South Wales Business School: CwtchDenim Case Study Analysis Report

This report analyzes the CwtchDenim case study, a company specializing in denim jeans production, focusing on the challenges faced after implementing a new flow line process. It examines the reasons behind increased absenteeism and staff turnover, attributing them to factors like lack of employee skills, inadequate training, and an impersonal work environment. The report identifies Geraint's management style as consultative, assessing his performance through the lens of Fayol's functions of management (planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling) and Mintzberg's managerial roles (figurehead, leader, liaison, monitor, disseminator, spokesperson, entrepreneur, resource allocator, and negotiator). It evaluates how well Geraint fulfills these roles and functions. Finally, the report provides recommendations to Geraint, offering USW Solutions' insights to improve the situation at CwtchDenim and enhance overall organizational effectiveness. The report emphasizes the importance of adapting management styles to address specific organizational challenges and improve employee satisfaction and productivity.

COMPANY
REPORT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. Why CwtchDenim are experiencing problems in absenteeism and staff turnover following
the introduction of the new flow line process.............................................................................1
2. What style of management has been adopted by Geraint based on evidence presented in the
case study....................................................................................................................................1
3. Using the theories of Fayol and Mintzberg - assess how well Geraint is carrying out the
roles and functions of a manager................................................................................................3
4. What recommendations could USW Solutions offer Geraint so that he could improve things
at CwtchDenim............................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
An organisation is shaped by the management which provides guidance to employees
operating within its boundaries (Reid, 2019). The report is based on the case study analysis of
CwtchDenim which is an organisation specialised in production of denim jeans. The case study
charts the way in which the provision of control from organisational leader's hands to
consultancy firm led the company to a period of downfall. The resultant issues within the
premises of this manufacturing concern were acknowledged to be absenteeism, staff turnover
and wastage. The present report contains the reasons behind the company encountering issues
such as absenteeism and staff turnover with the implementation of new operational procedure.
Also, it identifies the management style adopted by the leader of the corporation. Further, it
explores the extent to which the theories of Fayol and Mintzberg are being followed by Geraint
while executing his roles and functions. At last, recommendations are provided to Geraint for
facilitating improvement at CwtchDenim.
1. Why CwtchDenim is experiencing problems in absenteeism and staff turnover following the
introduction of the new flow line process
Post the introduction of new flow line procedure at the premise of work, the problems
that were encountered by CwtchDenim were absenteeism and staff. The major reason why both
of these issues occurred was that some of the operations were automated against which the
workers lacked skills and knowledge. Further, the training that was provided to the employees in
this regard was given off the manufacturing track due to which they could not actually
understand the manner in which they could apply the learning on the plant. In addition to this,
the new factory lacked the personal feel which was there at the old factory premises because of
the pictures and motivational quotes present on the walls. The new premises was full of
corporate atmosphere which created a feeling of dissatisfaction as well as disinterest within
them. All of these reasons together led to occurrence of issues such as absenteeism and staff
turnover.
2. What style of management has been adopted by Geraint based on evidence presented in the
case study
In an organisation, there is a structured set of regulations and principles which are based
upon the purposes of planning, controlling directing and organizing. A good management is
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needed to maintain all these functions efficiently and effectively for achieving the ultimate
goals and objective of business (Fewings, 2019). Various types of management styles are there
which can be followed by a manager within the company according to the need and nature of the
business.
Here in this case at CwtchDenim there is a wide effect of consultative management style
can be viewed. As the company's higher manager Geraint has adopted the consultative
management style in each and every stage of organisation, whether it is to taking any new
decision or to maintaining a usual work cycle. This form of management is quite different from
other major management styles as its nature is not similar to a proper autocratic or a democratic
system, besides that it can be said it has a quite mixed qualities from both the styles (Myers,
2019). As in the consultative system of management, organisational leaders care about their staff
in each and every level. They are always eager to know about other employees opinions and
personal justification about the business entity as well as about its policies.
Consultative manager also makes sure to check out the responses of the subordinates on
every level regarding to any decision which is made by him (Leary, 2019). Certainly other
crucial decisions are always passed through the superior manager as often they make work
related judgements themselves. This context shows another quality of consultative management
in the CwtchDenim as it is analysed that the superior manager Geraint always consider his
workers and subordinate teams before taking any decision by himself. Another instance in
respective of this management style is in the production line of older factory each team is
separately an in-charge of its discipline and quality standards. If there is any team member who
is not working up to the mark and disgracing the team's quality standards. The whole team is
authorised and responsible to take the suitable decision accordingly at their level to improve their
performance. In certain extreme conditions the respective team leader can even ask the
supervisor or any head person regarding the termination of that specific team mate from the
team.
