Strategic Factors That Affect T-Mobile Organizational Design - Case Study Example

? CONFLICT, DECISION MAKING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN Introduction Conflicts have become a common phenomenon in various organizations across the globe. This is attributed by the personal attributes of different persons working in the same institutions. The main differences arise from age differences; where different persons have different priorities depending on their age, gender differences, culture; where the culture may promote the learning of different jobs, personality; where the personality of a person decides a great deal to his perception of the job and attitude towards his/her work. On the other hand, professional differences, which entail approach to assignments, skills and knowledge, also lead to conflicts, especially when an assignment is handled by a team. In the current world, various technological developments have led to more efficiency in the conduction of various assignments. As such, when two people conduct the same assignment using varying technologies, conflicts usually arise. Moreover, as businesses develop, there is usually the necessity of mergers or recruitment of new professionals, which may lead to the rise of conflicts. Despite the presence of such conflicts, many people usually find themselves in unhealthy conflicts, which usually poison the work environment. As such, it is necessary for employees, and management to understand the best way to solve such conflicts when they arise. This paper seeks to give an in-depth evaluation of the negotiation strategies used to address various workplace conflicts. Additionally, how evidence-based management could be applied to the work environment, blocks, stages, and methods of creative decision making to determine the best approach T-Mobile should follow when making managerial decisions, and the environmental and strategic factors that affect the organizational design of T-Mobile will be evaluated. How I could apply negotiation strategies to address potential conflicts in the workplace. Negotiations are very essential in coming up with the best solution for different engagements in the workplace. In most cases, negotiations are unavoidable and thus being knowledgeable on the best negotiation strategies is essential. Negotiation involves various stages, which include preparation, dialogue, clarification of goals, negotiating towards a win-win situation, agreement and implementing the solution realized. Since conflicts also occur in my workplace as a customer service professional for T-Mobile, a clear understanding of how to handle conflicts as they arise and avoid poisoning of the work environment is necessary. Therefore, an understanding of factors such as technological developments, culture, age, personality, professional differences among others will help in taking the best approach in handling conflicts by making good negotiations. In this case, getting a clear overview of the underpinning factors leading to such differences is essential. In most cases, when conflicts arise, people usually make personal judgments, which in some cases do not solve the conflicts as anticipated. As such, having been well informed on how conflicts arise, I will always withhold judgment and use efficient problem solving techniques to ensure that the problem is solved completely, and that future occurrences of such conflicts are effectively handled. I will never ignore any conflict that arises as they usually arise out of something. In this regard, I will always utilize the structures implemented by T-Mobile to effectively handle the conflicts. Additionally, I will be very observant on how I handle every person or situations to avoid being at the centre of any conflicts. This is because, despite an act being minute, it can have adverse effects, which are beyond the expectations of many. Thus being extra cautious will help a great deal in avoiding occurrences of conflicts in future. Sharpening my negotiation skills and conflict management skills will be very effective in handling conflicts as they arise. This is because I will provide sound judgement based on the situation to ensure that all parties involved are fully satisfied with the solution provided. Additionally, I will interact with numerous employees working at T-Mobile and other institutions to ensure that I fully understand the diversity in personality, and how best to handle each person. In applying sound negotiation skills, I will not bargain over positions with other employees as they form a basis for conflicts among various persons in many organizations, T-Mobile included. Additionally, I will always separate persons from the problem. This will ensure that the core of the problem is effectively addressed. In this regard, I will keenly evaluate the situation at hand, as different relations may have factors contributing to the rise of conflicts. I will always put myself in the shoes of every individual involved in order to have an understanding on the possible reason for each individual to undertake the activity. Additionally I will involve all the parties in finding the negotiation process and recognize their emotions to avoid detorating the situation rather than finding the solution. Additionally, I will focus on interests and not positions while negotiation. In this case, I will focus on why each individual undertook the activity they did rather than on why they did not undertake certain activities. In this case, I will understand the diversity in human interests, which may be the root cause of the conflict. Thus, I will acknowledge the interest of each individual as part of the problem; this will ensure that all aspects contributing to the occurrence of the conflict are