Robin Hood Case Study
What problems does Robin Hood have? What issues need to be addressed? Robin Hood is facing numerous problems and issues, but I think the most pressing problem is the fact that the band of Merrymen has far outgrown the available resources in Sherwood Forest. Robin Hood’s faith in succeeding by strength in numbers is quickly becoming a contributor to their downfall. Income is low at this point as well, so purchasing supplies, whether near or far, will soon become impossible. If the men aren’t fed, the men can’t function. Not only is the lack of available resources a problem, but the group itself is unorganized and is lacking sufficient leadership. The issue of the group’s decline in vigilance and discipline could lead to dire consequences, especially with the Sheriff actively searching for the band’s weaknesses, and this needs to be resolved immediately.
Discuss how these concepts impact Robin’s band of Merrymen:
Division of Labor: Other than the select few individuals (to be discussed later), the men have no individual or Specialized tasks. According to Henri Fayol, this concept is beneficial to the organization by allowing the men to specialize in a limited set of activities, thereby becoming more efficient and increasing their output (Carpenter, Bauer, and Erdogan 138). For example, rather than Much being solely in charge of provisioning, several men could now be in charge of smaller aspects of the task. One man could distribute only food, while another could handle arrows and other weapons. This would free up time for Much and give the other men an opportunity to become quite knowledgeable and skilled at their new tasks.
Unity of Command: Currently, Robin Hood is the only Commander or Leader of the Merrymen. With the number of members increasing rapidly, he doesn’t know or likely never met most of his men. The men are possibly wasting time and resources attempting the same tasks. If the band was separated out into a more traditional format of Manager,
Discuss how these concepts impact Robin’s band of Merrymen:
Division of Labor: Other than the select few individuals (to be discussed later), the men have no individual or Specialized tasks. According to Henri Fayol, this concept is beneficial to the organization by allowing the men to specialize in a limited set of activities, thereby becoming more efficient and increasing their output (Carpenter, Bauer, and Erdogan 138). For example, rather than Much being solely in charge of provisioning, several men could now be in charge of smaller aspects of the task. One man could distribute only food, while another could handle arrows and other weapons. This would free up time for Much and give the other men an opportunity to become quite knowledgeable and skilled at their new tasks.
Unity of Command: Currently, Robin Hood is the only Commander or Leader of the Merrymen. With the number of members increasing rapidly, he doesn’t know or likely never met most of his men. The men are possibly wasting time and resources attempting the same tasks. If the band was separated out into a more traditional format of Manager,
Cited: 1) Carpenter, Mason, Talya Bauer, and Berrin Erdogan. "Ancient History: Management Through the 1990s." Principles of Management. Vol. 1.1. N.p.: Flat World Knowledge, 2013. 138-39. Print. 2) Carpenter, Mason, Talya Bauer, and Berrin Erdogan. "Need-Based Theories of Motivation." Principles of Management. Vol. 1.1. N.p.: Flat World Knowledge, 2013. 667-69. Print. 3) Carpenter, Mason, Talya Bauer, and Berrin Erdogan. "Process-Based Theories." Principles of Management. Vol. 1.1. N.p.: Flat World Knowledge, 2013. 685-86. Print. 4) Carpenter, Mason, Talya Bauer, and Berrin Erdogan. "Contemporary Approaches to Leadership." Principles of Management. Vol. 1.1. N.p.: Flat World Knowledge, 2013. 504-05. Print. 5) Carpenter, Mason, Talya Bauer, and Berrin Erdogan. "Communication Barriers." Principles of Management. Vol. 1.1. N.p.: Flat World Knowledge, 2013. 574+. Print. 6) Carpenter, Mason, Talya Bauer, and Berrin Erdogan. "Corporate Social Responsibility." Principles of Management. Vol. 1.1. N.p.: Flat World Knowledge, 2013. 326. Print.