Q Alicia's Big Issues The major issues confronting Alicia Smithfield are these: (1) The furniture manufacturing functions are very disorganized. It is not clear how to best organize these functions. For example, the varnish and dye experts each use a different method to complete their tasks. (2) The production schedule is a mess. It is not clear which projects should be completed first to ensure products are being delivered to customers on time. (3) The lumberjacks, both cutting trees down and shipping them by truck or boat, differ on the best methods to perform these tasks. (4) Tempers are flaring as a result of the disorganization. The office, clerical, and support workers are rude to each other and can't seem to act as a cohesive work unit. (5) While the company is financially successful, as it has grown from a small family-owned business to a large and complex enterprise, the organizational structure has not kept pace. Few formal rules exist, and the keeping and maintenance of records are haphazard. (6) Employees are feeling overworked and losing satisfaction in the work they are doing. They believe their basic needs are not being addressed. Alicia's Proposed Issue Solutions Alicia Smithfield is familiar with all of the contributors (e.g., Weber, Gilbreath, Taylor, among others) to the management theory you have read about this week. She has decided to hire six (6) of those contributors to management theory from the week's readings as consultants. (We shall now refer to those contributors (e.g., Weber, Gilbreath, Taylor, among the others) in this week's readings as "consultants.") Each of the six (6) consultants selected will be assigned to solve only one of the six (6) issues listed above. Alicia's problem is that she is unclear as to which of the six (6) contributors selected from the week's reading to be her consultants are best matched to solve each of the six (6) specific issues listed above. Your Task for Your Initial Post You are to answer four (4) of the above-mentioned six (6) issues identified by Alicia Smithfield. Specifically, she has asked you to recommend a consultant to solve four of the six issues confronting her. You have been requested to explain to Alicia why you selected the four consultants you chose to solve each of the four selected issues. Each consultant will solve one of the four issues you identified that particular consultant to address. You must explain the major contribution/idea of the consultant selected and how that contribution/idea applies to the specific issue you have recommended that the consultant solve. You must identify the school of thought that each consultant represents. Note: You may not use any of the individuals in the readings to solve more than one of the four (4) issues. If a person you select is deceased, do not let that inconvenience stand in your way. You may still use that individual to solve a specific issue. For research associated with this discussion, you must use course materials only. You must provide APA formatted in-text citations and references for each of the four (4) issues you select. Format for Your Initial Post You must use the exact numbers and corresponding headings for your initial post for each of your 4 selections. For example, one student's post may be numbered 1, 3, 5, 6; another student's post may be numbered 1, 2, 4, 5; and so forth. Any four of the six issues listed that a student selects to answer will be acceptable. 1. Manufacturing Functions are Disorganized 2. Production Schedule is a Mess 3. Lumberjack Disagreement Methods To Cut Trees/Load Boat 4. Tempers Flare among Office Support Staff 5. Lack of Formal Rules/Record-Keeping Processes 6. Basic Needs and Job Satisfaction Overlooked Two Options for Your Required Replies to Classmates Option 1 is that you find a consultant selection made by a classmate to address a specific issue, as identified by the issue number and description, with which you disagree. You must state why you believe a better consultant should address a particular issue that differs from your classmate's response. You must state the major idea associated with your choice and why that idea applies to the issue more appropriately. Your reply must be supported with course materials, in-text citations, and references. Option 2 occurs if you agree with all of a particular classmate's consultant selections. In that case, you must address one of the remaining two (2) listed issues that your classmates did not answer. You will explain which consultant you think could best address that issue, the school of thought that individual represents, and explain how that individual's major contribution or idea applies to the specific issue you selected. Your reply must be supported with course materials, in-text citations, and references.