Toyota Motors: Management Issues

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Hello Student,

Before you begin to prepare your position paper, you need to obtain an understanding of the definition of the terms management and management theory. Note the following excerpt which highlights information related to the definition of management:

Management is the art, or science, of achieving goals through people. Since managers also supervise, management can be interpreted to mean literally 'looking over' - i.e., making sure people do what they are supposed to do. Managers are, therefore, expected to ensure greater productivity or, using the current jargon, 'continuous improvement.' More broadly, management is the process of designing and maintaining an environment in which individuals, working together in groups, efficiently accomplish selected aims. In its expanded form, this basic definition means several things. First, as managers, people carry out the managerial functions of planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling. Second, management applies to any kind of organization. Third, management applies to managers at all organizational levels. Fourth, the aim of all managers is the same - to create surplus. Finally, managing is concerned with productivity - this implies effectiveness and efficiency.

(Source: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/AAPAM/UNPAN025765.pdf)

Management theory is often defined as, "the study of how to make all the people in your organization more productive." Note the following excerpt related to management theories:

In the world of business, reaching maximum efficiency is something that companies all over the world strive to achieve in order to get the most bang for their buck. Management theories evolve from certain business gurus' perspectives on how to run the most efficient business. And, although some of them are arcane and hard to implement, many feature plenty of good concepts that are practiced in thousands of businesses...Many different types of specific management theories are currently practiced, but the basic ideas behind each of them can be separated into different categories. Contingency theories take into account the fact that managers must be flexible and take the approach that best fits the situation. Systems theories look at each employee as part of a system, giving them crucial tasks that create such an environment where taking out part out of the equation would render it unworkable. Chaos theories focus on the inevitability of change and complexity in the business model...Business management theories all attempt to answer the same question: what is the best approach to managing a business in order to maximize profits?...If used correctly, management theories can drastically improve many qualities of a business, but selecting the right one for your situation and implementing it correctly is just as important.

(Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_4564680_management-theories.html)

The excerpt above points you to three different management theories, each of which you may read some more on at the following link - http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/AAPAM/UNPAN025765.pdf; in particular read from pages 11 - 20 (other traditional theories also mentioned). By reviewing the various types of management theories, you will be better able to identify the management theories that are inherent at Toyota Motor Corporation.

After you have read about the various theories, in order to prepare the actual paper, one of the first things you must do is give a brief overview of Toyota Motor Corporation, to include a description of its management philosophy and/or the theories that are inherent in the company. You then need to look at the various management issues that are present at Toyota Motor Corporation. Given word limit and time constraints you may not be able to look at all the issues facing the company; but, the main one that comes to mind and is the most talked about for the past two years or more in the company is the numerous recalls of motor vehicles that they have had - which is in part due to faulty decisions made by management.
You will need to look at this issue in detail i.e. what caused it and how it was handled by the company's management. The recall issue was one which for some time plagued the company and will continue to have an effect on the company if its management team does not continuously strive to rectify inefficiencies. You can mention in your position paper, if the way how Toyota Corporation and its management has dealt with recall issue so far - whether or not it has been effective. State whether the company has managed to regain its position on the market after achieving such poor financial results in 2009. Also, be sure to mention or provide recommendations as to how management can deal with or further enhance its position given the issue(s) that it faces.

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