effectively addressed so that future occurrence of such a conflict is minimized. In resolving the conflict, all parties involved should feel that the solution realized benefits each individual, whether directly or indirectly. In coming up with the solution, brainstorming will be necessary to expound on the options feasible to the situation. This will always be followed by viewing the conflicts from the eyes of various experts in conflict resolution, and applying the positive attributes to the situation. Additionally, applying fair standards and procedures will ensure that the best solution is realized. Moreover, yielding to principle rather than to pressure will help me a great deal in effectively solving conflicts as they arise. How Evidence-Based Management Could Be Applied To T-Mobile Evidence based management is a new development in the management of various issues as they arise in the running of various organizations. In this case, the making of decisions is based on evidence. This management displine takes best available scientific evidence, managerial expertise and judgement, organization facts and characteristics and shareholders values and concerns into account (Stewart, 2002). In this case, application of evidence-based management at T-Mobile Company will ensure that the company is at per with the technological developments available in various departments; this will ensure that the company attains a competitive edge in offering its products and services to its customer, which will assist in realizing the anticipated goals and objectives. Despite evidence based management being very important in making sound judgement, its application by numerous organizations is limited. This is mainly due to the method being expensive, lack of good evidence, evidence not being quite applicable, as the information presented to managers is not entirely true among others. In order to ensure that the benefits realized are reaped for a long period of time, evidence based management should be taught to future management. In T-Mobile, evidence based management should be implemented using hard facts and building a culture in which employees tell the truth irrespective of it not being pleasant to other persons. In addition, all stakeholders should be committed in fact-based decision making, encourage everyone even if mistakes are made while practicing the method, look at both the merits and demerits of the method and usually making decisions on only result proven strategies. Blocks, Stages and Methods of Creative Decision Making to Determine the Best Approach T-Mobile Should Follow When Making Managerial Decisions. Effective decision-making is necessary in ensuring that the best results are realized out of any decision made. In this case, it is necessary to evaluate the situation at hand and the impact of every step undertaken in the making of the decision. The decision making process is extensive and entails four stages namely; contribution stage, procedural stage, implementation stage and the reflection stage. Each of the steps outlined has its building blocks, which are very necessary in ensuring that the method implemented is feasible. The building blocks of the contribution stage entails: brainstorming, where different solutions of the problem are proposed. Criteria, which entails evaluation of the proposed solutions agreed on by taking into account the various aspects, which may bring ambiguity forms the second building block also falls under the building block. The last building block of the contribution stage is fact gathering, which is aimed at enhancing the quality of the decision made. The building blocks of the procedural stage are development, which ensures that feasible alternatives are presented (O’Rourke & Collins, 2008). Evaluation, which is aimed at outlining the pros and cons of each alternative proposed, is the second building block. The last building block in the procedural stage is developing a solution and its alternative(s). The implementation stage entails the implementation of the best proposal made, but should be very detailed to remove any ambiguity that may arise. The reflection stage, which is the last stage, has assessing implementation, evaluation of the effectiveness of the solution and modification as its building blocks. Environmental and strategic factors that affect T-Mobile organizational design There are numerous factors that affect the organization design of various institutions across the globe. In the case of T-Mobile, factors that affect its organization structure include its size, life cycle, strategy, environment and technology. Since the size of the company is large, its organization structure is complex to accommodate all the activities (Daft, 2009). In this case, all employees have their roles well stipulated. This avoids confusion in the conduction of all activities and enhance efficiency at all levels. The environment in which the organization operates is very essential in realizing the anticipated growth and results (Heijden, Remme, Bono & Jones, 2008). In the case of T-Mobile, technology has been one of its greatest assets in realizing the growth. The environment is dynamic with the clients’ tastes changing; T-Mobile is also dynamic to accommodate the varying needs of its clients.References Daft, R. L. (2009). Organization Theory and Design. London: Cengage Learning. Heijden B., V., Remme, J., Bono, S., & Jones, S. (2008). Leadership, Change and Responsibility. Basel, Swizerland: Meyer & Meyer Verlag. O’Rourke J., S. & Collins S., D. (2008). Managing Conflict and Workplace Relationships. London: Cengage Learning, Stewart, R. (2002). Evidence-Based Management: A Practical Guide for Health Professionals. Bradwell Abbey. Milton Keynes: Radcliffe Publishing. Read More