Mass Customization, Coursework Example

Ways customization can be applied to service firms

Mass customization is a production concept that employs techniques, which assist business enterprises to solve problems that come with the manufacture of a variation of products. The concept of mass customization assists the manufacturers attain gains with the production of these products in mass quantities while saving on production costs (Blecker & Gerhard, 2006). The concept uses the principle of production using the economies of scale; therefore the production of the customized products can be achieve in mass production due to the reduction of the cost per unit produced. While mass customization has been adopted by product manufacturers on wide scale including Dell and Nike, the concept is equally practical in the service industry.

One of the possibilities is in the financial service industry in areas of retirement planning and investing. The technology now makes it possible for customers to go online and get instant recommendations on the basis of their investment objectives and risk tolerance. Another potential application of mass customization is in the cable industry where customers may be able to only choose TV channels that they like and get customized quote or offer. The number of cable channels are often a lot more than most customers watch, thus, there is a good opportunity to offer better value to customers through fully or partially customized cable services.

Teaching management in business schools

Management is a crucial aspect in any organization. The grasp the essential management skills are essential to any individual who aspires to work in a business entity as management. Teaching management in business schools would, therefore, be an appropriate step towards the knowledge of management issues. The essence of this is that the individuals who go to business schools expect to come across the concept of management, therefore, teaching it in business schools seem appropriate. The teaching of management in business schools ensure that the students get the concept of management, and this helps them in their careers (Kochan, 2003). A business student and graduate, in this regard, who has management knowledge, are better equipped with the necessary knowledge in the business management compared to a counterpart who does not know anything on management. The provision of management teaching in business schools saves me as the students acquire management skills while studying for their business courses. Acquisition of management skills in business schools has become a decisive factor that institutions should consider in the provision of business courses. Management is also compatible with business courses and as such, the teaching of this subject in business schools should not be a problem to either the institutions or the students.

Although the acquisition, of most management skills is trough practice it is necessary to the theoretical understandings of management before putting the theoretical knowledge to practice (Blecker & Gerhard, 2006). The essence of using the textbook knowledge in practice is that it makes the learning of management issues accessible and easy to apply. This is because the textbook knowledge sets the groundwork for applied management practices. Regardless of textbook knowledge contributing to the management skills, it necessary for a manager the main thing is whether the manager is competent in practical management and the focus should be on the experience of the managers on these issues.

Schools are never meant as substitute for real world experience but instead their main aim is to help students learn basics and develop strong foundation that would enable them to quickly adjust in the real world and approach their profession in a systematic way. Academic theories are often based on real world observations and experiments and some theories like Porters Five Forces continue to be taught because they have successfully withstood the test of time in terms of their relevance to real world circumstances.

Technology and communications

Technological advancement affects the way managers communicate within the organization and tends to reduce the face-to-face communications between managers and other personnel. Although technology has a diminishing effect on face to face meetings, it is essential to note that the face-to-face meetings cannot be done away with altogether (Blecker & Gerhard, 2006). Despite the instances of face-to-face communications reducing, these communications are essential in the effective communication by managers with the employees. Face to facer communications by the managers helps to build a rapport between managers and the other staff. Technology advancements have, on the other hand, provided means of having something close to face-to-face meetings and this can substitute the face-to-face meetings. The use of video conferences reduces the travel expenses and attains the same results as face-to-face meetings. Moreover, the rise of globalization means that more and more work teams will be comprised of individuals in different geographical areas who would be able to communicate and collaborate mostly through technology. Thus, technology will not only directly reduce face-to-face communication but will also lead to workplace changes that leave little possibility of face-to-face communication. Thus, technology will enable managers to conduct meetings without face-to-face meetings but no level of progress in technology may entirely phase out the “face to face” meetings by managers. The face-to-face meetings are essential in some circumstances such as those where issues under consideration are extremely sensitive or when the problem requires considerable attention due to its magnitude.

Busting bureaucracies

Google has adopted a new method in terms of the exchange of ideas by its employees. This move aims at busting bureaucracies in the company through the exchange of ideas. The position is that where an employee has an idea the employee can effectively share that idea with other employees through the provisions of networks that aid transfer of knowledge (Kochan, 2003).

Another company busting bureaucracies is Ford, which made a breakthrough in the development of its new engine. The concept adopted by Ford is that of using outside specialists in the production of the engines. The benefit of this move is that it strengthened the companies’ production line, which faced erosion over time. Going outside the development hierarchy assisted ford to attain this goal.

No growth philosophy

The teaching of the no growth philosophy in business schools would be a terrible idea. The no growth philosophy provides that growth cannot be achieved. This assertion is an antithesis of the principles of expansion and growth that are essential in the progression of an organization. The no growth philosophy undermines the essence of learning in order to achieve productivity. The “no growth” philosophy should not be administered as it goes against all the other elements in business schools (Kochan, 2003). The no growth policy would give organizations an excuse to not respond to changing external environment for as long as the current performance may be satisfactory, endangering the long term future. A no growth model will also give rise to the assumption that it is not possible to revive the business once it has hit the maturity stage.

References

Blecker, T. & Gerhard, F. (2006). Mass Customization: Challenges and Solutions. Springer.

Kochan, T., Richard, S., & Sloan School of Management. (2003). Management: Inventing and Delivering Its Future. MIT Press.