Discuss about Management Theory and Practices of Amazon.
The growth of the companies is based on the sustainable attitude they have towards their functioning and the management of their chief resources. However, at times, the companies fail to undertake the humanitarian approach that is being imposed by the corporate responsibilities for their quick growth and expansion in the international markets (Hill, Jones & Schilling, 2014). One of such companies that are being addressed in the report, Amazon, undertakes their functions in a manner through which the company faces an ethical dilemma. The company is reported several times for mistreating the employees and thereby assign them with functions with a poor providence of remuneration. The most essential elements of the dilemma is based on the theories and the practices that are being undertaken by the organization for its growth in the markets. The application of the Darwinian philosophy for its growth and evolution has helped in undertaking steps for the steady rise in the growth of the organization in the market.
The report enumerates the theories and the application of the same on the organizational framework for bringing out the desired results in the market situation of the organization. On the other hand, the company’s disregard for the ethics is again another factor that must be considered while evaluating the success of the organization in the market scenario. The report aims at discussing the different factors of the theories of bureaucratic management and the contingency theory. On the other hand, the application of the neo-classical management theory and its application in the structure of the organization will help in bringing forth the changes in the proceedings of the organization in the market.
The Scientific management practices undertaken by the organization, Amazon, help in determining the enhancement of the productivity of the organization in the market. However, it restricts the functioning of the organization in a sustainable manner depending on the needs and the requirements of the human resource. The processes undertaken y the company is being criticized in various media articles, which clearly stated their crude attitude towards the workforce. The most important consideration that is being undertaken by the organization are based on the fulfilment of the organizational objectives through the efficient functioning of the workforce. On the other hand, the company has taken steps to improve their productivity through the proper implementation of the Bureaucratic theory, which stated the specialization of the functions of the departments, and the division of the work based on the specialization. It has helped the organization in making a significant improvement in the situation of the company in the market. According to a report, two segments of the customers are required to be considered by the company while implementing the strategies of management. The first section, which is a very small portion of the segment, understands the value of the sustainable approach of the organization and values it (Myers, 2013). The second group, which is large in its size, cares little about the sustainability and focuses more on the services. The application of the theories in the management of the organization has undoubtedly helped the organization to bring in differences in the situation of the organization in the market. On the other hand, the attitude of the company towards the workforce is an evidence of the cruelty imposed by the company on its workforce.
The basic considerations that are being undertaken by the organization are based on the enhancement of the productivity of the organization. it has helped the organization in undertaking its growth and expansion in the market. On the other hand, from an ethical point of view, the organization has created a negative impact on the workforce through the decisions taken by the management for the expansion of the working hours of the human resource. The organization has undertaken the Modern theories of management for the proper management of their organization (Peteraf, Gamble & Thompson, 2014). The modern theories have helped the organization in understanding the different aspects of the change that is required by the company for bringing in improvements in the structure resulting to its expansion. However, the modern theory has outnumbered the clauses of the neo-classical theories of management, which was workforce centric (Easterby-Smith, Thorpe & Jackson, 2012). The application of the theory on the processes undertaken by the organization has helped in undertaking steps that are required by the organization for enhancing their functions in the market. On the other hand, the ethics of the management based on the understanding of the needs of the employees and the maintenance of the culture is an important consideration that is required to be undertaken by the organization.
According to the requirements of the report, the concerned company has made use of the scientific management practices for undertaking an increase in the productivity of the organization in the market (Brown & Forster, 2013). The company has taken steps to improve the productivity of the same through the induction of the policies based on the smooth functioning of the human resource of the organization. The exploitation of the workforce through the pressurized production has affected the workforce greatly (Trevino & Nelson, 2016). The scientific theory of management inhibits the functions of the management relating to the increase in the productivity disregarding the welfare of the employees. The quantitative measures taken by the company are based on the requirement of the company to enhance its productivity in the market. On the other hand, the pressurization on the maintenance of the quantity has affected the quality of the services that are being provided by the workforce. It has affected the progress of the company in the market.
