Reference no: EM133184188

Topic: Baldwin Bicycle, Inc. Manufacturing Group Disagreement

Background of Key Baldwin Bicycle, Inc. Key Employees in Case Study:

Karla Jimenez - a lead supervisor in a bicycle parts manufacturing group

Tino - an inexperienced group supervisor, directly under Karla Jimenez,

Alfredo - a veteran employee within Tino's group

Baldwin Bicycle, Inc. Case Presentation:

Baldwin Bicycle, Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of bicycle replacement derailleur hangers, bottom brackets, repair parts, and specialty tools. Karla Jimenez, a lead supervisor in the bicycle repair parts manufacturing group, has just received word of an argument between one of her junior supervisors, Tino, a recent college graduate, and Alfredo, a veteran machine operator. Tino's group had been working on an order for a major customer. Tino had set up a work schedule and job assignments which Alfredo, through experience, knew would not get the order out on time. Alfredo suggested a different sequence which Tino dismissed without discussion. The group began the order using Tino's setup, but Alfredo switched everyone over the minute Tino left the area. The order was finished, on time, without further incident. Tino later discovered the "switch", however, and had a loud confrontation with Alfredo in front of the entire group. Karla has reviewed the two work schedules and, indeed, Tino's assignments would not have gotten the order out on time. Since the customer uses a Just-in-Time inventory system, such a slip-up would probably have cost Karla 's company any future business with the customer. On the other hand, Karla knows that a failure to support Tino will cause an immediate loss of credibility throughout the entire department. Tino needs the freedom to make his own mistakes if he is to develop and gain experience, but at what cost to the customer?

Baldwin Bicycle, Inc., Case Study Questions (Please answer all questions)

Question 1) What are the relevant facts of the case? Please list three relevant facts about this case study.

Question 2) What are the ethical issues Karla faces? Please list at least two business ethical issues Karla faces in this case study.

Question 3) Who are the primary stakeholders in this case? Please list at least three stakeholders. (Stakeholder definition - A stakeholder is any person or entity that has an interest in a business or project.)

Question 4) What actions should Karla take? What is Karla's possible short-term and long-term alternative courses of action? Please list two short-term alternatives and two long-term alternatives for Karla

4a) What are Karla's possible short-term alternatives? Please list two short-term alternatives for Karla. Write only one sentence for each short-term alternative.

4b) What are Karla's long-term possible alternatives? Please list two long-term alternatives for Karla. Write only one sentence for each long-term alternative.