BMW Effectively Redesigns its Plant in Bavaria (Essay Sample)

BMW Effectively Redesigns its Plant in Bavaria
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BMW Effectively Redesigns its Plant in Bavaria
One key to the success of organizations is staff welfare. For this reason, organizations strive to improve the working conditions for their workers so that they are not exposed to avoidable hazards that would impact on the quality of their services. A case in point is BMW, which has effectively redesigned its plant in Bavaria. The company has put into place various ideas in the 2017 line. Most of the ideas involve physical changes aimed at enhancing the performance of workers. In the wake of these changes, a manager will take various actions in relation to Kolb’s model.
1 Concrete experience
As a manager, concrete experiences will form the basis of the actions I would take to enhance the performance of worker in the organization. If I find that I am too tired to carry on with my duties before the end of the day, I would find ways of reducing the fatigue, even for my employees. Nevertheless, I must uphold the principle of continuity. As Merrian puts it, "…every experience takes up something from those which have gone before and modifies in some way the quality of those which come after." (1999, p.223). This means that every experience makes us better.
2 Reflective observation
After observing new behavior, such us openly showing fatigue long before the day is over, I will engage in reflective observation to find out why this is so. Are the employees deliberately lazy? Or are they demoralized, frustrated, disillusioned in their work? As their manager, I would strive to find answers to these questions. Reflective observation will enable me to proceed to the next stage of Kolb’s model.
3 Abstract conceptualization
The observation and reflection will then form the basis of abstract conceptualizations. I would proceed to bridge the gap between my expectations from the employees and their current behavior. According to Steers, Sanchez-Runde and Nardon, this is the time to "identify a plausible explanation" for the behavior of employees and "begin searching for alternative solutions." (2010, p.61). If employees begin showing signs of fatigue early in the day, I would theorize that their bodies are under too much tear and wear. Consequently, there would be need to assess the situation and find out how the tear and wear could be lessened.
4 Active experimentation
This is the final stage in Kolb’s model. At this stage, I would practice new actions formulated from abstract conceptualization and test the implications of what I have learnt so far. Some of the ...