realities behind Amazon’s success story.

Improving Amazon’s Operations Across Management Levels

To enhance Amazon’s operational effectiveness, a comprehensive approach that encompasses all levels of management is essential. Top management should prioritize implementing sustainable labor policies and promote a corporate culture rooted in ethical practices. This can include revising productivity metrics to prioritize employee safety and well-being over sheer output, and adopting transparency measures to monitor working conditions (Cox & Blake, 1991). Middle management plays a critical role in operational execution; therefore, empowering managers with better tools for workforce planning and supporting them to enforce safety standards is crucial. Leadership training programs emphasizing ethical decision-making can foster a proactive attitude toward employee concerns. Supervisory managers, who directly oversee warehouse workers, should be equipped with skills to balance efficiency with humane treatment. Initiatives such as regular safety audits, employee feedback systems, and recognition programs for ethical conduct can improve morale and productivity. Implementing these strategies can create a more sustainable operation that aligns profitability with social responsibility (Schein, 2010).

Additional Values in Managing Operations Based on Amazon Case

Beyond maximizing efficiency and capacity, developing a culture of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an essential value highlighted by the Amazon case. CSR fosters trust among stakeholders, including employees, customers, and regulators, and ensures long-term sustainability. Ethical management practices, such as fair labor standards and environmental stewardship, contribute positively to brand reputation and operational resilience. Furthermore, fostering innovation and continuous improvement are vital in maintaining competitive advantage. These values drive companies to explore new technologies and processes that enhance both productivity and social impact. Employee engagement and well-being should also be prioritized, recognizing that motivated workers tend to be more productive and loyal. Incorporating these values creates a more holistic approach to operations management, ensuring that growth is sustainable and ethically grounded, which ultimately enhances organizational reputation and stakeholder confidence (Elkington, 1997).

References

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