Bolshevik Biscuit Factory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Bolshevik Biscuit Factory - Essay Example Since 1992, Danone, although holding a majority share (87%) in Bolshevik, has had only consulting status that changes could take place only with the approval of the Russian management. Danone took full managerial control of Bolshevik from 1997. The present staff at Bolshevik are said to be apparently having problems to include the nuances of having a multicultural workforce (ibid.). This report provides some four challenges met in the case and suggests for changes so that Bolshevik may become compatible with the Danone Group, while allowing for Russian cultural context in fulfilling their objectives. These challenges may somehow overlap in some ways. The facts used in the following discussion lean heavily on the de Vries et al. (2004) case study. Challenge 1) Power structure and reaching out to all or integration. A local Russian worker said, 'We need to understand what the priorities are. This is very clear to westerners because they are working in their own system. It's not clear to us because capitalism is very new to us. It is very important to know what the consequences are for certain actions or non-achievement of tasks. We are playing a new game and the rules need to be explained clearly.' (Quoted from Camiah and Hollinshead. In: de Vries 2004). There is a need to reach out to all workers, no matter how subordinate they are in the power structure of the business. Managers must pass on relevant information to all workers in the system. This means providing equally all employees with what they need to know about career advancement, communication, leadership, management, organizational culture, power, networking, interpersonal skills, and all the other unwritten rules, norms, and cues for success (Copeland 2003). The following ideas can help integrate cultures like those of Russians who prefer a more defined corporate structure where leaders lead and employees follow, with other cultures who like much looser exchange of ideas even on coffee shops (Noik-Benet 2004) - Hold season celebrations that encompass several different holidays and observances under one banner. Establish support networks like clubs for specific groups Use multicultural calendars. Allot to staff three or four discretionary days to cover "non-majority" holidays. Hold season celebrations. Hold a diversity month. Challenge 2) Moving from diverse to diversity-aware organization. There is also the need to be trained in cultural diversity. People from a different cultural background have diverse world views based on religion, philosophy, experience. From diversity to diversity-awareness, groupings should not be emphasized but the wholeness of the organization, therefore as much as possible groups should be treated as one without impinging on the rights of subordinate groups. Diversity awareness training (Payne 2003). Diversity is said to be one of the most serious issues for workers today, but employers are not even prepared for it. They are actually "culturally deprived," not having experienced the kinds of situations arising in today's multicultural settings. Russians and Fins and Americans in Bolshevik or Danone may undergo these trainings. Diversity awareness trainings [offered by some organizations for the purpose] provide an understanding of the issues underlying cultural systems, to help improve communication and its effectiveness in distinct multicultural

Chapter 3 Review and Discussion Question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Chapter 3 Review and Discussion Question - Essay Example While most manufacturing processes are automated, the service organizations cannot adopt this process. Lastly, manufacturing demands physical location for production of products, whereas service designers are least bothered about this aspect. For a good service, the designer should keep in mind factors like legitimacy of services, access to potential clients, competitors in the market, price ranges, cost of maintaining services and demand in the markets. Mass customization refers to the combination of two business practices commonly referred to as craft production and the mass production. Being directed at providing maximum satisfaction to the customers, the practice promotes the notion of providing individualized products to customers with mass production efficiency. Although the application of the notion of mass customization appears promising, there are a number of challenges related to this concept. The challenges that arise secondary to the application of this process may be regarded as being internal complexities or external complexities. External complexities arise when customers face difficulties regarding customization of their ordered products. The uncertainty associated with this process is often the cause of dissatisfaction for the client. Internal complexities on the other hand are related to the internal functions of the company regarding designing of products that are customizable enough to meet the customer’s demands. Due to wide product range and variety that results secondary to mass customization, the company faces internal complexities that may hinder its smooth