CASE STUDY

Abbas and Salwa have few things in common. Both are students at the same university, and both work full-time at a local supermarket to make ends meet and help pay for college. Though the pay isnt great it is a steady job that allows them some flexibility, which helps when scheduling classes. Both students joined the supermarket 2 years ago and given their similar situations, became friends quickly.

Although Salwa seems to enjoy her job, arriving and leaving work each day with a smile on her face, Abbas often grumbles and complains about his work. Much of the time, Abbas complains about his boss, Saeed, who oversees the produce department.

Salwa works for Jalal, who everyone generally admires for his friendly attitude and relaxed management style.

Most employees want to work for Jalal, as he often assigns his employees different duties each week so that the workers dont get bored. Salwa for instance works a week at checkout counter, stocking shelves next, and in culinary center next week.

The culinary center is a new service that the store is test marketing. Employees show customers how to create recipes from start to finish. It is Salwas favorite place in the store to work. She is also responsible taking customers around the store to locate ingredients for culinary center recipe, many of the ingredients being the stores finest and more expensive. The Center so far is a success, and the store finds it difficult to store the ingredients due to demand.

To help this issue Jalal encourages his employees to notify him immediately when an item is running low, and even empowers them to reorder items from the vendors. By this Salwa has quickly grasped how the supermarket operates.

Abbass supervisor in contrast, prefers most of his employees to work in the same area each day-Abbas is one of those employees Saeed believes that the best way to master a job is doing it over and over again. This means that Abbas has to stock the same produce areas each day. As boxes of produce are delivered to the stores supply room, Abbas unloads their contents into the shelves. Abbas also has to constantly reorganize the items already on the shelves to make them look as orderly as possible. Most of the time though, he doesnt feel inclined to do either the tasks.

After particularly boring monitoring of restocking apples (the store had sale of apples that day), Abbas met Salwa for lunch in the break room. After sitting down Abbas reached into his lunch box and pulled out an apple, a look of disgust on his face... If I have to look at another apple, Im going to be sick.

Bad day again? asked Salwa, as Abbas stuffed the apple back into his lunch box.

I stocked apples all morning-what do you think? Abbas retorted.

Why dont you tell Saeed you want to do something else? Salwa inquired. I see he lets Dunia work in other areas. I have even heard that she gets paid more than you. Is that true? she whispered.

Apparently, she gets paid US $2.00 more an hour, but I do the same things as she does. Oh...One thing I dont do is tell Saeed what cool shirt he has on or how awesome his car is. Theyre both pathetic if you ask me. Abbas frowned.

2 Dollars more an hour??But shes been here only since 3 months! Salwa exclaimed. And I know you work as hard as she does. No wonder youre so irritated all the time.

I dont even care anymore. Whats the point? If I stock more apples, or something meaningless like that, what does that get me? -Another sticker that says, good job? Oooh, thats really great. Thanks a bunch, Saeed! replied Abbas, punctuating his last sentence with a sarcastic thumbs-up. Anyway, how did your day go?

Pretty good, actually. Jalal and I met earlier today, and we both set a goal for me to sell ten bottles of truffle oil next week.

Wow. That stuff is pretty expensive, isnt it? asked Abbas.

Thirty-five dollars for 4 ounces, replied Salwa. It will be tough, but I have found pretty good recipe that Ill be making for customers who stop by the culinary center. She paused, then said, I think Ill be able to do it. Ive made quite few similar recipes before, and even though this one is more difficult, it shouldnt be too bad. Besides if I sell the oil, Jalal said that hell give me $75 bonus. So definitely Im going to give it a shot. The nice thing is that I will be able to do these things on my own, without someone breathing down my neck.

Well, thats certainly more than what Ill be making this week. The job is okay, but I would probably leave if I could. Its too risky now to quit. If I cant find something, then Ill be in trouble when the next tuition bill comes around. Said Abbas.

Look on the bright side. At least, you make more than Joanna. Shes been here for 7 years still working in deli, replied Salwa.

Thats true, sighed Abbas as he returned to his lunch. He looked at the clock. They had been into lunch since half an hour already. Saeed was quite the stickler about keeping lunch to a minimum. Although store policy allowed 45 minutes for lunch, Saeed often pushes his employees to keep it to 30 minutes. As Abbas quickened his chewing, Saeed strolled into the break room and opened the refrigerator, his back to Abbas and Salwa.

Walking around with soda in his hand, Saeed commented, Bit a long lunch, hey Abbas?

Abbas could feel the blood rising to his face. Its been exactly half an hour and Im almost finished, he said.

Well, we are running low on apples again. So quit lying around and get back to work. Saeed walked toward the door, stopped, and turned around. I thought that college students were supposed to be smarter than this. At the least I d hope they could tell the time. He added, I guess university must have glossed over your application. And with that Saeed left.

What an idiot, said Salwa after Saeed left.

Whats new, said Abbas. Id guess Id better get back to work. Abbas got up and returned what was left of his lunch in the refrigerator. When he opened the door, he noticed a sandwich labeled with a post-it note that read Saeeds

After glancing quickly to the door, he casually swept the sandwich on the floor. Salwa turned around at the sound.

Oops, said Abbas. He paused, staring down at the sandwich. Five second rule! he said as he picked up the sandwich, being sure to smear the underside of it on the floor. After putting it neatly on the shelf, Abbas turned to Salwa.

Well, Salwa, have a good one. I think maybe Ill take my time on those apples.

You are required to write a report on the following,

CASE ANALYSIS FORMAT

I- Facts of the Case -Introduction about the case which shall be the basis of your case

II- Point of View- Identify who will be responsible for the solution of the problem among persons or characters mentioned in the case.

III - Statement of the Problem - Identification of the problem.

IV - Objective- What the students intend to achieve in order to solve the problem?

V- Areas of Consideration by way of SWOT Analysis- Identify the internal and external factors to consider in the analysis.

VI- Alternative Course of Action- Provide at least three alternative courses of action that will eliminate or minimize the problems. Consider the significance of each course of action by indicating advantages and disadvantages.

VI - Conclusion- must reflect the summary of findings on the case.

VIII - Recommendation- the best alternative is chosen as a solution of the problem