Explosion In Demand For Markham Products example essay topic

Executive Summary! V Founded in 1917, Markham Instruments Company manufactured mechanical measurement instruments sold through mail order. During the first decade of its life, the company was organized around the production of these instruments. In response to increased competition and demand for its products, Markham expanded its sales organization in 1924. The market also shifted from mechanical to electrical and electronic measuring devices during this time period.

This shift in product attributes required increased scientific skill to engineer the product. World War II brought an explosion in demand for Markham products. Along with the increased demand came a huge labor requirement to assemble the electronic measuring devices. This era was identified as the start of when the company began to operate in crisis mode. Along with the explosion in demand and number of employees, came an increase in the number or disputes between Production and other departments. Mr. Roberts and Mr. Finlay feel the increased disputes between the departments are adversely affecting the company's ability to meet the demands of a changing market and technology.

They survey the key employees to get their feedback on the problem. The key to their success is in using this feedback, along with analysis of management self-concept, to gain insights into what they can do to make the group's interactions more productive Core Issues! V Following are critical issues that impact the Markham Instrument Company: Change in the External Environment During Markham's first decade of operation, the company organized around the production of the mechanical instruments. The company founder was heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of all departments.

In 1924, the market shift from mechanical to electrical and electronic measuring devices resulted in the need for increased scientific skill to design the instruments. Organization of the company shifted focus to Sales and Engineering. There was an explosion of demand and personnel during World War II. An internal management scandal led to the replacement of Production division management with outsiders. This influx of outsiders changed the company. This period is identified as the start Markham's operational crisis.!

SS Whatever its character or purpose, a group if it is successfully to operate on its environment, needs some division of labor, some system of communications, some leadership and some discipline. !" More simply put, a group needs jobs (activities), communication (interaction) and motives (sentiments) to survive in its environment... 1. A job requires certain activities for successful performance, the nature of which varies according to the particular technology and job design. The jobs (required activities) at Markham had not been reorganized to reflect how each individual plays a part in the production of the more technically oriented equipment. ".