A perfect scenario of applied consultative style of management is observed. It is clear
from this instance that here the subordinate leaders are willing to take the participation in making
small decisions of work (Muller, 2019). However, they don't want to take proper responsibilities
on them as it is not allowed and also not suitable for the future aspects of company and its
departments.
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3. Using the theories of Fayol and Mintzberg - assess how well Geraint is carrying out the roles
and functions of a manager
There are several forms of roles which a manager executes within the premises of a
company. Performance of such roles is wholly based upon the job of a manager. To exhibit
effectiveness in relation to these roles, it is important that a manager becomes a complete
business person by gaining comprehensibility of the tactical, strategic and operational
responsibilities held by them. Depending upon the business situation, a manager may need to
become a strategic planner, coach, liaison, realist, organiser, optimist, decision maker, conflict
manager or trainer. Such roles may vary on a daily basis, however, it is important that the
manager has comprehensibility of their roles and the manner in which they can be executed
effectually (Drucker, 2019). This implies that a manager should have proper knowledge of all the
business objectives, units and goal along with their extent of accountability in relation to the
same. This would provide them with an effective way for catering to the expectations and
demands of internal as well as external human resources of firm. Geraint is the manager of
CwtchDenim and thus, he is also required to play diverse set of roles, in accordance with the
situation prevailing within the premises of the firm. In this regard, the roles and functions of
Geraint are compared to those discussed in Mintzberg's managerial roles and Fayol's functions of
management to identify the extent of alignment.
Mintzberg's Managerial Roles
A selective pattern of behaviour of a manager in an organisation can be adjusted or
modified to get optimum output from the workings. Applying various tasks and principles and
switching the roles in management of a company. Mintzberg a Canadian management specialist
claimed in his book “Mintzberg on Management” about 10 roles of a manager. These 10
managerial roles are here described within the context of CwatchDenim as follows:-
Figurehead
In this role a manager has to perform all the social, ceremonial and legal duties.
Concerning with each and every ethical, political and occasional obligation and within this a
manager have responsibilities to maintain all the dignity and organisation's values. As per the
analysis it has been found that Geraint follws figurehead role only at a certain limit which is not
quite efficient
Leader
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The role of a leader is to establish positive connections with people and to have great
communication as well as its the duty of a leader to motivate and support its employees.
According to the description of Geraint's behaviour towards his co- workers was more of a hard-
working boss rather than a good leader who works for the better growth of business irrespective
of each and every staff
Liaison
Quality of maintaining good connections beyond the functional and non functional circles
of people and organisation (Shapiro, 2019). In attaining the information necessary for the
organisational purposes Geraint had efficient skills. As he tried to setting up the the working
culture in a more corporate way with the help of other factors out of his staff and personnels like
for instance he hired consultants for the planning of forthcoming growth events.
Monitor
Managing and analysing departmental operations, their success or failure and other
aspects as well. The conflicts or problematic issues which arises adjoining with the company's
opportunities should be duly encountered by a manager at a very beginning level. In respective
of the context Geraint played effective monitoring role at qualifying the situational problems at a
initial stage
Disseminator
Role of a manager to pass on important data and information to the below level
subordinates (Stewart, 2019). Within the CwatchDenim there is only a senior manager- Geraint
who share important information with his two major subordinates who are distinctive head in
their own departments.
Spokesperson
Interpersonal beliefs and information gathering in an organisation at every level enforces
a manager to take efficient decisions. In respective with the scenario of decision making of
Geraint. The outcomes of those decisions were not proved effective and efficient.
The Entrepreneur
All the tasks which involves new innovations problem solving activities, qualifying new
ideas and most of it is to implement them are comprised in the role of entrepreneur. Geraint
being the superior authority of company, participate in limited sections of work which are relent
to him only.
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Resource Allocator
This requires the distribution of resources such as funds, time, HR, equipments (Stewart,
2019). In this relation, it has been analysed that Geraint fulfilled the managerial role of resource
allocator in an effective manner by duly allocating the resources within each department.
Negotiator
This role represents the company in major negotiations placing an impact over the areas
of responsibility of a manager. In this regard, it is analysed that Geraint lacked in undertaking
this role as he followed everything as recommended by the consultancy firm without even taking
into account its feasibility and relevance.
Functions of Management by Henry Fayol
Henry Fayol was an engineer who coined certain essential functions of manager. Fayol
has defined the 5 functions of management such as planning, organizing, commanding,
coordinating and controlling (Deepak, 2019). The managers pertaining to corporations across the
globe apply these functions in order to facilitate the execution of business activities in an
impeccable manner. The overview of functions of management are as follows:-
Planning: This is regarded to be most crucial managerial function. It aids the manager in
decision making to accomplish the task and enhance the moral of employees (Sennewald, 2020).
