The Bob Knowlton case

The Bob Knowlton case describes a situation that works out badly.

Summary
Bob Knowlton quit his job as head of the Photon Lab suddenly and found a better position with more salary. But, Jerrold and Fester felt shocked on Knowlton’s decision. No one knew that why Knowlton wanted to leave.

1. Discuss the reasons why what happened happened.
Knowlton resigned
He felt insecure. He thought Fester was taking over his job as the leader of the team.
He doubted about his own ability.

Photon Lab lack of capable leader.

Because of communication break down, Knowlton left assuming that Dr.Jerrold is letting Fester taking over his job.

Dr.Jerrold did not show communication competency. He should have been more sensitive to the message direction and information flow in his organization.

2. Consider the personalities involved, especially those of Knowlton and Fester, and the organizational characteristics.

Scientific Management perspective - theoretical approach to organizations that emphasizes organizational design,worker training for efficiency, chains of command, and division of labor. The perspective rests on the assumption that work and organizations can be rationally or “scientifically” designed and developed.

After Fester joined Photon Lab, Dr. Jerrold concerned only about the job performance of Fester rather than the attitude, behavior in group or his ability to adapt to the team. Dr. Jerrold, Bob and Fester’s boss, was extremely impressed with Fester and also was expressing that openly with the team.

Open System. Although Jerrold and Bob shared an open relationship, Bob did not indicate to Jerrold that he was having a problem and felt threatened by Fester’s brilliance and existence in the team.


Work Group:
Under Knowlton supervision, have discussion every morning

3. Imagine yourself in the position of Dr. Jerrold at the end of the case, reflecting back over the events. Is there anything you could have done, on the basis of what you knew or could have known at the time, that would have led to a more favorable outcome? State your reasoning.
Dr.Jerrold could have better interpersonal communication skill. If he had considered Bob Knowlton's personality and communicated his intentions when hiring Fester, the story would have been different from what happened happened. He could have spent more time in communicating with Knowlton, informing him that Fester would be placed in a Air Force new team soon, so as he can prepare Fester to lead another team in the future.
Give Knowlton vacation leave so that he could have a break in work, get some fresh air that he may think clearly and he may make a better decision than quit his job and leave the team so sudden.