A Case Study on Robert Princeton

Case Objective:
Why an enthusiastic and self-motivated employee Robert Princeton left his job within few months after joining despite taking some creative initiatives? What are the problems associated with the company and what are our recommendations to solve those problems?

Problems identified from the case:

1. Problems facing by the company for which Robert Princeton was appointed to solve it. Loses of videotapes by stolen or misplaced. Inadequate newly released videotapes to meet up the demand of customers. Absenteeism and tardiness of employees. High employee turnover. Expecting maximum output from low wages employees.

2.

Findings by Robert Princeton

- Irritating Boss
-

No leave policy for the employees.

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Robert Princeton

Employees were not properly trained. No long term benefit for the employees such as health insurance policy. Company is only concern about increased profit/turnover without investing in new issues. Lack of proper guidance to the employees. Lack of commitment to the values of employees.

3. Our findings from the case

There was a Conflict of Role. Momma Valenchia failed to appoint right people for right job. Robert Princeton wrongly perceived the type of company/business. Perception of Princeton about Momma Valenchia was wrong which can be categorize as Halo Effect (He was motivated by a praise, Work hard and you will be successful).

Moreover, we are completely agreed on the findings of Robert Princeton.

Why Robert Princeton left his job?

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Robert Princeton left the job for following reasons:

Values of Princeton were neglected. According to Maslow Theory, he was not being able to fulfill his higher order needs such as self esteem & self actualization. Lack of motivation. Irritating Boss. Conflict of interest and role.

Before we go for suggestions or recommendations, we have tried to define the characteristics of Princeton and Mario based on the topics we learned from our OB course.

Robert Princeton

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Personalities

Personality of Princeton:

According to Mayers-Briggs Type Indicator, Princeton falls under ENTP type which is a conceptualizer because he is an innovative, individualistic and has entrepreneurial drive.

- According to Big Five model he has a personality of Openness to Experience as he is very imaginative and have interest with novelty. He has the quality of effective leadership. - He has low self monitoring personality trait for which he could not adjust with his boss. - He also has Proactive personality as he has taken many initiatives proactively within short time.

Personality of Mario:

Narcissism. As he has a grandiose sense of selfimportance and off - course he is arrogant.

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Values

Values of Robert Princeton:

Terminal Values
1.

Instrumental Values
1.

Freedom i.e. free choice to take initiatives. Inner Harmony such as freedom from inner conflict. Sense of Accomplishment.

Helpful such as working for others welfare. Imaginative or creative work. Capable or competent.

2.

2.

3.

3.

Values of Other Employees: Terminal Values

1.

Instrumental Values 1. Responsible such as feeling importance to attend someones programme. 2. Logical such as conscious about health.

Family Security such as taking care of loved ones. Happiness.

2.

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Perception

Robert Princeton use shortcut to judge the behavior of Momma Valenchia which is called Halo Effect.

Mario has Selective Perception of judging Princeton because he judged on the basis of his own interest and attitude rather thinking future outcome form the work done by Princeton.

Motivation

There was no motivation system in the companys culture. Basically it is the major drawback of the falls video.

How the situation could be avoided by Princeton:

Before going for new initiative which had significant cost involvement, Princeton could emphasize on supervisory activities to establish better relationship between Mario and himself.
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Robert Princeton

Princeton could think about the emotional attachment of Valenchia family as well as vision of the company.

Princeton could identify the characteristics of Mario.

Recommendations or Suggestions:

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The Falls Video is a faster growing video rental company and they are in transition of small family business to larger organization. So they have to change their perception of operating style of the company.
1.

They should introduce modern management practice as business is becoming large.

2.

Momma Valenchia should be involved in decision making role besides her son as she is a co-founder of the video shops and has more experience on it.
3.

To increase the efficiency of employees the recommendation of Robert Princeton should be implemented immediately which will motivate them.
4.

Robert Princeton

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