Custom Leather (Scenario)
Lamia has been hired as a consultant for XYZ Consulting. Her first assignment is to work with one of XYZ's newest clients, Custom Leather, Inc., a manufacturer of high- end leather furniture. Custom Leather was founded over a decade ago with the idea that great looking, comfortable leather furniture could be custom made and delivered to customers in 30 days.
Traditionally, retailers stock leather sofas to satisfy the desire to receive new furniture fast-limiting the choice of colors and style for the consumer. In stark contrast, Custom Leather offers 13 different styles in over 70 different colors-from rich, deep browns to bright, sunflower; sleek, silver grays and bright, ruby red-through a select group of retail outlets. Each piece is built to the customer's individual requirements and is shipped within 2- 3 weeks. However, the emergence of a new manufacturing technology has enabled a few, traditionally mass- production competitors to offer greater customization, minimizing some of Custom Leather's competitive advantage. As a result, Custom Leather is considering sweeping changes to current work processes and organizational structure.
-Many of Custom Leather's 75 employees are highly skilled and experienced artisans. Many long- time employees are stockholders and all participate in the profit sharing plan. While there is division of labor, the jobs most floor employees perform are not highly standardized. Management has found that employees take great pride in their craft, and thus they require minimal formal rules and little direct supervision. These traits are most typical of a(n) ___________ organization.
A) informal
B) mechanistic
C) empowered
D) organic

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The traits described in the scenario, such as minimal formal rules, little direct supervision, and the emphasis on employee pride in their craft, are all indicative of an organic organization. In such an organization, there is typically more flexibility and adaptability, and employees are given more autonomy and decision-making power. This is in contrast to a mechanistic organization, which tends to have more rigid and standardized processes, and formal hierarchical structures. An empowered organization may have similar traits to an organic organization, but the scenario does not provide enough information to definitively classify Custom Leather as empowered. An informal organization is typically less structured and may lack clear rules and procedures, but may not necessarily have the same emphasis on employee skill and pride in craftsmanship as described in the scenario.

Custom Leather (Scenario) Lamia Has Been Hired as a Consultant for XYZ Consulting