Business Studies Case Study. Open Uni, Code B120

Part I (500 words)

(a) Identify and explain any problem(s) at the Ottershaw branch of Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza from the case study that relates to the study session that you have chosen to focus on.

F.A.O. Chris Pike,

As a prelude to my formal report, here is a summary of issues within the Ottershaw branch of Zinn’s.

There are staff problems in terms of training, discipline, turnover and pilfering. There is little and in some instances no training for staff, leading to confusion and managers having to take on extra work. To some degree, staff are running themselves without clear direction and focus.

Product quality is declining as a result of poor discipline around the shop. Standards in working practice are low. Management are not motivating staff as is part of their role, leaving a morale void, creating an unhappy work environment. There are a high number of staff leaving, some to go off on half term holiday but many due to dissatisfaction with working conditions. With rumours of a new open-all-night supermarket opening nearby, some members of staff believe that they have leverage over the company, as it is perceived the new business will weaken our market position.

There is a very high wastage percentage at your branch, as staff are routinely taking advantage of a structure free regime, as your measures to cope with pilfering having no long term positive effect.

(b) Describe the concepts from your chosen session that you think are most relevant to understanding the problems you identified in Question I. Explain why you think they are useful and support your explanation with examples from the case study.

The concepts I have focused on for this case study are found in study session three, relating to the structure of a business. Given that structure exists in any organisation, whether formal or informal (Freeman, p37), it is imperative to have a good understanding of how a department or branch works both internally through the staff and...