The administrative management theory is also being adopted by the organization in order to increase the efficiency of the functioning of the workforce. It has helped in the understanding of the different aspects of the change that is being undertaken by the organization for bringing in improvements in its structure and market situation. The combined action of the administrative and the scientific management has helped the organization in bringing forth improvements in the situation of the organization in the market (Schaubroeck et al., 2012). On the other hand, the company has compromised on the understanding of the different needs of the workforce, which has affected the smooth functioning of the organization. The management has taken steps and decisions in order to undertake steps in order to enhance the competition in the workforce (Chun et al., 2013). It has greatly affected the morale of the individuals and thereby affects the integration of the workforce. Moreover, the authoritative leadership that is being undertaken by the management of the organization has reduced the scope of entertaining the needs and the requirements of the workforce thereby creating a major impact on the retention rate of the workforce. According to Ford and Richardson, (2013), the lower retention rate of the workforce affects the company in undertaking the smooth functioning and thereby results to an interrupted improvement in the situation of the workforce.
The concepts of the ethical theories help the organizations in bringing forth the integration in the workforce through proper motivation and their sustainable approach in the organization. It helps in determining the different aspects of the change that is being undertaken by the organization for planning their needs for expansion in the market. the application of the virtue ethics of the workforce helps the organization in making a sustainable approach for their growth in the markets (MALO?, 2012). The application of the ethics helps in determining the different aspects of the functioning of the workforce through motivation and proper support that governs the undertakings. Ethics helps in determining the justification of the functions and the decisions that are undertaken by the organization (Ciulla, 2014). The long working hours and the hefty schedule that is being imposed by the organization on the employees have helped in determining the structure of the organization. The important factors that are being considered by the organization is based on the effective functioning of the organization in the market (Mahmood, Basharat & Bashir, 2012). On the other end, the mistreatment with the workforce and the critically competitive workplace environment has caused discontent among the workforce. It affected the production of the company and the retention rate of the same in the market. According to an employee, the company has taken steps to dominate over the lifestyle with their hasty working schedule and their weary and long working hours. It has not only affected the health of the employees but also affected the efficiency at work (Canina, Palacios & Devece, 2012). The company demands absolute commitment of the employees towards their work. It has affected the growth of the company greatly based on the ill functioning and the interrupted services that are being provided by the employees.
The dilemma that is being faced by the concerned company is based on the inefficiency of the ethical practices. According to a report published in the New York Times, the company has taken steps in order to make the employees sacrifice their livelihood in order to serve as the best elite class working team. It has helped the organization in making its quick progression in the market (Nytimes.com., 2018). However, the decisions has affected the sustainable approach of the organization and can be determined as a poor management policy for getting the work done. Evidences are being found where the company has taken steps in order to inject a competitive environment in the workforce through the functioning of a secret feedback system, which was supposed to keep the employees aware of the issues individually (Hbswk.hbs.edu., 2018). On the other hand, the high-pressured working environment that is being created by the management of the organization with the aim of making its progression in the market is the cause of suffering for the employees. The high-pressured schedule affects the health and the daily livelihood of the people working in the organization. It is beyond the ethics of the organization with an approach of sustainability in the market (Lawrence & Weber, 2014).
The communication system in the organization is being compromised through the autocratic leadership of the management. However, the implementation of the leadership has affected the structure of the organization largely (Pomerol & Barba-Romero, 2012). In different ways, the management of the organization and the decision taken by the same influences the functioning of the organization in the market. The workforce helps in the smooth functioning of the business however, the lack of ethical decision-making have resulted to a discontent in the workforce, which results to an irregular flow of work in the organization (Mansouri & Rowney, 2014). Michael, an employee of the organization believed that the company has taken steps that are favourable for the growth of the company but compromised the welfare of the people working for the organization. The hefty hours of work and the attitude o the management towards the workforce has created an impact on the smooth working of the organization in the market.
