OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Human Resource Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the human resource frame
2. Apply the human resource frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

Southwest airlines was founded on the fundamentals of affordable airfare and short flight
times. Since their founding they have stuck to these founding principles. Offering only
short haul flights, basic aircrafts, and only two seat options: economy and low fare.
However, the new generation of fliers are emerging and many people in Southwest’s
management sector believe they should adjust their approach for the transitioning
generation. Should Southwest stick to their founding principles, or conform to the new
generations' higher technological and seat standards?
2) Describe how the human resources of the organization influenced the situation.
The human resources department created by Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines is
unlike others in the industry. This is because it was created not by the fleet of planes
under Southwest's Control nor the customers they serve. Rather their focus on the
employees that make Southwest a safe, reliable company. This employee-centric view is
the basis for Southwest’s human resource department. Similar companies have tried to
follow a similar management style. However, none are as successful as the “Love”
airline.
This employee focused human resource department is not the only component which
makes Southwest the successful airline it is today. Rather, the management team that
provides tangible and concrete backing to their employees. This means the management
team consistently refers to employees when recommendations or changes are desired
from stakeholders. This human resource management style, although simplistic in nature,
is the basis for many of the transformational improvements in the company.
3) Recommend how you would use the human resources for an alternative course
of action regarding your case.
Southwest's emphasis on employees in the human resource department is the framework
of their company. Because of this, this case can greatly benefit from receiving insight
from customer feedback directly from flight attendants, pilots, and airport staff. Because
employees are the people who work directly with customers. It is much easier for them to
 relay customer airline experience than management personnel. This feedback can be
received by passing out voluntary questionnaires on flights or by receiving feedback
online. The questionnaire should be kept simple by containing one or two questions as to
whether customers would pay more for better seat options or technology on planes.
Because of the human resource structure that Southwest employs. Employees are the
basis for organizational change in the company. They have the opportunity to relay
transformational change to their upper management division. This creates the opportunity
for higher net income in the company. This is all possible because of Southwest's
emphasis on obtaining insights from all levels of the company. As well as the
management team that appreciate these insights.
4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.
Southwest’s human resource structure makes it possible to get insights directly from their
customers. It also gives freedom to employees to quickly solve operational or managerial
glitches when they arise. I believe this type of human resource department is perfect for
Southwest. It creates an atmosphere where employees are able to make the changes
necessary for their department to succeed. And gives management the opportunity to
focus on more important items needing their assistance.
The HR components Southwest employs work perfectly for their company. If I were to
make changes to the company, I would continue the employee backed support from
management because of the freedom it gives their employees. Southwest has proven
when employees are valued and treated equally to management, they feel better about
their job and have an urgency to do their best. The only thing I would change in their
structure is a laid out pathway which allows employees to transition to management and
higher income and positions.

References
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021).Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership (7th ed.).
San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

The History Of Southwest Airlines. (2022, June 5). Simple Flying. Retrieved October 13, 2022, fr
om https://simpleflying.com/southwest-airlines-history/
O'Reilly, C. A., & Pfeffer, J. (1995). Southwest Airlines (A). Harvard Business
Publishing. https://hbsp.harvard.edu