Question

‘GW Textiles’ was facing rising competition, inefficiencies on the shop floor and declining revenues. To address these problems, Leena was appointed as the new Factory Manager. In the first few weeks, Leena walked around the factory and watched how work was actually being done. She noticed that some workers were sincere and focused, while others showed little interest and avoided responsibility.

To overcome this problem Leena began spending time on the shop floor every week, interacting closely with the workers and was able to make them act in the desired manner to achieve organisational goals. Her approach helped create a positive work environment where employees felt encouraged to perform better, leading to improved efficiency on the shop floor and improved revenues.

(i) Identify the element of directing highlighted in the above case.

(ii) State any three features of the element identified in (i) above.

Hint:

The case describes a manager who stirred workers to work better. Name the element and give three of its features.

Answer 1

Step 1: Read the case:
Leena found that some workers were sincere while others avoided responsibility. She spent time on the shop floor each week and mixed closely with the workers.
The case says she was able to make them act in the desired manner to achieve organisational goals, and that employees felt encouraged to perform better.

Step 2: Part (i): Identify the element:
Motivation is the process of stimulating people to act so that the goals of the organisation are met.
The words encouraged to perform better and act in the desired manner point to this idea. The case shows how a manager moved workers to work with more interest.
So the element of directing in the case is Motivation.

Step 3: Part (ii): Feature 1:
Motivation is an internal feeling. Urges, drives, desires, aspirations and needs inside a person influence his behaviour.
A manager cannot force it from outside. He can only create the conditions that stir these inner feelings.

Step 4: Part (ii): Feature 2:
Motivation produces goal directed behaviour. A motivated person works towards a goal with more effort.
This leads to better performance, which is what happened with improved efficiency and revenues in the case.

Step 5: Part (ii): Feature 3:
Motivation can be positive or negative. Positive motivation uses pay rise, promotion and recognition.
Negative motivation uses punishment, stopping increments or threats. Another feature is that motivation is a complex process, since people differ in their expectations, perceptions and reactions.

Final Answer:
(i) The element of directing is Motivation. (ii) Three features: it is an internal feeling, it produces goal directed behaviour, and it can be positive or negative.