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

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

Samsung had released a device known as the Galaxy Note 7. After being available to the
public in 2016, the batteries would overheat to the point where the phone would catch fire.
Because of this problem, some consumers experienced burns and there were reports of property
damage. This ultimately led to Samsung’s market value, recalling millions of Galaxy Note 7. My
external role for this organization is being an analyst. Collecting data throughout the organization
is important for me to better understand the situation that occurred with Samsung. This will help
me provide some clarity of the situation and to review different approaches that could have been
taken. While also being a potential customer of Samsung devices and services, looking into this
as an analyst will allow me to see all the facts. (Samuelson, K., 2016)

2) Describe how the human resources of the organization influenced the situation.

Human resources of the Samsung organization is derived around development strategies.

Samsung believes “that ethical management is not only a tool for responding to the rapid
changes in the global business environment, but also a vehicle for building trust with its various
stakeholders including customers, shareholders, employees, business partners and local
communities” (Samsung, 2020). This specific situation with influenced by human resources by
lack of promoting strategy development across all organizational levels. That is division and
department levels. The big disconnect seemed to revolve around the product development
department.

The lack of strategic planning caused a product to be launched to the public that eventually
put lives at risk. HR provides strategy development training for the organization as well as
resources. Poor training can cause miscommunication between key stakeholders of launching a
new product. The lack of strategy development training across the Samsung organization caused
oversight with crucial safety standards that should have been tested. It is important for human
resources to keep senior leaders on track and not to lose sight of decisions needing to be made
for the business. Because of poor decisions being made and lack of communication questions
how much human resources is really investing in the organization’s reputation and training that’s
provided for the employees.

1
3) Recommend how you would use the human resources for an alternative course of action
regarding your case.

Regarding my case with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 catching on fire, I would use Human
Resources to provide training for all divisions throughout the organization. This should be a high
priority and needs to be brought to everyone’s attention. Every employee should be required to
take training sessions. Human Resources should then monitor the completion rate. This will
ensure that all employees have taken the same training session regarding communication,
strategy development, and safety standards. I have been part of an organization that sent out
training sessions, but they were never announced. If employees aren’t being notified of high
importance training, they are likely not going to do it. Consequently, this can create poor
performance with each division. The importance of training allows these divisions within
Samsung to create a cohesive work force, helps employees meet requirements and promotes
better communication throughout the organization.

Another alternative course of action regarding my case would be ensuring Human Resources
provides product development managers within each department required SOP (Standard
Operating Procedure) for project plan completion. Within the SOP, there is a required check list
before a product can be available to the public. Providing this training to the specific departments
will provide the knowledge that these managers need to effectively manage a project. I believe
that if this was enforced by the Samsung HR, the Galaxy Note 7 catching on fire in consumers
possession would have been prevented.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned about
this frame.

What I would have done differently is make sure Human Resources empowers
employees. Empowering employees involves “encouraging autonomy and participation,
redesigning work, fostering teams, promoting egalitarianism, and infusing work with meaning”
(Bolman, G. 2021). Focusing on empowering employees will result in an increase in
development and motivation. This is an important factor when it comes to improving the
organization’s performance and overall productiveness. While empowering Samsungs
employees, HR should be providing up to date, accurate information, and continued support.

Providing information and support allows employees to feel confident about the work
they are accomplishing; in turn, if they feel confident it is likely they will be more productive
once it comes to completing their tasks. This is known as Open-Book management. I would
make sure the Samsung organization is aware and understands the Open-Book management
because it helps makes employees feel trusted by management and see the big picture on “how
their work affects the bottom line and how the bottom line affects them” (Bolman, G. 2021). By
enforcing Open-Book management, it will help pinpoint any issues and work to provide a

2
solution. Empowering Samsung employees and providing information / support throughout the
organization is what I would have done differently.

3
 References

Bolman, G., Lee, Deal E., Terrence. (2021). Reframing Organization Artistry, Choice, And
Leadership. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from
https://app.perusall.com/courses/ogl-481-org-leadership-pro-seminar-i-2022-fall-b-
795852759/reframing-organizations-artistry-choice-and-leadership?chapter=Ac07

Samuelson, K. (2016, October 11). A Brief History of Samsung’s Troubled Galaxy Note 7
Smartphone. Time.
https://time.com/4526350/samsung-galaxy-note-7-recall-problems-overheating-fire/

Samsung. (2020). Leadership & Mission | About Us. Samsung Us

https://www.samsung.com/us/about-us/leadership-and-mission/