Introduction to Organisations and Management Essay - 6

Introduction to Organisations and Management - Essay Example In this work, we assess two organizations from the perspective of the science of organisations and management. As we make the assessment, we identify some of the most useful lessons from the module. The objectives of this work are as follows: 1. Compare two firms and use concepts and perspectives from the science of organisations and management that are useful for comparing and assessing the firms. 2. Analyze firm operations using perspectives from organisations and management. 3. Apply the relevant concepts and perspectives from organisations and management in forwarding recommendations on the how problems and situations articulated on the two firms can be addressed. In the discussion, we use a report rather than an essay format. In our analysis, we are also informed by the theories discussed in Module BB115007S conducted by Ms. H. McIntosh of the Anglia Ruskin University. 2.0. Overview on the Firms Being Compared 2.1. The two firms being assessed and compared in this work are Watso ns Engine Components and H&M Consulting. The two business organisations are disparate. 2.2. Watsons Engine Components is a family-owned company engaged in mass-producing parts for car engines. Its plant is in northeast England. The firm employs 200 people, comprising of 125 semi-skilled production workers, 15 clerical workers, 20 technical staff, and 40 managers. The plant is â€Å"highly unionised† with one union for the manual and clerical staff. There is a long history of poor relations between the union and management marked by industrial actions. Watsons has been described as successful in maintaining market share in the last several years. However, car manufacturing firms who are Watsons’ customers are in a highly competitive environment and have the option to get their supplies from abroad. Watsons is encountering the following challenges: order times are getting short, contract prices are becoming lower, and quality standards are becoming higher. Despite the ab ility to maintain a market share, maintaining its market share is a continuing challenge for Watsons in a globalized market. Watsons plant is small and â€Å"relatively old-fashioned†. Yet, at the same time, the firm is described to have â€Å"sufficient capital† to replace some of its machinery and technological systems. 2.3. Meanwhile, H&M Consulting is â€Å"a large global management, engineering and development consultancy.† The company has grown through merger and acquisitions. At first, H&M was established from the merger of two consultancy firms. Later on, H&M purchased several companies in the Romania, the Netherlands, and the USA. H&M Operations now cover 120 countries employing 13,000 staff. The company is in transport, energy, buildings, water, the environment, health, education, and communications. H&M Consulting caters to clients in both the private and public sectors. 2.4. A part of the explanation on why the two firms differ in their management an d organization is in their business orientation: one firm is global and the other tends to transact with local clients and belongs to an old industry in the United Kingdom. Of course, this does not mean that all firms oriented to the local market are managed along traditional lines. Students of management are exposed to various schools of modern thought. Unfortunately, some of the