A CASE ANALYSIS:

THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO QUALITY

In the film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy learned many lessons. Surprisingly,
managers can learn a lot from the Wizard of Oz also. For each of the following
summaries of scenes in the film, discuss the lessons that organizations can learn in
pursuing change and a performance excellence culture.

SUMMARY OF SCENE (A):

Dorothy was not happy with the world, as she knew it. A tornado came along
and transported her to the Land of Oz. The tornado dropped Dorothy’s house on the
Wicked Witch of the East, killing the witch. “Ding, dong, the witch is dead!” rang
through-out Munchkin land, but Dorothy only temporarily lost her home support
provided by family back in Kansas. All is not good, however, in the Land of Oz.
Dorothy’s problem is to find her way home to Kansas. Her call to action was
precipitated by a crisis – the tornado that transported her to an alien land.

LESSON (A):

While company leadership strives to change their organizations for the better,
these unrequested modifications could be perceived as the “tornado” to others within
the organization. Changes are oftentimes stressful situations for all involved. It’s
crucial that management involve affected employees early and often when dealing new
adjustments so they do not feel like they are simply tossed about on the wind like
Dorothy was. Making them a part of the new processes will make the effort more
successful.

SUMMARY OF SCENE (B):

In the throes of a Kansas tornado, Dorothy is transported to an unfamiliar land.

Immediately, she realizes her world is different and the processes and people she
encounters are different, yet bear some similarity to her Kansas existence. She is lost
and confused and uncertain about the next steps to take. She realizes she is in
changed state-the Land of Oz-and must devise a plan to get home. As she meets the
other residents of Oz and garners their assistance, her empowerment grows.

LESSON (B):

Companies must strive to effectively train their employees just like how the
residents of Oz assisted Dorothy in order to garner confidence and autonomy. Simply
dropping them off and expecting them to learn on their own results in frustrations and
an unmotivated workforce.
SUMMARY OF SCENE (C):

Dorothy is a hero for killing the Wicked Witch of the East. Glinda the Good
Witch sends Dorothy on her way to meet the Wizard of Oz who will help her get back
to Kansas. The Wicked Witch of the west tries to get Dorothy’s newly acquired ruby
slippers, but to no avail. Dorothy and Toto leave for Oz via the Yellow Brick Road.
Along the way, they are joined by the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion. Through
their teamwork, they provide mutual support to endure the vexing journey. They
overcome many risks and barriers on the way to Oz, including a field of poppies that
puts them to sleep, flying monkeys and a haunted forest.

LESSON (C):

In relation to Performance Excellence and Organizational Behavior, teamwork

plays a vital role in organizational success. People who work together and cooperate
too share work and responsibility often leads to overcoming many risks, problems and
barriers that the organization faces. Just like what Dorothy and Toto did, together
with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion, they have overcome the challenges
through their teamwork and support with each other.

SUMMARY OF SCENE (D):

Dorothy and her entourage finally reach Oz and meet the Wizard. Rather than
instantly granting their wishes, the Wizard gives them an assignment to obtain the
wicked Witch's broom. They depart for the West.

LESSON (D):

Leadership, managers and groups will have to realize that goals do change
during your journey and will have to make course corrections to get to your final
destination. The final destination may even change as a result of some unknown
information that has come to light during the journey such as new customer
requirements or when projects are not on track and others will have to change their
action to help the whole. Organizations will have to take time to reflect, self- assess
and determine if there will be any changes in direction needed to keep the strategy in
place or the strategy has change and the vision and policy deployment will have to
change to get to the new destination.

SUMMARY OF SCENE (E):

Charged with the task of obtaining the broom, Dorothy and company experience
several encounters with near disaster, including Dorothy's incarceration in the witch's
castle while an hourglass counts the time to her death. In a struggle to extinguish the
Scarecrow's fire (incited by the Wicked Witch), Dorothy tosses a bucket of water, some
of which hits the Witch and melts her. Dorothy is rewarded with the broomstick and
returns to Oz.
LESSON (E):

Encounter with near disaster is struggle of achieving something, Dorothy

experienced a ruthless life while obtaining the broom, In relation of Quality and
Performance Excellence, The situation of Dorothy is now new of a business because
their a times that management face a difficult things of achieving the quality
excellence of their goods and services.

SUMMARY OF SCENE (F):

Returning to Oz, the group talks with the Wizard, expecting him to help Dorothy
return to Kansas. After defrocking the Wizard, they find out he does not know how.
The Wizard tries to use a hot air balloon to return and accidentally leaves Dorothy and
Toto behind upon takeoff. Glinda arrives and helps Dorothy realize she can return to
Kansas on her own with the help of the ruby slippers.

LESSON (F):

Like the Wizard, TQM is often claimed to have an almost magical potency to
bring about remarkable changes, except that the main problem is getting people to
believe in its powers. Total Quality Management doesn’t always go our way.
Sometimes, there are many alternatives that will somehow make a huge difference in a
certain organization or company. They should keep on trying other tools and
techniques in order to achieve quality and performance excellence.

SUMMARY OF SCENE (G):

Dorothy awakens from her dream and experiences a new understanding and
appreciation for her home and family in Kansas. "Oh, Auntie Em, there's no place like
home.

LESSON (G):

New understanding is a new knowledge or awareness. The management gain

new skills and new recognize of Quality. The management is being acquired through
observation, learning, thinking and experience.

GROUP 6 (GROUPMATES):

NONES, Eugene Dexter B.

OBALDO, Shanlee Jane

OBRA, Jeseke F.

ORPILLA, Vincent Jose B.

TIMICHAN, Junard Mark G.