1. Would you be enthusiastic, nice, and fun if you worked for Barcelona? Why or why not?
2. Focusing on the issue that's central to this video-HR strategies and processes-explain why conflict is liable to arise at Barcelona. Judging from the video, what types of reactions to conflict-avoidance, accommodation, competition, collaboration, or compromise-are most likely to be evident, whether at individual outlets or within the managerial ranks?
3. Consider your answer to question 2. Does top management at Barcelona tend to depend more on stimulating conflict or on conflict resolution? Do you approve of the preference, or do you think that the other approach-or some combination of the two-would be more effective? In other words, how would you go about achieving the optimal level of conflict summarized in Figure 15.1?
4. For what reasons might intergroup conflict develop at Barcelona? [Hint: Recall the managers' meeting excerpted in Video Case 5.] Be as specific as you can in describing the nature of this potential conflict.
5. Here's an excerpt from the kind of advertising that Scott Lawton talks about in the video:†
EXTREMELY BUSY RESTAURANTS in CONNECTICUT'S FAIRFIELD COUNTY are looking for a GENERAL MANAGER
Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Oversee management and operations at your locations.
Execute company-wide strategic plans & implement processes to achieve them.
Ensure our high standards of guest service are upheld.
Develop, coach, mentor and evaluate performance of the management staff.
Execute operating procedures to ensure uniform performance throughout the company.
Drive Sales, Profitability and Guest Satisfaction results in the market.
Given what you know about Barcelona's HR policies, do you think that you have the right personality for a job like this one? Do you have, or would you be interested in developing, the skills for such a job? What reservations might you have about the job? (Note: The starting salary for a General Manager at Barcelona is "$100,000 +++.")