Universal Computer Company Introduction In this Exercise You will Play the Role of a Plant Manager: Bachelor of Computing Essay, NUS, Singapore

Assignment Brief:

Universal Computer Company Introduction In this exercise you will play the role of a plant manager who has to negotiate sonic arrangements with another plant manager.

You will be in a potentially competitive situation where cooperation is clearly desirable. Your task is to find some way to cooperate. when to do so might seem to put you at a disadvantage. Read the background information section and the role information that the instructor has provided.

Do not discuss your role with other class members. Plan how you will handle the forthcoming meeting with the other plant manager. Record your initial proposal on the Initial Settlement Proposal form. Do not show this to the other party you are negotiating with until after the negotiations are completed.

Background Information

The Universal Computer Company is one of the nation’s major producers of computers. Plants in the company tend to specialize in producing a single line of products or. at the most, a limited range of products.

The company has considerable vertical integration. Parts made at one plant arc assembled into components at another. which in turn are assembled into final products at still another plant.

Each plant operates on a profit center basis. The Crawley plant produces computer chips. modules. cable harnesses. and terminal boards. which are shipped to other company plants. In addition to numerous computer chips. the Crawley plant makes more than 40 different modules for the Phillips plant. The two plants are about five miles apart.