Organizational Behavior Case Study: Cheetham and Wynne Law Firm

This case study report analyzes the organizational behavior of the Cheetham and Wynne law firm, focusing on the implementation of an open-plan office design and its impact on employees. The report examines the drawbacks of this design, including chaotic environments, loss of privacy, and communication barriers. It explores the power dynamics within the firm, particularly the roles of partners Mark and Cathy, and their use of power in motivating and correcting employees. The study suggests approaches to mitigate employee resistance, such as involving staff in decision-making, providing additional amenities, and fostering open communication. Furthermore, the report identifies communication barriers and proposes strategies to reduce noise and improve interactions. The analysis concludes with an evaluation of the tactics employed by the firm, such as the open business plan and financial aid, and their effectiveness in shaping employee behavior and satisfaction. The report emphasizes the need for effective leadership and communication to ensure a positive and productive work environment.

RUNNING HEAD: ORGANIZATION BEHAVOR 0
Organization Behavior

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Open Plan office space....................................................................................................................2
Drawbacks....................................................................................................................................2
Suggested approach......................................................................................................................3
Communication barriers..................................................................................................................4
Reduction in communication barriers..........................................................................................5
Source of power...............................................................................................................................5
Applied tactics..............................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7

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Introduction
The report is prepared on the title ‘Organizational behavior’ based on the given case. It is the
study of human behavior in an organizational unit. It determines the linkage between human
behavior and the business organization. It mainly emphasized the nature of employees and the
business organization. It focuses on the impact that an employed individual experiences with
respect to the organization. It determines the effect that an organization faces due to the
employee's behavior (Elangovan 2010). It includes reasonable answers to the question with
respect to the case. The key purpose of the report is to pour light on the solutions for the given
questions. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to upgrade the knowledge based on certain
managerial concepts.
Open Plan office space
Open-Plan office space is an office floor plan that eliminates most private offices and meeting
spaces. It involves working on business activities in the same room. This modern approach
facilitates teamwork and better communication (Shafaghat 2014). Similarly, Mark and Cathy
have altered the office design and developed an open plan office space to minimize the cost.
They emphasized on providing the employees with better and comforting furniture. Thus, they
created a space with beanbags, magazines, modern paintings, comics and games. However,
certain employees were not satisfied with the decision because of the following reasons.
Drawbacks
Chaotic feeling: An open plan office involves all the workers working in the same room. Thus,
working in the same room with a number of employees gave rise to chaotic environment. This is
because all the employees are performing diverse tasks (Kamarulzaman 2011). Similarly, in the
case, employees are facing the same issue. They were developing a feeling as someone is spying
over their activities.
Loss of actual leadership: As mentioned above, in an open plan office all the organization
members perform their duties within the same room. In this plan, higher level and lower level
departments work in the same room and environment. No special amenity is provided to the
higher authority of the organization. Thus, the lower level department often becomes informal

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and explicit to their superiors. Hence, poor chain of command is developed (Kim 2013).
Likewise, in the case also, some seniors have faced an issued that they are having low status
without the presence of their personal office cabins. Thus, some higher authority leaders were
not satisfied with the plan as it is hindering their personal position in the organization.
Increased chances of conflict: While a high number of individuals work together within the
same area, it often enhances the chance of conflict among them. Another reason for the
emergence of conflict is that it often gave rise to low quietness in the working area (Jahncke
2012). In this case, not all the employees were satisfied with the open-plan office. Thus, it
enhances the chances of a conflict.
Loss of privacy: Low secrecy and confidentiality are the major drawbacks of the open-plan
office that most employees faced. Thus, it gave rise to personality issues among the employees
(Lee 2010). A similar issue was recognized in the case as the two secretaries were facing privacy
issues. In an open environment, they were facing concern as they have cannot communicate well
with their closed ones. Additionally, Lawyers also hesitate to discuss private matters with their
clients over the phone. Thus, they often have to go outside to share personal conversation.
Despite the above issues, the working staff is also facing concern as the office is near the harbor.
Thus, certain employees were facing problems as the shops are too far from the workplace and
the cafes were also expensive.
Suggested approach
In order to minimize employee resistance from the open-plan office, Mark and Cathy should
acknowledge the employees with the following suggestive measures.
 Initially, it is suggested that Mark and Cathy must have included the staff members in
their decision based on the adoption of ‘Open Business Plan Space’. This is because
involving the human resource of the law firm in their decision-making process will result
in attaining low resistance from the employee's perspective.
 Additionally, staff members should be allocated enough reasonability, as they did not
leave with much time to spy on each other’s activity.

