Management is the Pursuit of Flexibility: Blog Discussion and Analysis

This discussion post examines the concept that management is the pursuit of flexibility, drawing on both academic and non-academic sources. The student analyzes an academic article linking energy-related strategic flexibility and energy efficiency, highlighting the role of management control systems in mitigating trade-offs between flexibility and efficiency. The discussion also incorporates the Competitor Value Framework for hotel managers. The second part of the discussion analyzes a non-academic article on part-time work, focusing on the flexibility of part-time workers and work-life balance, particularly for mothers. The student emphasizes the importance of flexibility in workload management and evaluating performance. The posts are designed to generate discussion and debate within a community of learners on the relevance and importance of the material to the topic.

Running head- MANAGEMENT
Management is the pursuit of flexibility
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Student name- David
Academic article-Linking energy-related strategic flexibility and energy efficiency – The
mediating role of management control systems choice
Journal- Journal of Cleaner Production
Authors- Mike Schulze and Sven Heidenrich
Date- August 2016
Discussion topic- Management is the pursuit of flexibility
The main proposition of this article is to establish essential linkages between the efficiency
and flexible considerations in terms of the energy management in the companies dealing with
the production of products and services (Schulzeand Heidenreich 2017). The findings of the
article indicate to the fact that management controls can be used for mitigating the trade-offs
within the flexibility and efficiency. As per the arguments of Grahovac and Krob (2018),
mention can be made of the management control systems, the design of which is effective in
terms of enhancing the efficiency in the business operations. The managers play the role of
the mediator between flexibility and efficiency.
According to the article, structural equation modelling proves beneficial in terms of mapping
the energy related strategic flexibility and control materials, which design the parameter of
management. This can be compared to the measurement of the leadership qualities of the
managers in terms of controlling the hotel business operations (Aha.org.au 2019). Along with
this, Han, Wang and Naim (2017) mentions the longitudinal secondary data, which is crucial
in terms of calculating the energy efficiency.

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Figure: Competitor Value Framework
(Source: Quinn et al. 2014)
Aligning with the assumptions of Quinn et al. (2014), I think Competitor Value Framework
can be adopted by the hotel managers for unleashing their leadership skills, abilities and
competencies. Attaining flexibility in the performance is assistance in terms of maintaining
the balance between the internal and external parameter of the behavioural traits. In view of
this perspective, management is dependent on attaining control over the performance, which
is one of an important aspect of the Framework. I think that in this process, the hotel
managers gain acquaintance to the different shades of their character, enhancing their
personality.

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References
Grahovac, J. and Krob, A., 2018, July. Tradeoffs, Capabilities, and Beyond: Pursuit of
Strategy through Operational Resources. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol.
2018, No. 1, p. 17698). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
Han, J.H., Wang, Y. and Naim, M., 2017. Reconceptualization of information technology
flexibility for supply chain management: An empirical study. International Journal of
Production Economics, 187, pp.196-215.
Quinn, R.E., Bright, D., Faerman, S.R., Thompson, M.P. and McGrath, M.R.,
2014. Becoming a master manager: A competing values approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Schulze, M. and Heidenreich, S., 2017. Linking energy-related strategic flexibility and
energy efficiency–The mediating role of management control systems choice. Journal of
cleaner production, 140, pp.1504-1513.
Aha.org.au 2019. About us. Available at: http://aha.org.au/industry-data/ [Accessed on 13th
April 2019]
Hi David,
The article, which you have selected is apt in terms of perceiving management as a pursuit of
flexibility. I especially liked your focus on the role of the manager as the mediator between
efficiency and flexibility. I think you have rightly pointed out that the management control
systems are effective in terms of enhancing the efficiency within the business operations. I
feel that along with structural equation modelling sales forecast through the supply demand
curve is effective in terms of mapping the revenue and profit margin. It gives me immense
pleasure to tell you that you did a great job by incorporating the CVF framework in case of
the hotel managers. By being creative and innovative, they can compete with the

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contemporary brands in a fair and transparent manner. This approach would enhance the
workplace culture of hotel industry.
Student name- Peter
Non-Academic article- Part-time power: Can you be part-time at the top?
Website- https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30655926
Authors- Philippa Goodrich (Business reporter)
Date- February 2015
Discussion topic- Management is the pursuit of flexibility
The article peeks in to the capability and flexibility of the part time workers to excel in their
respective fields. The focus of the article is on women, who undertake part time jobs for
devoting quality time in rearing their children (Bbc.com 2019). The option of work from
home has enabled the mothers to complete their work while looking after the nourishment of
the children. This reflects their worklife balance. 21st century reflected work patterns, which
cannot be related to any stereotypical notions.
In this article, one of an important aspect is the calculations and predictions for the working
hours and days. This calculation helps in estimating the time, which they can devote to
rearing the children. As per the arguments of Guardian.co.uk (2019), another aspect of this
article is workload management, where flexibility is crucial. Rethinking the working hours by
organizing the schedule is productive in terms of the part time work is productive. Rationality
in this aspect proves beneficial for evaluating the exposed performance. Consistency in the
evaluation is productive in terms of gaining flexibility to tackle any kind of adverse situation,
which might arise in the performance.
References

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Bbc.com2019. Part-time power: Can you be part-time at the top?Available
at-https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30655926 (Accessed on 6th April 2019)
Guardian.co.uk2019 BBC Strategy review on dynamic and flexible structure. Available at-
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Media/documents/2010/03/02/BBCStrategyReview.pdf
(Accessed on 6th April 2019)
Hi Peter,
By selecting this article, you have pointed one of the important parameters regarding the
aspect of flexibility. The focus on mothers, who pursue part time work is apt in terms of
reflecting on the issue of work life balance. I think you are right in reflecting on the
advantage of work from home option for these mothers, who can devote quality time for
rearing their children as well as completing their office works. Evaluating the performance is
effective in terms of adding value to their existence.