It is the most important function of management as it helps in optimum utilization of resources.
The biggest advantage is that it reduces overall cost and ensures that proper planning coordinate
the activities of an organization as per the requirements.
Organizing: This is a systematic process of establishing authority relationship among
people, workforce and a group which help the group to achieve the task effectively (Copacino,
2019). The main focus is to recruit right people and skilled workforce and also help in dividing
the task among the workforce according to their specialization that reduce time,
misunderstandings and duplication of activities.
Commanding: This is a very important function of management. In this, employees are
assigned their work in a understandable manner so that they can contribute their best. This
function of manager is aimed at motivating the employees so that increment in productivity of
the organisation can be facilitated. This would ultimately lead to accomplishment of goals. There
is clear cut communication between the subordinate and superior so that members are aware of
what is expected of them.
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Coordinating: This plays an important role in managing the activities of enterprise. This
function of manager brings positive harmony and ensure that everything is working well in right
place at right time (Chaffey, 2019). Coordination ensure action so that goals are achieved in an
effective and efficient manner. It is necessary to check each and every activity of organization as
many people work together to perform specific task and this is possible through coordination.
Controlling: As the name suggests, it is the process of examining the overall activities of
the enterprise to ensure progress and to perform the activities of business as per predetermined
plans. This provides due assistance in establishment of standards and measurement of actual
performance. It is then that the comparison among them is made and finally corrective action is
taken. It aids in monitoring the activities of employees so that they can perform their work
effectively and efficiently. It is a never ending activity and adapt itself changing in the
environment.
On the basis of above functions, it can be analysed that Geraint follows all the functions
of management within the premises of CwtchDenim so that the organisation works as per the
requirements of market. It is sign of effective planning only that he along with the management
decided to take the services of a consultancy firm. Further, to execute changes in the premises of
company was all part of the managerial functions of Geraint. At the time of monitoring, he
noticed that as a result of implementation of new procedures at the firm, the rate of absenteeism
increased along with wastage and staff turnover. As a result of this, the manager quickly planned
to change the consultancy firm and take help from any other enterprise which could provide aid
to CwtchDenim in getting out of the current adversities. The above discussion proves that all of
these functions were executed by Geraint.
4. What recommendations could USW Solutions offer Geraint so that he could improve things at
CwtchDenim
On the basis of analysis of the case study, it can be noticed that there are certain
loopholes within the confines of CwtchDenim which need to be corrected. For this purpose,
certain recommendations are provided to Geraint, the manager of the firm. It is suggested to
Geraint that he should make use of participative style of management instead of consultative
style of management. This would ensure that he takes the views and opinions of all levels of
management and not just the top management, as presently being done. Further, it is advised that
Geraint should conduct due research in terms of the feasibility and relevance of the suggestions
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given by consultancy company before actually implementing the same within the premise of
CwtchDenim. This would provide assistance in setting aside those suggestions of consultancy
firm which do not seem feasible or powerful for facilitating growth of CwtchDenim at market
place.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion, it can be analysed that the new systems and operations
implemented at CwtchDenim have resulted into issues of absenteeism, staff turnover and
wastage. In addition to this, it is analysed that the manager of this firm uses consultative style of
management to carry out business practices in an effective manner. Furthermore, it is recognised
that Mintzberg and Fayol have laid down roles and functions of manager which should be
followed by the manager of a company to ensure that the tasks take place as per requirements.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Chaffey, D. and et. al., 2019. Digital business and e-commerce management. Pearson UK.
Copacino, W.C., 2019. Supply chain management: The basics and beyond. Routledge.
Deepak, R.K.A. and Jeyakumar, S., 2019. Marketing management. Educreation Publishing.
Drucker, P.F., 2019. Controls, control and management. Management Control Theory, p.219.
Fewings, P. and Henjewele, C., 2019. Construction project management: an integrated
approach. Routledge.
Leary, M.R., 2019. Self-presentation: Impression management and interpersonal behavior.
Routledge.
Muller, M., 2019. Essentials of inventory management. HarperCollins Leadership.
Myers, M.D., 2019. Qualitative research in business and management. Sage Publications
Limited.
Reid, R.D. and Sanders, N.R., 2019. Operations management: an integrated approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Sennewald, C.A. and Baillie, C., 2020. Effective security management. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Shapiro, A.C. and Hanouna, P., 2019. Multinational financial management. Wiley.
Stewart, G.L. and Brown, K.G., 2019. Human resource management. John Wiley & Sons.
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