Andreea-Cristina Ureche

Ionuț Bogdan Constantinescu

Tudor Gireada

Laila Alfarra

Mircea Toma Angelescu

Imane Trafi

In the case the group has been formed and started a meeting for new high-end,designer pet coffins in
the market to develop new designs for the new product to meet growingdemand everywhere. José has
been appointed as its chair. Mariana Preus said that the currentdesigns are top-notch and no need to
develop a new product line and Noto Takeshi agreed onthat. Then José reminded everyone why the
group has been formed; to revolutionize theproduct and its manufacturing systems based on solid
evidence and industry data. Sinceexisting designs were old enough to manufacture easily at low cost to
make a significant impacton the market, though the discussion turn up again into the benefits of using
the existingdesigns. At the end Tex suggested to follow what Mariana recommended. Others nodded
theirheads in agreement and exhorted to start right away to design the plant and the
manufacturingsystem. In addition they urged José to submit the memo to the council of presidents with
thisrecommendation. José repeat the purpose and informed that the proposal would not besatisfied the
council of presidents.

Case Questions
1. Which characteristics of group behaviour discussed in the chapter can you identify in this case?
Conflicts, roles, person-role conflict.
ROLE:
In the case the joint venture was created to make, sell, and service pet caskets (coffins) for theburial of
beloved pets (cats and dogs). Each company has assigned their valuable personnel.
NORMS:
In the case the group members shared their point of views and everyone listened to each other.
STATUS
In the case the members of the group are from three different countries with different way ofperception
and rituals.
SIZE
In the case, there are nine people in the group. The group is not small but not that big also.However, it
has enough members to solve problems and make decision for the improvement ofthe product line.
COHESIVENESS
In the case, the group is under the Moderate Productivity because the members were in highNorms but
less cohesive; they are not motivated enough to contribute their productivity ratherthen they are
interested to finish the meeting as soon as possible without giving importance tothe purpose of the
meeting.
DIVERSITY
In the case, the diverse nature of the members of the task force influence and affect the committee’s
actions and decisions
2. How did the diverse nature of the group affect the committee’s actions?
If was affected negatively, the joint venture didn’t go as expected. Jose took the joint venture as a
meeting with his friend, he didn’t impose his position within the company and mention the fact that he
is the leader of the group and that their purpose is to design the product as it saves costs for the
company.
3. If you were in Jose’s position, what would you have done differently? What would you do now?
I would start by imposing myself and making them understand the purpose of the joint venture. I would
deliver to the group a direct message at the beginning telling them what is the purpose of it and what
tasks they have in order to complete the requirements from the committee. If there is someone that is
seeing things differently and has an opinion I would take them in a discussion separately from the group
making sure him/her understands our goal here. If that person would continue to mind their own ideas,
I would choose a different person to take his/her place and also after this joint venture I would review
him/her activity during their period within the company to see if there is a lack of motivation in the
middle.