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 It is assessed that employees were facing the issue of expensive cafes. Thus, in order to
minimize the resistance, Mark and Cathy should provide the employees with evening
snacks.
 It is examined that lawyers and other employees were facing concerns in sharing their
private talks with clients and closed ones. Thus, Mark and Cathy should have divided the
small section of the open office into the ‘Conference Room’. This step will absolutely
help the employees with respect to the protection of their privacy.
 As per the case, it is analyzed that Mark and Cathy have been supportive of their staff
members. Thus, the partner should acknowledge the employees with the past support that
both the partners have provided their employees. Performing such activity will remind
the employees of the financial support they have attained from the law firm. Thus, it will
develop a positive aspect among the employees with respect to law firms. Hence, they
will attempt to develop less resistance from the ‘Open Office Plan’.
 Despite the above suggestions, Mark and Cathy should lay prior attention in
acknowledging the employees with the benefits of an Open Business Plan. The partner
should focus on making the employees understand that working under the ‘Open
Business Plan Space’ will help them in generating better relation with their respective
superiors. It will also foster informal communication. Easy access will help the
employees in early clarification of possible doubts. It will also result in generating
flexibility within the employees. Moreover, it will also assist in enhancing employee
mental health. This is because working in a shared space develops enthusiasm and
motivates the employees. It will also help the staff members in gaining efficient
knowledge about each other’s diverse cultures. Lastly, it will also contribute to enhancing
the employee’s collaboration power.
Communication barriers
Communication barriers are the obstacles that hinder the communication process. It develops
complications in understanding and receiving the required information, ideas and thoughts.
There are various types of barriers to effective communication. Environment Noise also acts as a
barrier to communication (Law 2018).

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Reduction in communication barriers
A proper approach should be implemented to lower or minimize the noise barrier. This is
because the noise barrier will minimize the employee’s productivity, as they cannot give their
full attention to work. It may also result in diseconomies of scale. Overall, it can affect the
organization's work process and profitability.
Following are the suggested steps for minimizing the communication barriers in a law firm:
 Firstly, the law firm has to identify the main sources of noise. This is to lay emphasis on
the reduction of social interactions.
 Mark and Cathy should develop a separate timing for the group discussion. This will
provide dual benefits to the law firm. Firstly, it will help in lowering the sound pollution
in the law firm. Thus, the employees will face subsequently less disturbance. Secondly, it
will assist in developing harmonious relations among the employees.
 The staff member should be guided to minimize their speech volume. This is because
minimizing the speech volume will help in reducing noise pollution. Additionally,
random discussions should be strictly avoided.
 Mark and Cathy should develop a separation between a kitchen and the working space.
This is because noise occurred because of practices in the kitchen cannot be stopped.
Source of power
Mark and Cathy were the partners of the law firm. Despite being the head of the employees, they
also hold the position of a lawyer. Both the lawyers were specialized in safeguarding the patents
and intellectual property. As the head of the law firm, they have the following power:
 To motivate
 To make a decision (Cooper 2015)
 To correct the employees
 To reward (Galbraith 2017)
It is examined that Mark and Cathy, have not taken the use of their power to motivate and correct
employees. It is analyzed that if the partners have timely motivated the employees than
employees had not shown high degree of resistance. It is estimated that if the partners have

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motivated the employees, it will result in developing an environment full of positivity and
enthusiasm. Thus, it will result in enhancing the employee’s motivation level. This, in turn will
result in gaining better results from the employees. Hence, they will develop a significant role in
contributing to the overall profit. However, it is analyzed that the partner’s negligence in
motivating has resulted in the development of unsatisfied and resisted employees (Shafritz
2015).
As per the theory, it is analyzed that being the head of the law firm, Mark and Cathy attains
several powers. As mentioned above, they have made a decision of opting for ‘Open Business
Plan Space’. Thus, they had successfully used the power of making a decision on the company’s
behalf (Reed 2012).
It is analyzed that Partners have not taken an early initiative in correcting the employees. It is
assessed that if the partners have corrected and helped the employees in accepting the change, it
would have resulted in the emergence of less resisted employees (Simpson 2013).
It is evaluated that Mark and Cathy have not rewarded and appreciated the employees that have
successfully and positively accepted the organizational change. It is estimated that if the partner
has appreciated and rewarded the employees for accepting the change, it would have generated a
driving force among the employees with respect to the acceptance of organizational change
(Whyte 2013).
Applied tactics
Open Business Plan: Mark and Cathy have adopted Open business plan as a tactic with one of
the perspectives of influencing the employees. It is assessed that acts as a tactic as it will help
the employees in developing harmonious relationships with their peer groups. Additionally, it
will help in building a team. Moreover, by working on the shared space will enhance the
employee’s knowledge and skills (Kim 2013).
Financial aid: Additionally, it is analyzed that the law firm has also provided financial
assistance to some of its employees. The firm has mainly used it as a tactic to raise motivated
and satisfied employees within the organization (Shafaghat 2014).

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Sharing of thoughts: It is examined that employees have successfully shared their reviews and
thoughts relating to the Open Business Plan. Thus, they have shared their thoughts as a tactic to
show their less interest in the adopted plan (Galbraith 2017).
Conclusion
The report summarizes the title ‘Organizational Behavior’. From the above discussion, it is
analyzed that ‘Open Business Plan Space’ is an economical approach but it has severe
limitations. Its adoption also has severe limitations like loss of privacy and the emergence of
sound pollution. It is assessed that Noise pollution is a serious issue and it can mainly be
minimized by guiding the employees with effective suggestive measures. It is analyzed that
partners of the law firm have various powers to their employees. However, they have partly
applied the usage of their power. Hence, it is analyzed that the partners have not properly
adopted the open business plan.

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