a case study on the hovey and beard company

2.  Into the manufacturing of wooden toys
 Painting was done by hand
 As the demand increased, so new technology was introduced
 Learning bonus was given to understand the new technology
 After 2 months many problems arised
 Solutions we offered by the consultant and engineers
 After the solutions the production increased
 Painters where enjoying high bonus
 Unrest in rest of the organization

3. Q1.How does the painters job score on the core
job characteristics before and after changes
were made? How can the positive impact of
job redesign be explained?

4. Before
 Ventilation
 Job was dirty
 Hooks were empty
After
 Proper ventilation with large fans
 Speed of the belt carrying the toys was adjusted
 Efficiency of the workers increased
Positive impact
 Efficiency increased after ventilation issue was solved
 Speed of the belt was adjusted so that the painters were able
to work for the whole day in a systematic manner

5. Q2.Was the learning bonus handled properly in
this case? How can its motivational impact be
explained? What alternative approaches could
have been taken with similar motivational
results?

6. No, the learning bonus was not handled properly in this case
It should have been constant so that the painters remained
motivated for 6 month and every month there had to be
increase in production, then only they would get bonus.
For example: for the initial month the output would be set at
60% and for the coming months the output should increase by
at least 5% then only they would be given learning bonus

7. Q3. How do you explain the situation described
in the last paragraph of case? How could this
outcome have been avoided by appropriate
managerial action?

8. Due to increase in the bonus of the painters, other workers in
the organisation were not happy . The difference between
earnings of the painters and other workers in the plant were
huge. There were ego clashes due to the bonus that was
received by the painters. Due to this the management and the
superintendent revoked the learning bonus and returned the
painting to its original status.
It could have been avoided by giving appropriate bonus to
other workers in the organisation.

9.  Proper working conditions in the organization
 Giving proper time to workers to understand new technology
 Not offering high bonus on the very first instance
 Decisions should be taken by the management in such a way
that the organization develops as a whole