Case Study of Conifer Corporation

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Kenyatta University *

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Management

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Nov 24, 2024

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1 Case Study of Conifer Corporation Student’s Name Department, Institutional Affiliation Course Name Professor’s Name Date

2 Introduction Conifer Corp, a company with a three-decade existence, updated its gear significantly around five years ago. The business is divided into six main operating sections, each employing a diversified workforce with various jobs and talents. This report intends to investigate the critical problems Conifer Corp is facing and examine the factory's operational inefficiencies in-depth. We will also identify the underlying reasons for the problems Conifer Corp. is facing. We will then look at potential fixes to address these problems. Case Study of Conifer Review of the case Conifer Corp., a reputable organization with a three-decade existence, is based in Oregon and is a subsidiary of a well-known conglomerate of forest goods. The cutting and packaging completed goods for the market is its main duty. Conifer Corp. employs 180 paid trade workers and a management team of one manager and seventeen department heads in charge of booming, packing, shipping, and maintenance (Wajcman, 2019). Notably, despite the organization having supervisors in several departments, the packing department is noticeably unsupervised, even though the department and the sawmill are expected to be monitored per a specified schedule. This paper, we will expound on the Conifer Corporation case, where the absence of an effective leader in the packaging department has had detrimental repercussions on the company's performance. Moreover, we will elucidate the telltale signs that indicate Conifer Corp's descent into operational difficulties. Our analysis will also provide a lucid exposition of the fundamental reasons underpinning these multifaceted problems. we will outline strategies through which Conifer Corp's management can proactively address and resolve the myriad challenges that have arisen.

3 Conifer Corp serves as the representative entity for all forest products under its parent company's purview and collaborates with Westboard Inc. for marketing purposes. Operating within a fiercely competitive environment, the company faces the challenge of differentiating itself, and one avenue for achieving this distinction lies in the realm of packaging excellence. Consequently, establishing a unique selling point in this competitive market segment becomes an arduous undertaking. This instance demonstrates how very important efficient supervision is inside an organization. The highest management level comprises supervisors, who have extensive authority over workgroup management and organizational structure (Wajcman, 2019). Conifer Corp. is now operating without reliable oversight, which has caused a considerable decline in its client base. There is a strong possibility that personnel in the packing department would be more devoted with a trustworthy supervisor present, decreasing instances of time squandered during breaks and job disengagement throughout organizational transformations. Conifer Corp. is not alone in this scenario; firms of all sizes, even smaller, less traditional ones, can suffer severe repercussions from insufficient monitoring. Their entire survival may be in danger without adequate care. Westboard Inc. has a strategy that encourages creativity and motivation for proactive packaging actions to build a distinctive selling proposition (Brown & Paz-Aparicio, 2021). This strategy entails awarding certificates of excellence acquired through stringent testing and assessments by potential consumers. Conifer Corp. has received this esteemed honor several times during the last five years. Symptoms that indicate something went wrong in the company Conifer Corporation's packaging division struggles with problems from an unusual leadership structure. Two supervisors have been involved in this department over time, each

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4 assigned from a different business sector at various intervals, emphasizing supervising their work results (Wajcman, 2019). The organization will face several difficulties due to this dual- supervisor structure since the two managers may have different values, ideologies, objectives, and analytical methods. It can have significant effects if assessment criteria and performance standards are not clearly defined, leading to insufficient and erroneous conclusions (Buljac- Samardzic & van Wijngaarden, 2020). This situation leaves the staff in the packaging department in a state of perplexity, which in turn saps their motivation for their work. As a result, this negatively affects the general performance of the workforce. The packing department's operating difficulties were further aggravated by the fact that it was geographically dispersed over many buildings. Due to the department's physical isolation, the supervisors who were occasionally assigned to manage it found it challenging to maintain a continuous on-site presence. As a result, the staff lacked constant direction and assistance. Fundamentally, leadership persuades people to take certain actions (Ibrahim & Daniel, 2019). Employees' motivation and general performance are negatively impacted when a company fails to give leadership advice. These problems showed themselves in the packaging division of Conifer Corporation as a lack of passion among employees and a lack of objectives that would emphasize the relevance and value of the supervisor's position within the organization. As seen in the present scenario, it is clear that the organization is overloaded with supplemental inventory, which drives up product costs and increases the chance of product losses. Although there were chances for overtime labor, it wasn't a rule that everyone had to do their duties conscientiously. Particularly, packing employees frequently overstayed their allotted time and abruptly concluded their jobs, which were glaring signs of organizational inefficiency. To address these issues, managers and supervisors must carefully examine the underlying factors