The exploitation of the employees beyond their capabilities to contribute to the business processes is considered unethical for a business enterprise (National Ethics Association, 2018). However, the concerned company has taken steps in order to control the lives of the employees through the allotment of the working hours, which makes it mandatory for the workers to work at least 80 hours a week despite of the physical and the mental in-capabilities. The company has decided to fire those employees who fail to show their concern for the growth of the organization in the market (McGrath & Bates, 2017). The proper exposition of the resources and the managerial framework has helped the organization in making up decisions that might not be ethically correct but have implemented them on the workforce for increasing the productivity. It is to be noted that the concerned company has taken steps in order to utilize the workforce and exploit them in every possible manner for making a fortune in the market (Minoja, 2012). The authoritative leadership style of the organization disregarding the welfare of the people working for the organization has affected largely on the functioning of the organization in the market. The ethical dilemma that resides within the company is based on the decisions taken by the organization for its growth and expansion in the market. On the other hand, Tsai and Pai (2014) believes that the company has progressed in the market because of the hard work that is imposed on the workers of the organization. It has helped in determining the progress made by the company in a shorter span since its inception. The people working in the company are actually facing the risk of losing their lives at any instance due to their incapability to stand up to the expectations of the organization. It has affected the loyalty of the workers and the smooth functioning of the operations (Crane & Matten, 2016). The implementation of the decisions that are undertaken by the company for making its progress in the market affects the livelihood of the people. The application of the theories on the management of the organization has helped the organization in bringing forth improvements in the structure of the organization. On the other hand, Killen et al., (2012) believed that the decisions taken by the management for proper management of the workforce would have been more beneficial for enhancing outputs of the organization. The procedures undertaken by the organization relating to the workforce is based on the requirements of the organization to make its progress in the international markets. the dilemma in the ethics of the organization is based on the requirements of the organization to undertake its progress in the markets. On the other hand, the welfare of the workforce is again a major consideration that must be undertaken by the organization for promoting its smooth functioning.
Conclusion
Therefore, from the above analysis of the theories of management and the application of the same on the case of Amazon it can be stated that the management of the organization influences the proper functioning of the workforce. It helps in determining the motivation that is being provided to the workforce based on the requirements of the company. The remuneration that is being provided and the working hours create a major impact on the smooth functioning of the workforce in the market. Therefore, the company must take steps in order to keep the workforce motivated. On the other hand, the competitive environment that is being created by the concerned company in the workplace has affected the working environments. The major aspects of the change that the company aims at undertaking helps in determining the different aspects of the management related issues faced by the organization. The decisions that are being undertaken by the organization are not based on the welfare of the people working for the organization. Therefore, the ethics seem to collide with the objectives of growth and expansion of the organization. The dilemma that is being faced by the organization relating to the functioning is characterized by the decision that is being taken by the organization. The organization must take steps in order to improve the working conditions. On the other hand, the company has made it mandatory for the employees to work 80 hours a week, which might seem hefty and long for women working in the organization. Therefore, the company must take steps in order to change the phrase “working in the organization” to “working with the organization”, which implies that the employees are valued and thereby decisions are made based on their welfare. This will help in improving the lower retention rate of the company and the retention of the skilled workforce. The retention of the skilled workforce helps in determining the progress of any organization in the market. Therefore, the change in the game plan of the organization will help them in undertaking the possible measures for bringing in improvements in the market situation.
The most important consideration undertaken by the organization are based on the understanding of the preferences of the customers worldwide. The feedback that is received from the customers helps the organization in bringing in changes in the systems of the organization. As discussed in this report, a very low quantity of the customer segment is bothered about the sustainable approach of the organization. Therefore, this segment of the customers focuses mainly on the quality of the services that are being provided. The policies of Amazon must be revised in order to adhere to the wellbeing of the people working for the sustenance of the company in the market. The retention of the skilled workforce will also help the organization in making its improvements in the situation. On the other hand, smooth functioning of the teams will help in the proficient functioning of the organization in the market. The competition that is being promoted by the organization in the workforce has broken apart the integrated workforce to fragments. Therefore, the company must take steps in order to integrate the workforce. It will help the organization in bringing forth fast improvements in the situation.
