Reference no: EM132621738

Sam is a production line worker in Henry Ford's famous manufacturing plant at Highland Park, Michigan in the early 1910s. He is working on the production of the Model T Ford. For a relatively unskilled worker, Sam is paid well - he earns $5 per day. But the work is hard. He works six, nine-hour shifts each week. The production line never stops, and Sam is forced to work at a fast, unrelenting pace. The work is repetitive, and often he has cramps in both his hands from repeating the same movements over and over again, and in his legs from having to stand nine hours per day. He is only allowed breaks when his supervisor permits. Sam's immediate supervisor is very intimidating and rarely lends a sympathetic ear to employee's needs or wants. Sam feels he has some valuable ideas on how the production line can be improved but feels unable to raise them. Sam does not like his job and is suffering from burnout - both physically and mentally. He loathes coming to work, and always feels sad and tired. But, with a wife and 3 children to provide for, he comes to the plant and works hard each and every day. Sam feels he's having trouble working at the same speed as his younger colleagues.

Please answer both (a) and (b) parts for this question:

(a) Explain what you understand by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Then, using this model, identify Sam's current need and explain your reasoning. You must use examples from the given case to support your reasoning.

(b) Explain i how would you apply the Scientific Management approach to Sam's situation. Also, using the scenario given in the case, discuss the shortcomings of the Scientific Management approach.