Case 6.1

Martin is managing a production line in a manufacturing plant in the Midwest.Martin has a quality and productivity problem in one part of the manufacturing process.He discovers that his workers aren't sure what to do.When he asks why they didn't ask questions,the universal reply is,"We Midwesterners don't ask questions,we just do."

Martin decides to address this problem by offering recognition rewards for the employee who asks the most job-related questions that lead to process improvements each month.Unfortunately,Martin finds the program doesn't work.When he further questions his workers,he discovers that no one wants to be the first to ask questions.As a group,workers still feel that they should figure it out on their own and not ask questions.

Martin persuades Carmen,a worker everyone else admires,to be the first to ask questions as part of the program.After about a month,several other people begin to submit questions,and soon everyone in the plant is asking questions.
-Refer to Case 6.1.Martin's initial solution to the problem is an example of using which influence to change individual attitudes about asking questions?
A) Changing consequences
B) Changing conditions
C) Socialization through training
D) Keeping an open mind

Question

Case 6.1
​
Martin is managing a production line in a manufacturing plant in the Midwest.Martin has a quality and productivity problem in one part of the manufacturing process.He discovers that his workers aren't sure what to do.When he asks why they didn't ask questions,the universal reply is,"We Midwesterners don't ask questions,we just do."
​
Martin decides to address this problem by offering recognition rewards for the employee who asks the most job-related questions that lead to process improvements each month.Unfortunately,Martin finds the program doesn't work.When he further questions his workers,he discovers that no one wants to be the first to ask questions.As a group,workers still feel that they should figure it out on their own and not ask questions.
​
Martin persuades Carmen,a worker everyone else admires,to be the first to ask questions as part of the program.After about a month,several other people begin to submit questions,and soon everyone in the plant is asking questions.
-Refer to Case 6.1.Martin's initial solution to the problem is an example of using which influence to change individual attitudes about asking questions?
A) ​Changing consequences
B) Changing conditions​
C) Socialization through training​
D) Keeping an open mind​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Martin's initial solution of offering recognition rewards for asking job-related questions is an example of changing consequences, where the desired behavior is incentivized by rewarding it. However, this approach did not work initially due to the existing cultural attitude of not asking questions. Martin then used socialization through an influential co-worker to change the group's attitude towards questioning, leading to a successful implementation of the program.

Case 6.1 ​Martin Is Managing a Production Line in a Manufacturing Plant

Case 6.1 Martin Is Managing a Production Line in a Manufacturing Plant