Question

Janet Jefferson operates a group of 10 Fresh Stop food trucks that serve lunch to busy workers in the business center of a large Midwest city. One of the most popular items on the menu is a quinoa salad made with organic vegetables. The ingredients of the​ salad, as well as other menu​ items, are prepped in a central kitchen each​ morning, under the supervision of the​ company's chef, Marie​Beck, and loaded onto the trucks. The food truck operators assemble the salads as the orders are placed to ensure maximum freshness. Janet employs a purchasing​ agent, Bruce ​Atkins, who orders produce directly from local farmers. Bruce places produce orders at the beginning of each​ week, based on projected​ demand, and the farmers make deliveries every 2 days
The cost of the produce is usually the responsibility of the purchasing agent. ​However, in this​ scenario, Marie the chef has taken the responsibility for the cost of the replacement arugula from the purchasing agent by making a purchasing decision. Since Janet holds the purchasing agent responsible for produce​ costs, Marie the chef should have discussed the decision with the purchasing agent before trying to resolve the situation.
Do you agree that Janet should be angry with her​ employees? Why or why​ not?
A. No. Janet should not be angry with her​ employees' actions because they acted to satisfy the customers on a short term basis but she should be upset at the local farmers because they should have foreseen the arugula shortage and planned accordingly. The problem lasted several​ days, which, in the course of the business will seriously harm the profits of a food truck service.
B. No. Janet should not be angry with her​ employees' actions because they acted to satisfy the customers on a short term basis.​However, had they run out of their most popular item for several​days, this could have long term implications for customer satisfaction and customer​ loyalty, and in the long run could harm profits as customers find other food trucks or restaurants at which to eat lunch.
C. Yes. Janet should be angry with her​ employees' actions and the purchasing​ agent's actions. Neither of them contacted Janet to get her solution to this problem and they both cost Janet money. Only the owner should make this type of decision in the future.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. No. Janet should not be angry with her​ employees' actions because they acted to satisfy the customers on a short term basis.​ However, had they run out of their most popular item for several​days, this could have long-term implications for customer satisfaction and customer​ loyalty, and in the long-run could harm profits as customers find other food trucks or restaurants at which to eat lunch.

Explanation:

I do not agree that Janet should be angry with her employees.  Marie acted to avert a short-term problem by utilizing a short-term solution.  If Marie permanently replaces Bruce in his role as the purchasing agent, then something must be wrong.  She cannot replace Bruce without Janet's authorization because Janet employed Bruce directly and not through Marie.