Question

In 1977, Honda, a Japanese company, announced plans to build a motorcycle manufacturing plant in the United States near Marysville, Ohio, and in 1980 announced plans to build an automobile manufacturing facility in the same area. Ever since the company made these announcements, Honda’s history has been nothing but impressive.To empha- size this success, the Marysville Auto Plant now produces the Accord Coupe for export to Japan. Honda of America has become a leading auto exporter in the United States, and the motorcycle plant has produced its one-millionth unit of the Gold Wing motorcycle. Many maintain that the following belief statement, which appears prominently on the Honda of America website, is a primary reason for the company’s success: “Why do people want to work for Honda? How does Honda achieve industry-leading quality year after year, mak- ing extremely complex products such as cars, trucks, motor- cycles, and engines? The answer is in Honda’s foundation

principle—the tenant upon which all the other Honda phi- losophies are based. It’s called Respect for the Individual.”

Founders Soichiro Honda andTakeo Fujisawa believed in creating a workforce in which each member’s ideas received the full consideration and respect of the group. People are diverse and that’s a good thing, Mr. Honda believed, because diversity of thought, skills, background, and experiences can enrich the workplace and the product, if the differences are allowed to generate ideas.

In order for the associates’ best ideas to come forward, they must feel valued and comfortable speaking up and in- teracting with their work groups.That’s where respect comes in. Only in an atmosphere of maximized respect and inclu- sion can a workforce reach its highest levels of achievement.

Activities

You have just been contacted to interview for the top management position at Honda of America. You would be responsible for both automobile and motorcycle manufac- turing. Before you visit the Marysville facility for a series of face-to-face interviews, however, you have been asked to answer the following questions related to your own beliefs about how managers should handle people. Answer the fol- lowing questions in preparation for your trip to Marysville.

15. What is your personal philosophy about using “job design” as a tool for motivating Honda of America employees?

Answer 1

My personal philosophy about using job design is to provide an individual with the work for which he has interest and skills to do. People should love the job which they are doing for them to be effective. Skill can be developed but having an interest and love for jobs is critical. Rotation is also critical in repetitive jobs so people should be given varied tasks and responsibilities to keep them engaged. Employees also need to be shited to different departments if they are willing to gain different experience. Jon design is critical if one wants to move up the ladder. It is the framework upon which an employee can plan his future. It motivates the employees and takes them out of their comfort zone which helps them professionally. Employees productivity increases due to motivation and this increases their job satisfaction which is good for the company. By following a structured method of job design, the professional goals can be achieved.