Trader Joe$$s Case Discussion Questions

Chapter $1$

$1.$ How does Trader Joe$$s use human capital as a source of competitive advantage?

$2.$ Which aspects of high$-$involvement management are represented in Trader Joe$$s approach to managing its associates?

Chapter $2$

$1.$ Compared to other companies in the service sector, is Trader Joe$$s more or less likely to experience discrimination problems? Explain your answer.

$2.$ How could Trader Joe$$s approach to selecting new workers interfere with the development of a diverse workforce? What should it do to prevent difficulties?

Chapter $3$

$1.$ How do you think globalization will affect Trader Joe$$s over time? Please discuss several ways it could affect company operations.

$2.$ Will Trader Joe$$s need to adjust its management approach as increasing numbers of people from other cultures join its Crew? Explain your answer.

Chapter $4$

$1.$ To what extent do you believe training and learning are more important for Trader Joe$$s than for other grocery companies?

$2.$ Could problems in person perception affect associates at Trader Joe$$s$?$ How so$?$

Chapter $5$

$1.$ Given the nature of Trader Joe$$s jobs and culture, which personality traits are most important for associates to possess?

$2.$ Compared to the industry, Trader Joe$$s has a low turnover rate and is consistently ranked as a great place to work. Why do you think Trader Joe$$s associates are so satisfied and committed to the organization?

Chapter $6$

$1.$ Are Trader Joe$$s crew members likely to experience problems with procedural and$/$or distributive justice? Explain your response.

$2.$ Which of the major motivational practices are emphasized by Trader Joe$$s in its management system? Does the company include meaningful rewards, tie rewards to performance, design enriched jobs, provide feedback, and$/$or clarify expectations and goals?

Chapter $7$

$1.$ Based on demand$-$control and effort$-$reward models of stress, are Trader Joe$$s crew members likely to experience a great deal of stress?

$2.$ Does Trader Joe$$s need a wellness program? Why or why not?

Chapter $8$

$1.$ Based on contingency theories of leadership, which approach to leadership should be used by Mates? Why?

$2.$ Is Dan Bane a transformational leader? Why or why not?

Chapter $9$

$1.$ Which approaches to interpersonal communication are likely to be most useful at Trader Joe$$s$?$

$2.$ Trader Joe$$s shares a great deal of information with its associates. Would this degree of transparency work well in other organizations? Why or why not?

Chapter $10$

$1.$ Which decision styles fit Trader Joe$$s the best? Why?

$2.$ Which group decision pitfalls seem most likely to affect the crew at a Trader Joe$$s store, and which decision$-$making techniques would you recommend for countering those pitfalls?