A Report on Problem Solving and Decision Making in the Workplace

This report delves into the critical processes of problem-solving and decision-making within an organizational context. It begins by defining the core concepts and then explores the various workplace challenges that can negatively impact employee satisfaction and overall organizational performance. The report adopts a role-play format, simulating a discussion between a management consultant and unsatisfied employees, to identify key issues such as working environment, communication, and employee-employer relationships. It then examines the causes and effects of these problems, utilizing a research-informed cause-and-effect analysis to pinpoint underlying issues like lack of appreciation, inadequate management, and limited career growth. The report further considers the influence of macro-environmental factors, such as political, economic, social, technological, and environmental factors, on these complex problems. It evaluates alternative solutions, focusing on creating a positive work environment, flexible schedules, and career mobility. Finally, the report outlines the implementation of chosen solutions, emphasizing planning, leadership, and alignment of processes to ensure successful outcomes and improved employee satisfaction. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of problem-solving and decision-making for organizational success and the well-being of employees.

Problem-solving and
decision making

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Problem-solving can be described as an act that defines the problem, determine the causes
behind the problem, prioritise and identify as well as selection of the different alternative
solution in the business along with implementing of the solution (Aboelmaged, 2018). Decision
making, on the other hand is the process that is used for purpose of identification of decision,
gathering of information as well as assessing the different resolutions. This project report
includes role play which includes the management consultant and the unsatisfied employees
which identify the problem and also include the solution for the business.
MAIN BODY
Management Consultant: what are the problems faced by you and your team and what is
the impact of the complex problem on the overall performance of the organization?
Unsatisfied employees: There are different types of problems to be faced by employees in their
day-to-day life. As an employee, I feel the problem with the working environment, safety and
security measures, communication, health, flexibility, employee-employer relationship and other
things. All of these create problems for the employees as well as for their happiness for the work.
It is important for the organization to consider employee happiness as its priority. The different
problem faced by the employees creates a negative impact on the overall performance of the
organization. Explanations of these negative impacts on the overall performance of the business
are mentioned below:
The problem occurs in the organisation shift focus of employees from the working of the
company to other areas. It does not allow them to focus on work which will create a negative
impact on the productivity of the company. It creates demotivation among the employees and
also does not allow them to focus on the goals of the company (Abualoush and et. al., 2018).
This complex problem that occurs in the organisation also results in conflict in the organisation.
Conflicts are not a positive situation for the business as it creates a negative impact on the
harmony and peace of business. It results in increased employee turnover as it causes more
dissatisfaction among the employees. It does not allow the business to retain talented employees
in the organisation and does not business to gain the trust of employees. It will not enable the
firm to implement their new policies and strategies in the organisation in an effective manner.
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Increasing complex problems in the organization also result in a negative impact on the image of
the company. It does not allow the company to attract new employees with fresh thoughts in
their organization. It also does not allow the organisation for purpose of attracting skilled and
talented employees who has proper knowledge related to the field. In order to perform well in a
competitive environment, business require skilled employees (Azimifard, Moosavirad and
Ariafar, 2018). These problems also create negative impact over the physical and mental well-
being of employees as 44 percent losing sleep and 43 percent lack energy.
Unsatisfied employees: Do you know the cause and effects of the complex problems?
Management Consultant: A research-informed cause-and-effect analysis is one of the tools
which provide assistance for purpose of identification of different causes and effects of the
problem to occur in an organisation. Problems faced by the employees are unhappiness at the
workplace which cause job dissatisfaction. Due to this, there is a lack of interest in employees,
communication issues, conflict problems and other problems occur at the workplace. Cause and
effect analysis is one of assessment tool which combines brainstorming as well as mind mapping
techniques for purpose of exploring of the possible cause of an issue. It is an analysis which was
developed by a person in the year 1960 and used as a quality control tool. It is a tool used for
purpose of identification of a problem in the industry and also provides assistance for purpose of
solving the issues.
This problem faced by employees related to job unhappiness and dissatisfaction has different
causes. These causes include the reason behind these problems. According to my research, the
causes behind the problem faced by employees are mentioned below:
 Lack of appreciation is one of the reasons which makes the employees dissatisfied with
the organization. Employees work really hard for purpose of satisfying their needs of
appreciation and recognition (Golden and Gajendran, 2019).
 Sometimes employees feel that they are not getting enough wages or salary according
to their hard work. It causes a sense of dissatisfaction and demotivation in minds of their
customers.
 Inadequate management is also a cause that does not allow employees to be involved in
the decision-making process and other important work of the company. This management
also does not appreciate employees which also creates unhappiness among them with the
work.
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 Limited career growth is also a reason due to which employees of the company are
unhappy as it is one of the important expectations of the employees with their job and
work.
 Training and development opportunities are one of the important opportunities for a
person as it allows them for the purpose of improving their skills and capabilities. Lack of
training and development also makes employees dissatisfied with the organisation
(Holsti, 2019).
 Workplace relationship is also one of the important things which help employers to
build a positive relationship with the employees. Poor workplace relationship makes
employees unhappy with the organisation and their jobs.
 Work-life balance is also important for employees as they want to share their time with
their loved ones but a lack of work-life balance creates a negative impact on the
organisation.
Unsatisfied employees: Are there any factors that create an impact on the complex problem
faced by us?
There are different factors in the macro environment that create an impact on the complex
problem. In order to understand the impact of these factors, the business can adopt PESTEL
analysis which is one of the important analyses for the business. Explanation of this analysis in
context to the company is mentioned below:
Political factors are one of the important factors which create a positive impact on the complex
problem faced by the employees. The government of any country like the UK government
