The Galaxy Toys Inc Management

Running Head: THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 1

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT

Name

Institution

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 2

Introduction

Galaxy Toys Toledo Inc. is a toy manufacturing company that is found in Toledo, Ohio.

The company was started in 1956 by George and Nan Jepson, a husband and a wife team. The

couple started the company after Rusty Jepson, their son, who became obsessed with the idea of

exploring space, most particularly the moon. Previously Jepson worked in a company that engaged

in advertisement, selling and manufacturing of games toys in Toledo, Ohio. While working there,

he made a spacecraft that thrilled his son and his friends. At that time, his wife who was working

as a retailer in a toy shop in local Toledo branch store, she came up with the idea of developing

and selling toys. Their first sell was very successful and the demand exceeded their ability to

manufacture more toys, thus they came into partnership with Jack Mercury, the owner of the local

Toledo Toy store where his wife used to work, to form Galaxy Toys Inc. The company specialized

in spacecraft toys as well as other related space toys. In 1969, Bart Aldrin joined Galaxy Toys Inc.

as a shipping manager and through his management style, he helped to improve the company’s

shipping process and the methodology of assembling toys. This essay is seeking to discuss the

different management styles that are demonstrated at the Galaxy Toys Inc. and the different

management or organizational theories that best suit these management styles. This essay is

divided into three sections: the introductory part, part one and part two. Part one requires the

student to analyze the scenario that is provided in the course reading so as to determine and discuss

the two organizational theories illustrated in Galaxy. Part two requires the student to discuss the

implications of change in being a 21

century manager. The aim of this essay is to clearly and

correctly identify, analyze and discus the different style of management and management theories

in Galaxy Toys, Inc.

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 3

Part one

The school of thought that best describes Bart’s management style when he first joined

Galaxy Toys Inc. is the classical scientific school of management. (Certo & Certo, 2013)The

classical school of management was one of the major management schools of thoughts. Developed

in the course of the Industrial Revolution, Classical management theory was expected to solve the

novel problems that arose pertaining to the factory system. The aim for developing the classical

management theory was to establish the “one best way” to manage and perform assignments or

tasks and in the same way. That is why; the classical scientific branch of classical school of

management highlighted the need to intensify efficiency and productivity. This is similar to Bart

style of management as his main focus was on programming his juniors to carry out single tasks

in a single-most efficient way, in order to improve the work processes as well as methods (Certo

& Certo, 2013).

Additionally, its main focus was on individual worker’s productivity. This is also evident

in Bart style of management, as he also focused on implementing the processes that was aiming at

training the workers to carry out their specialized or individual assignments in the most efficient

way possible. It is for this reason that Bart was able to increase productivity at Galaxy by

improving the shipping processes along with toy assembly methodology. The emphasis of this

management approach was on endeavoring to single out the best way or method to get the most

work accomplished by observing how the job process was essentially completed and by analyzing

the expertise and talents of the labor force. Equally, it is apparent that Bart’s main focus was on

efficiency plus understanding every duty that needed to be accomplished and hiring and training

(programming workers) employees that were capable of executing their individual jobs in the

single-most efficient or best way possible (Thompson & Strickland, 2001).

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 4

The theorist that best depicts Bart’s management style when he joined Galaxy is Frederick Taylor.

Taylor was one of the major contributors of the classical scientific school of management. Taylor’s

management approach was based on the idea of planning of tasks to attain efficiency,

specialization, standardization and simplification. This is clearly depicted in Bart’s management

style through his knack of planning per diem tasks, offer in depth guidelines to employees that

helped enhance the way jobs were executed and his ability to implement processes so employees

could be trained to carry out their specialized motion sequence in the most efficient method. One

of Taylor’s principles emphasized on the scientific training of employees by experts using

scientific methods to improve productivity and efficiency. He brought the concept of selection,

training and development of employees instead of letting them pick out their individual job and

train themselves, and it is in this fashion that Bart was able to train Galaxy personnel to complete

their specialized motion sequence in the single-most efficient way possible, thus improving the

shipping process and toy assembly methodology. He often remarked that employees had no choice

but to do what he instructed them to do or just perform their individual jobs the way they were

trained and not worry about what others were doing. Bart concentrated on hiring and training

employee to do single tasks in one most efficient way (Grinsven, Heusinkveld, & Cornelissen,

2016).

Furthermore, Taylor believed that organizations needed to study tasks and develop precise

procedures using correct steps, tools and movements. Similarly, Bart, in his initial days at Galaxy,

was fond of taking copious notes on the shipping floor with regard to every single task completed

and working out ways to turn the workforces into robots – indoctrinating them to complete their

individual assignment/specialized motion sequence in a single-most efficient manner. Taylor made

a major contribution to management by developing novel standards methods aimed at

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 5

accomplishing each task, and introducing the basic ideas of division and specialization of tasks;

employees and management cooperation; selection, training plus development of employee. His

contribution to the field of management was important as it helped improve task efficiency and

productivity (Certo & Certo, 2013).

The school of thought that best describes the management style Bart used once the shift

took place is the Human relation or neoclassical school of management. Neoclassical theorists

acknowledged group or individual behavior and highlighted human relations. Base on the observer

effect research (commonly known as the Hawthorne studies), the neoclassical management style

underlined human or social relationships among employees, supervisors or/and management. This

school of thought argued that these considerations were more far-reaching in defining productivity

than simple adjustments in working conditions. Efficiency and productivity increases were

realized on account of high morale, which was roused by the amount of intimate, personal, and

individual attention personnel received. This school of thought integrated behavioral science into

management thought so as to solve problems instigated by classical approach practices. This was

the main cause for the shift that took place in the late 1980s and early 90s prompting Bart and his

fellow managers to abandon their work-focus management style and adopts a more humanistic

approach to management that incorporated workers management participation and an employee

focused organization (Thompson & Strickland, 2001).