References
Brown, J. A., & Forster, W. R. (2013). CSR and stakeholder theory: A tale of Adam Smith. Journal of business ethics, 112(2), 301-312.
Canina, L., Palacios, D., & Devece, C. (2012). Management theories linking individual and organizational level analysis in entrepreneurship research. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 8(3), 271-284.
Chun, J. S., Shin, Y., Choi, J. N., & Kim, M. S. (2013). How does corporate ethics contribute to firm financial performance? The mediating role of collective organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. Journal of Management, 39(4), 853-877.
Ciulla, J. B. (Ed.). (2014). Ethics, the heart of leadership. ABC-CLIO.
Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. R. (2012). Management research. Sage.
Ford, R. C., & Richardson, W. D. (2013). Ethical decision making: A review of the empirical literature. In Citation classics from the Journal of Business Ethics (pp. 19-44). Springer Netherlands.
Hbswk.hbs.edu. (2018). What’s Wrong With Amazon’s Low-Retention HR Strategy?. HBS Working Knowledge. Retrieved 20 January 2018, from https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/is-something-wrong-with-amazon-s-low-retention-hr-strategy
Hill, C. W., Jones, G. R., & Schilling, M. A. (2014). Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. Cengage Learning.
Killen, C. P., Jugdev, K., Drouin, N., & Petit, Y. (2012). Advancing project and portfolio management research: Applying strategic management theories. International Journal of Project Management, 30(5), 525-538.
Lawrence, A. T., & Weber, J. (2014). Business and society: Stakeholders, ethics, public policy. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
Mahmood, Z., Basharat, M., & Bashir, Z. (2012). Review of Classical Management Theories. International Journal of Social Sciences & Education, 2(1).
MALO?, R. (2012). THE MOST IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP THEORIES. Annals of Eftimie Murgu University Resita, Fascicle II, Economic Studies.
Mansouri, M., & Rowney, J. I. A. (2014). The dilemma of accountability for professionals: A challenge for mainstream management theories. Journal of business ethics, 123(1), 45-56.
McGrath, J., & Bates, B. (2017). The Little Book of Big Management Theories:… and how to use them. Pearson UK.
Minoja, M. (2012). Stakeholder management theory, firm strategy, and ambidexterity. Journal of Business Ethics, 109(1), 67-82.
Myers, M. D. (2013). Qualitative research in business and management. Sage.
National Ethics Association, I. (2018). High-Tech Cruelty: Inside Amazon’s Heartless (and Unethical) Workplace. Ethics.net. Retrieved 20 January 2018, from https://www.ethics.net/a/high-tech-cruelty-inside-amazon-s-heartless-and-unethical-workplace
Nytimes.com. (2018). Inside Amazon: Wrestling Big Ideas in a Bruising Workplace. Nytimes.com. Retrieved 20 January 2018, from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/technology/inside-amazon-wrestling-big-ideas-in-a-bruising-workplace.html
Peteraf, M., Gamble, J., & Thompson Jr, A. (2014). Essentials of strategic management: The quest for competitive advantage. McGraw-Hill Education.
Pomerol, J. C., & Barba-Romero, S. (2012). Multicriterion decision in management: principles and practice (Vol. 25). Springer Science & Business Media.
Schaubroeck, J. M., Hannah, S. T., Avolio, B. J., Kozlowski, S. W., Lord, R. G., Treviño, L. K., … & Peng, A. C. (2012). Embedding ethical leadership within and across organization levels. Academy of Management Journal, 55(5), 1053-1078.
Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right. John Wiley & Sons.
Tsai, H. T., & Pai, P. (2014). Why do newcomers participate in virtual communities? An integration of self-determination and relationship management theories. Decision Support Systems, 57, 178-187
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download