OM Assignment

Making hotplates

As per the case, each of the 10 workers assisted in a part of assembling the hotplate. When there
was a change in the method of producing a hotplate, wherein each worker was responsible for
producing an entire hotplate, there was a significant shift in productivity. The new method
significantly increased the morale and responsibility of the workers. Thus, the workers felt that they
had more control over the situation and that they were an important part of the hotplate making
process. The case study evaluates the benefits of job enlargement.

Examples in Manufacturing and Services sector

1. In the fireworks manufacturing in India, the working conditions are extremely poor. Children
are employed with no formal training and no training gear as they fill gunpowder into small
earthen pots, rocket tubes and paper shells. People work in congested working conditions.
Thus the employee morale is very low but people take up these jobs to make their ends
meet.
2. The electronics industry in China provides poor working conditions to their employees. The
working conditions are unsafe, employee dorms are overcrowded and workers are made to
work inhuman hours.
3. India’s garment industry came under fire a few years back when there was a report by the
International Labour Organization that shed light on the harsh working conditions. Workers
were paid very less, workers were physically abused and at times workers were cheated of
their hard-earned money.
4. The Food Services Supply in USA (farm workers, warehousing workers, grocery store workers
and restaurant and food service workers) has been accused of having adverse working
conditions. The workers earn incredibly low wages and they have little access to paid sick
days and health benefits. There was no safety training provided to workers, gender and race
discrimination etc.