5 causing time loss and inefficiency in the workplace (Wajcman, 2019). This assessment highlights Conifer Corporation's lack of effective leadership practices, requiring an extensive revamp in this important area of organizational management. Major causes of symptoms The main problem is the packing department's apparent lack of efficient oversight, a crucial aspect of organizational management. To achieve peak performance within a company, oversight involves a variety of administrative duties, such as disciplinary oversight and motivational counseling (Brown & Paz-Aparicio, 2021). Due to the facility's geographical spread, the packing department was under the control of two different managers, who lacked the drive to actively supervise the personnel (Kassem & Helo, 2019). This shortcoming caused a significant communication gap between managers and employees, directly influencing worker productivity. The effects of this poor management got worse over time, so even competent team members who tried to help in the department found themselves working without a clear plan or management oversight (Wajcman, 2019). Additionally, the organization's pay structure, which paid hourly rates to 180 unionized workers, resulted in lower productivity and increased financial strain on the business (Kassem & Helo, 2019). The packaging department appeared to operate without concern about consequences for their conduct and without proper appreciation of the important contributions made by employees from other departments, which also indicated a lack of organizational commitment and interest. Solution as executive to solve this issue Supervisors must immediately implement a more unified management strategy that bridges the gap between diverse organizational roles to solve the problem of workplace

6 inefficiencies. To increase efficiency, the representative packaging department supervisor must collaborate and communicate well with all other employees within the company (Bruce & Courtney-Pratt, 2019). Motivating staff is the next crucial stage, whether by acknowledging their technical proficiency or other rewards like promotions, bonuses, etc. This helps employees develop a strong work ethic in completing their jobs, but it also helps the business expand (Jaakson & McClenaghan, 2019). In the framework of the sawmill industry, the packaging department is one area where effective management is very important for maximizing the performance of any department within an organization. Supervisors should pay close attention to employees' working environment, hiring, and motivation within this crucial area, as underlined by Brattström and Wennberg in their 2020 research. Controlling inventories is a crucial topic that needs close attention. The sawmill industry's operations' efficiency largely depends on inventory control. Supervisors are crucial in minimizing wasteful spending to ensure that inventory levels are controlled effectively (Brattström & Wennberg, 2020). In addition to preserving the organization's financial stability, this strategic strategy aids in gradually reducing wasteful behaviors. In addition, managers act as the organization's eyes and ears, able to see specific issues and take immediate action to address them. To maintain a pleasant and effective work environment, they are also crucial in promoting a respectful climate between team leaders and workers (HA, 2020). Supervisors may also increase staff morale and motivation by encouraging a feeling of collaborative success. Employee commitment to the organization's objectives and teamwork increase when they feel their efforts are respected and acknowledged..

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7 In addition, managers can set up strict rules and enforce them to deal with any instances of procrastination or social loafing during working hours. Managers may achieve a balance that promotes packing efficiency, teamwork, and communication surrounding lumber production by carefully allocating duties, responsibilities, and expectations to each team within the six departments. The firm will be able to retain its competitive position in the market and improve its relationship with clients thanks to this alignment across all divisions. Beyond increased packing effectiveness, the advantages include decreased duplicate inventory and the need to pay workers overtime. Conclusion In conclusion, this example highlights a variety of organizational obstacles, such as the critical importance of strong leadership, problems with employee motivation and engagement, and the need for group decision-making among employees. These difficulties not only have the potential to affect a company's profitability and organizational goals, but they also have a significant impact on its general market position and reputation, particularly when it comes to highly competitive industries. Conifer Corp's market position and image have taken a hit due to basic packaging department flaws that have cascaded. It becomes clear that for a business to prosper and develop, it is essential to have a strong framework that includes capable leadership, smooth team communication, and shared knowledge that pervades throughout many divisions within the organization.

8 References Brattström, A., Delmar, F., Johnson, A. R., & Wennberg, K. (2020). 14. A longitudinal project of new venture teamwork and outcomes. Research handbook on entrepreneurial behavior, practice and process , 309. Brown, O., & Paz-Aparicio, C. (2021). Examining the Moderating Effects of Work Unit Size and Task Analyzability in the Relation Between Leader’s Communication Style and Leader- Member Exchange. Frontiers in Psychology , 12 , 619060. Bruce, R., Levett-Jones, T., & Courtney-Pratt, H. (2019). Transfer of learning from university- based simulation experiences to nursing students' future clinical practice: An exploratory study. Clinical Simulation in Nursing , 35 , 17-24. Buljac-Samardzic, M., Doekhie, K. D., & van Wijngaarden, J. D. (2020). Interventions to improve team effectiveness within health care: a systematic review of the past decade. Human resources for health , 18 (1), 1-42. HA, V. D. (2020). The impacts of empowerment on the teamwork performance: Evidence from commercial banks in Vietnam. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business , 7 (4), 267-273. Ibrahim, A. U., & Daniel, C. O. (2019). Impact of Leadership on Organisational Performance. Journal of Business, Management and Social Research, 06(02), 367-374. Jaakson, K., Reino, A., & McClenaghan, P. B. (2019). The space between–linking trust with individual and team performance in virtual teams. Team Performance Management: an international journal , 25 (1/2), 30-46.

9 Kassem, R., Ajmal, M., Gunasekaran, A., & Helo, P. (2019). Assessing the impact of organizational culture on achieving business excellence with a moderating role of ICT: An SEM approach. Benchmarking: An International Journal , 26 (1), 117-146. Wajcman, J. (2019). The digital architecture of time management. Science, Technology, & Human Values , 44 (2), 315-337.

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