developed different types of rules and regulations for protecting their employees which enable
businesses to follow all these rules and regulations (Ma and Jiang, 2018). It is for purpose of
happiness and satisfaction of employees. For instance, rules for working conditions, working
hours employment contracts and other things.
Economic factors are also considered as one of the important factors. In the UK, the wage rate
is high which is important for the employees and allow the employees to get the right amount of
salary and wages in their country.
Social Factors: The UK is one of the developed countries and the education rate of this country
is also high. People living in this country are aware of their rights which is important for the
solution of the problem. It allows employees to overcome of problems and also to maintain
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balance in their work life. This awareness also creates pressure on the business and enables them
to adopt the requirement of employees in the organisation. It helps the company to build a
positive image in minds of prospective employees.
There is technological upgradation in the UK and in order to take advantage of the
advancement in the UK, business needs to hire skilled and talented employees. For this,
businesses need to adopt all the requirements of employees in the business to attract them. In
order to get success in this environment, business needs to provide proper training and
development opportunities to the business (Sulaiman and et. al., 2022).
Environmental factors are also a factor for purpose of protection of the environment. There are
some industries in the field of automotive and construction which include work that is not good
for the health of workers. For this, it is important for companies to adopt new technology that
does not create a negative impact on the environment as well as the health of employees.
Increasing environmental awareness does not allow employees to work in an industry that
contributes to the environment negatively.
There are different types of laws and legislation are there in the industry which are for purpose
of protecting employment rights. All these rights create pressure on the business for the purpose
of adopting of necessary arrangements for the employees in order to make them satisfied.
Unsatisfied employees: What is an evaluation of alternative solutions to the complex
problem with an aim of choosing the most appropriate solution among these alternatives?
Management consultant: There are different alternatives solution that can be adopted in the
business for purpose of solving these problems faced by the employees. Employees happiness is
important for the business as it will contribute to the productivity as well as the success of the
organisation. This employee happiness can be dependent on different factors like belonging,
inclusion, support, appreciation, energy, learning, purpose, trust, flexibility, achievement, , stress
level, satisfaction, compensation as well as management support (Yu and et. al., 2019). On basis
of different components solutions offered to employees includes prioritisation of work-life
balance, flexible working schedules, creating career mobility, encouraging breaks, and
recognition to the employees for their hard work. Work flexibility is becoming a trend nowadays
as due to covid-19, people has realised the importance of work flexibility. Employees also want
career growth opportunities as they want to work on their skills over the time for purpose of
getting more opportunities in life. It is also important for the business to listen to customers and
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allow them for proper sharing of ideas, views and other components. Development of a positive
work environment where employees culture differences are also an alternative solution to solve
the complex problem.
Among these available solutions, it is important for business managers to develop a positive
working environment for the employees. It allows the business to create an environment where
employee differences are acceptable and also it allows employees to express their views and
opinions without any hesitation.
Unsatisfied employees: how organisations may plan the implementation of chosen solution
and evaluate outcome.
 In order to evaluate such a situation, business managers of the company need to
implement the strategy in the company. For purpose of implementation of this plan,
business needs to adopt different strategies. For purpose of implementation of this plan,
business needs to ensure planning. The business also needs to plan things according to
mission, values and vision (Zaka, and et. al., 2020).
 In the next stage, the business also needs to develop effective leadership team. It is
important for the business to adopt effective leadership in their organisation for purpose
of providing guidance to different members who are working in the company.
 Businesses should develop an implementation plan in which all the necessary activities
are clear to different members of the company.
 After that budget is allocated to different activities of the company as it is also important
for the business.
 There are different types of objectives are assigned by the company to different members
of the company.
 In the next stage, the business should align different processes and structures of the
company for purpose of implementing of the plan. In the last stage, business needs to
align their people for purpose of successful implementation of the solution in the
business.
CONCLUSION
From above-mentioned project report, it can be concluded that the problem-solving decision-
making process is one of the important processes which is important for the business. It is one of
the important components for purpose of identifying the problem in the business and also for
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developing the solution. There are different types of problems faced by the employees due to
which employee feel unhappy. In order to overcome of such a situation, the business needs to
identify the solution.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Aboelmaged, M.G., 2018. Knowledge sharing through enterprise social network (ESN) systems:
motivational drivers and their impact on employees’ productivity. Journal of
Knowledge Management.
Abualoush, S.H., and et. al., 2018. The role of employees’ empowerment as an intermediary
variable between knowledge management and information systems on employees’
performance. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems.
Azimifard, A., Moosavirad, S.H. and Ariafar, S., 2018. Selecting sustainable supplier countries
for Iran's steel industry at three levels by using AHP and TOPSIS methods. Resources
Policy, 57, pp.30-44.
Golden, T.D. and Gajendran, R.S., 2019. Unpacking the role of a telecommuter’s job in their
performance: Examining job complexity, problem solving, interdependence, and social
support. Journal of Business and Psychology, 34(1), pp.55-69.
Holsti, O.R., 2019. Crisis, stress, and decisionmaking. In The War System (pp. 491-508).
Routledge.
Ma, X. and Jiang, W., 2018. Transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and employee
creativity in entrepreneurial firms. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 54(3),
pp.302-324.
Sulaiman, R., and et. al., 2022. The role of religiosity in ethical decision-making: a study on
Islam and the Malaysian workplace. Journal of Business Ethics, 179(1), pp.297-313.
Yu, C., and et. al., 2019. A group decision making sustainable supplier selection approach using
extended TOPSIS under interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy environment. Expert
Systems with Applications, 121, pp.1-17.
Zaka, A., and et. al., 2020. COVID-19 pandemic as a watershed moment: A call for systematic
psychological health care for frontline medical staff. Journal of Health
Psychology, 25(7), pp.883-887.
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