The theorist that best support the human relation school of management is Elton Mayo. He

was one of the individuals who interpreted the Hawthorne works’ original research, on lighting

modifications and work structure adjustments such as break times and working hours. The

neoclassical theory presented an informal organizational structure and laid emphasis on the

principles of an individual, the work group and participative management. The human relation or

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 6

neoclassical approach mainly focused on employees. It argued that an individual or worker is a

unique social being with ambitions and aims beyond ordinary fulfillment of some security and

economic tasks and not a mechanical tool. This is why people differ from one another in pursuing

these aspirations. Accordingly an individual must be acknowledged as interacting with economic

and social factors. Moreover, the neoclassical approach underscored the social aspects of informal

organizations or work group that work in a formal organization. The idea of ‘group’ plus its

synergistic benefits were regarded as imperative. Lastly, the approach stressed that decision

making or participative management permits employees to play a part in the decision-making

process of the organization (Thompson & Strickland, 2001).

These principles helped Bart and other managers reconsider their management approach

by influencing the management to adjust the culture of galaxy and incorporate an individual-focus

management style that embraced diversity of different work groups and the willingness of the

management to listen to the ideas of their employees. By adopting an individual focus, a

participative management and leveraging on the synergies of informal groups into their

organizational culture, Galaxy was able to familiarize with uncertainty and to react to its rivals

more swiftly. More so, Mayo underscored the power of informal groups, wherein social facets take

priority over practical organizational structures; the importance of two-ways communication,

where communication flows from the management to workers, and vice versa; and the

establishment of high quality management to communicate objectives and to guarantee coherent

and effective decision making. These propositions support Galaxy’s new management approach -

people focus within a learning environment, that saw the top executives and owners of Galaxy

embrace diversity and willingness to listens to the ideas of employees (Certo & Certo, 2013).

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 7

Part two

As a 21

century manager Joyce’s role will be different from that of Bart’s as she will

concentrate more on roles such as being a facilitator, director setter, steward/agent for high results

and standards, servant leader, change master, coach/motivator, role model and partner to her

employees. The school of thought that would work best for Joyce is the management principles

modern school of thought, which is made up of the Contingency approach and the system

approach. The management principles modern thought viewed the organization as an open and

organic system composed of interdependent and interacting parts known as subsystems. It

highlights the importance of overall effectiveness instead of the effectiveness of individual sub-

systems. It makes it possible to bring out the inter-relations in various management functions like

directing, planning, organizing and controlling (Grinsven, Heusinkveld, & Cornelissen, 2016).

Critical thinking content depth

The contingency management approach is an improvement over the system management

approach. The situational approach (commonly referred to as the contingency theory) that was

developed by P.R. Lawrence, and J.W. Lorsch asserts that there is no particular or ideal way to

make sound and informed decisions and to lead or organize an organization. Instead, the best

strategy is dependent (contingent) upon the external and internal situation. A contingent manager

effectually applies their individual leadership style to a specific or the right situation. The

contingency approach recognizes the organizational system is the product of the interaction of the

sub-systems and its environment. Besides, it attempts to identify exact nature of inter-relationships

and inter-actions (Thompson & Strickland, 2001).

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 8

Conclusion

In running the shipping department at Galaxy Headquarters, Joyce’s vision of the role of

manager will affect the way she tasks worker jobs in the followings ways: first, Joyce will

demonstrate her leadership through the promotion of a novel vision in the shipping department.

She will be required to communicate overall company’s goals and involve workers in setting team

and individual objectives. Second, Joyce will have to act as a culture builder and facilitator in order

to foster innovation by coaching employees so as to help them find motivation. She will be required

to help employees identify their true desires from their career and work so as to help them attain

set objectives. Third, Joyce will manifest her vision of the modern manger’s role by engaging

employees more in the decision making process. Joyce will have to act as an agent/steward for

high results and standards by sharing her decision making authority and involving her employees.

Fourth, her leadership and role will manifests itself, above all, in the way she behaves (being a role

model). Lastly, Joyce will have to be a servant leader. For her vision to manifest itself she will

have to see herself, first as a servant and serve in her leadership capacity with the aim of helping

workers grow and learn, thrive in contributing to organizational goals, and treat them like her

“customers” (Certo & Certo, 2013).

THE GALAXY TOYS INC. MANAGEMENT 9

References

Certo, S. C., & Certo, S. T. (2013). Modern management: Concepts and skills. Pearson Higher Ed.

Retrieved from:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811015606 Accessed on 6 November

2017.

Galaxy Toys Inc. (2017, January 6) Galaxy Toys Inc. Company Profile. Retrieved from:

http://www.galaxytoys.com.au/about-galaxy/ Accessed on 6 November 2017.

Grinsven, M., Heusinkveld, S., & Cornelissen, J. (2016). Translating management concepts:

towards a typology of alternative approaches. International Journal of Management

Reviews, 18(3), 271-289. Retrieved from:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijmr.12106/full Accessed on 6 November 2017.

Thompson, A. A., & Strickland, A. J. (2001). Strategic management: Concepts and cases.

McGraw-Hill/Irvin. Retrieved from:

http://repositories.vnu.edu.vn/jspui/bitstream/123456789/18911/1/600_623.pdf Accessed on 6

November 2017.

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