Mario has been the cost accountant for a large manufacturing company for ten years. Over his ten-year tenure, Mario has been an outstanding employee. In fact, twice during that time period, Mario was named “Employee of the Year.” However, over the past four months, Mario’s manager, Marielle, has begun to notice changes in his behavior. Interactions with Mario are often unpleasant. Last week Marielle told Mario about a new project that will begin in one month for which he was named team leader. He did not take the news well, complaining bitterly to Marielle about the amount of work that he had, the extra hours that he is expected to put in with no addition in pay, the nature of the individuals on the teams of which he is a part, and just about everything else happening in the firm. Yesterday, Marielle asked him a question about a project that is to be completed by Friday of this week and received the same lengthy complaints. She is stunned by this behavior since no one else voiced such opinions before, and is attempting to discern its root cause so that Mario can return to his former levels of performance. Marielle overheard two junior level accountants talking about Mario’s son being in trouble at school and also heard in the cafeteria last week that Mario’s wife is suffering from a prolonged illness. Using attribution theory, help Marielle provide a preliminary explanation for the behavior as she prepares to counsel Mario. Are there other theories we might be able to apply?

Understanding Business

12th Edition

ISBN:9781259929434

Author:William Nickels

Publisher:William Nickels

Chapter1: Taking Risks And Making Profits Within The Dynamic Business Environment

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1CE

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Mario has been the cost accountant for a large manufacturing company for ten years. Over his ten-year tenure, Mario has been an outstanding employee. In fact, twice during that time period, Mario was named “Employee of the Year.” However, over the past four months, Mario’s manager, Marielle, has begun to notice changes in his behavior. Interactions with Mario are often unpleasant. Last week Marielle told Mario about a new project that will begin in one month for which he was named team leader. He did not take the news well, complaining bitterly to Marielle about the amount of work that he had, the extra hours that he is expected to put in with no addition in pay, the nature of the individuals on the teams of which he is a part, and just about everything else happening in the firm. Yesterday, Marielle asked him a question about a project that is to be completed by Friday of this week and received the same lengthy complaints. She is stunned by this behavior since no one else voiced such opinions before, and is attempting to discern its root cause so that Mario can return to his former levels of performance. Marielle overheard two junior level accountants talking about Mario’s son being in trouble at school and also heard in the cafeteria last week that Mario’s wife is suffering from a prolonged illness. Using attribution theory, help Marielle provide a preliminary explanation for the behavior as she prepares to counsel Mario. Are there other theories we might be able to apply?

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