Positive and negative aspects of Andersen's use of the GPS-based system

• What are the positive and negative aspects of Andersen's use of the GPS-based system to monitor his drivers and salespeople?
• What advice do you have for Andersen about the use of the system for supervising, evaluating, and compensating his drivers and salespeople?
• As more and more companies turn to IS to help them monitor their employees, what do you anticipate the impact will be on employee privacy? Can anything be done to ensure employee privacy?

DROP 2 (PAGE 130)
Read the Case Study 5-2, Santa Cruz Bicycles. Answer the following questions:
• What, in your opinion, was the key factor in Santa Cruz Bicycles' successful process redesign? Why was that a key factor?
• What outside factors had to come together for Santa Cruz Bicycles to be able to make the changes they did?
• Why is this story more about change management than software implementation?

Full Answer Section

      Negative Aspects of Andersen's Use of the GPS-Based System One potential negative aspect of Andersen's use of the GPS-based system is that it could lead to employee privacy concerns. Employees may feel that they are being constantly monitored and that their privacy is being invaded. This could lead to decreased morale and productivity. Another potential negative aspect of the system is that it could be used to micromanage employees. If Andersen is constantly tracking the location and activities of his drivers and salespeople, he could be tempted to be overly involved in their work. This could lead to a decrease in employee autonomy and job satisfaction. Advice for Andersen Here is some advice for Andersen about the use of the GPS-based system for supervising, evaluating, and compensating his drivers and salespeople:
  • Be transparent about the system. Let your employees know that you are using a GPS-based system to track their location and activities. Explain the reasons why you are using the system and how you will use the data that is collected.
  • Use the data responsibly. Only use the data from the GPS-based system for legitimate business purposes. Do not use the data to micromanage employees or to invade their privacy.
  • Be fair and consistent in how you use the data. Apply the same standards to all employees, regardless of their position or level of experience.
  • Respect employee privacy. Do not share the data from the GPS-based system with anyone outside of the company without the employee's consent.
Impact on Employee Privacy As more and more companies turn to information systems (IS) to help them monitor their employees, there is a growing concern about the impact on employee privacy. Employees may feel that their every move is being tracked and that their privacy is being invaded. This could lead to decreased morale and productivity. There are a number of things that can be done to ensure employee privacy when using IS to monitor employees. First, companies should be transparent about how they are using IS to monitor employees. Employees should know what data is being collected, how it is being used, and who has access to the data. Second, companies should only use IS to monitor employees for legitimate business purposes. For example, a company may want to use IS to track the location of its sales representatives to ensure that they are visiting their assigned customers. However, a company should not use IS to track the location of its sales representatives to see if they are taking breaks or running personal errands. Third, companies should have policies in place to protect the privacy of employee data. These policies should address how the data is collected, stored, used, and shared. Finally, companies should train their employees on how to use IS in a way that protects their privacy. Employees should know how to set their privacy settings on their company-issued devices and how to avoid sharing sensitive information with unauthorized individuals. Conclusion GPS-based systems can be a valuable tool for businesses, but it is important to use them in a way that respects employee privacy. By following the advice above, Andersen can use his GPS-based system to improve his business without invading the privacy of his employees.  

Sample Answer

     

Positive Aspects of Andersen's Use of the GPS-Based System

There are a number of positive aspects to Andersen's use of the GPS-based system to monitor his drivers and salespeople. First, the system can help to improve safety. By tracking the location and speed of vehicles, Andersen can identify drivers who may be speeding or driving erratically. This information can be used to provide coaching and training to drivers, which can help to reduce the risk of accidents.

Second, the system can help to improve efficiency. By tracking the location of vehicles, Andersen can dispatch drivers and salespeople to jobs more efficiently. This can save time and money.

Third, the system can help to improve customer service. By knowing where their drivers and salespeople are, Andersen can provide more accurate estimates to customers about when their deliveries or appointments will be made. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction.