: Problem Solution: Global Communications - Mba 500

Problem Solution: Global Communications

"To solve organizational problems effectively requires an appropriate mindset - viewing problems as opportunities or challenges and looking for solutions as opposed to placing blame, as well as developing skills in problem solving - a disciplined approach to defining the problem and identifying and implementing appropriate solutions" (De Janasz, 2002, p. 2). Global Communication is a telecommunications company who is currently experiencing diminishing revenue and profits. Over a three year period, the company's stock dropped from $28 per/share to $11 per/share. The company eventually realized that they would not be able to succeed unless they made some changes to their company. The primary problem the company faced was too much competition from other telecommunications company's. With this in mind, the company decided to introduce new services through it's company and identify cost-cutting measures to increase revenue and profitability. Within this paper, I will discuss numerous components pertaining to issues the company faced, the stakeholder perspectives, ethical dilemmas and propose a solution to help the company.

Situation Analysis

Issue and Opportunity Identification

Effective communication is a major factor in the success of any company. With the lack of effective communication, problems can arise that could've been prevented. Effective communication brings and delivers knowledge to the appropriate channels. Kinicki & Kreitner states the following:

Managers need more than good interpersonal skills to effectively communicate in today's workplace. They also need to understand the pros and cons of different types of communication media and information technology. (p. 3)

The management team at Global Communications lacked effective communication by failing to communicate with its' employees. This occurred while the management team was involved in a decision making process to decide upon the future of the company. Through this instance, it seemed as the though the management team was being unethical and underhanded by not sharing its initial plans with its employees to make changes within the company. Management was completely aware that their communication with the union was lackluster and they needed to act upon it immediately. However, prior to realizing that action needed to be taken the union received information through the grapevine regarding the upcoming changes. This inevitably led to a conflict between the union and the company. The union felt they had been betrayed for not being informed within a timely manner to address and prepare their concerns regarding the changes. With innovative new concepts, Global Communications anticipates a change in its' company's processes.

Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas

A stakeholder is someone who has a general interest or something invested in a company. These people generally affect or are affected by the company. I have identified the stockholders, management, and the employees as stakeholders in Global Communications. There is a significant difference between each stakeholders interests, rights, and values. This definitely leads to conflicting interests between the groups. This is primarily due to the fact that each group is only interested in how they will be affected by the situation.

Within Global Communication the stockholder is generally interested in profit, performance and direction of the company. Management is interested in success, performance, customer satisfaction, revenue and profit. The interests of the employees are job security, rate of pay and current benefits. The interests of all three stakeholders conflict because each persons interests affect the others interest. As each person have their own goals in mind for the company.

The most important right to the stockholder is the right to vote on elections of board members. It allows the stockholder to influence the direction of the company. To the dismay of the employee and employers, this may have an effect on their status with the company. The rights of the employees are union representation and being paid wages for their work. Employers are not typical pleased with unions because they are avid when it comes to employees rights.

The employer has the right to initiate changes within the company such as hiring and firing. Within Global Communication, the management team had the ethical dilemma of choosing to downsize and going to outside countries to employ new workers. The employees were highly displeased with the managements decision because this meant that they would be at jeopardy of losing their jobs or receiving a cut in pay. Also, the employees at this company recently gave up 20% on their education and health benefits. This seemed highly unethical and unfair to the company's employees.

Problem Statement

Global Communications aspires to be a top contender in the telecommunications industry by gaining a substantial amount of the telecommunications market. After a substantial amount of thought and consideration, the company developed a problem statement to assist the company in it's future endeavors. Global Communications will improve the company's market share by implementing the necessary tools needed for success with local, long-distance and international markets.

End-State Vision

Global Communications is a telecommunications company committed to providing excellent service to its' customers. Throughout the years, the vision of the company has changed with the company's' demand and status. Recently a new vision was devised to assist the company with becoming a dominant figure in the telecommunications industry.

The vision of Global Communications is to provide responsive decision making while satisfying the needs of the customers, employees, and company through effective and timely communication. "By improving decision making, knowledge management, employee needs, and coordination, workplace communication has a significant effect on organizational performance" (McShane & Glinow, 2004, p. 3). The company is happy and pleased to announce the new vision for the company. We are ecstatic about the upcoming future and we anticipate that this vision will be around for a very long time.

Alternative Solutions

The Global Communications management team did not take steps swiftly to prevent the company's slumping sales. "What makes individuals and businesses ultimately successful is creativity