Question Tag: Delegation

Davidson Ltd is an automobile company based in Aba, Nigeria. It has been in
existence for nearly eighty years. The company originally began by supplying
components for small vehicles and was producing equipment during the Second
World War. However, in the nineties, it underwent rapid transformation under
the founder‟s son, Tony. Tony has diversified the company into supplying tricycle
components and spare parts to the Nigerian market. The company now employs
some 500 staff around the country and is well known for the quality of its
workmanship. The company operates under three divisions. One division is
concerned with the manufacture of tricycle components, a second division with
spare parts and the third division undertakes specific one–off work in automobile
and automobile design. The tricycle component division is by far the biggest and
accounts for seventy per cent of the total turnover. The smaller specialist
automobile design division is by far the most profitable in terms of return on
capital employed and it relies a great deal on a senior engineer, Emmanuel, who
has been with the company for more than twenty years.
Recently, the company was invited to send sample components to a Japanese car
manufacturer who is keen to commence operations in Nigeria. These components
are needed within eight months. However, Mr. Tony is concerned that his
company may not be able to meet the strict standard imposed by the Japanese
manufacturer. The deal, if it is sealed, would establish Davidson Ltd as an
important auto component supplier in South East Asia, thus, opening up the
potential for exports. Tony realises that the export potential is great and that any
initiative towards exports would get full backing from the government. While,
this is happening, the spare parts division is also showing signs of growth.
Recent reforms in part of North Africa has made companies in that region to be
very keen to modernise and innovate their old manufacturing processes and
Davidson had received business enquiries from the region.
Tony faces a dilemma. He knows that the opportunities that have presented
themselves would give the company a global presence. At the same time, he
knows that the company is solely under his management as chief executive.
Tony holds eighty percent of the shares. The other two directors hold ten percent
each. Although the other divisions have managing directors, they rely on him for
decision making. The current managing directors are family members. One is a brother in-law and the other a cousin. Their knowledge of the industry and its
workings is generally poor. He made these appointments to please his father so
that he could be left to run the company as he deems fit. Tony knows that to
satisfy the Japanese auto manufacturer, he needs to reorganise the automobile
design division and consider issues of Total Quality Management (TQM). This will
take time and requires that he delegates responsibilities to other divisions.
However, he feels uncomfortable doing this.
The company is at crossroads. The three divisions are doing well, but could do
even better, if their old, bureaucratic and hierarchical systems are reviewed.
Indeed, some of the younger managers and engineers would prefer a more open,
flexible management structure. Some of them have studied both engineering and
management in Holland and the United States, and are keen to see key
innovations in place. While Tony knows that these opportunities highlighted
above should not be missed, he has to ensure that they are handled successfully
so that the future is secured for Davidson Ltd. This requires that he takes some
tough decisions in restructuring the company within a few months.

Required:

Write a report to the Chief Executive of Davidson Ltd addressing the following issues:

a.
i. The key resources and implementation issues facing Davidson Ltd in the scenario above. (15 Marks)
ii. How the key resources will affect strategic choices. (7 Marks)
iii. How implementation issues will affect strategic choices. (8 Marks)

b. How should Tony restructure the company? (10 Marks)