Management And Accounting Web

Framework Questions 18 and 19

Provided by James R. Martin, Ph.D., CMA
Professor Emeritus, University of South Florida

Framework Discussion Questions

18. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the individualistic system of capitalism, first from the employee's point of view and then from the employer's point of view. Some areas or characteristics for consideration include:

Characteristic Employee's Viewpoint Employer's Viewpoint
Employee or job acquisition Specialists can find jobs in their specialty, but the jobs are less secure. Specialists can be replaced with other specialists.
Internal mobility Specialists find it more difficult to move internally. Must look outside the company for replacement workers.
External mobility There is less employee bonding with the company. Specialists have more external mobility. This external mobility creates high labor turnover and related costs of replacement.
Training costs Higher for the individual who must obtain specialty training prior to employment. Lower cost of training, but offset by higher turnover costs.
Costs of supervision. Workers are not empowered to make decisions. High supervision costs resulting from more management hierarchy and bureaucratic control.

19. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the communitarian system of capitalism from the employee's view point and then from the employer's view point in the same areas mentioned above, i.e.,

Characteristic Employee's Viewpoint Employer's Viewpoint
Employee or job acquisition It is more difficult to find a job where the employee fits, but the job is more secure after employment. It is more difficult to find people that fit a team oriented organization.
Internal mobility Good mobility for company generalist after experience and cross training. Easy to find replacements internality.
External mobility Difficult for company generalist to find a job outside the company. Employee knowledge is company specific. Employees bond with the company. Low labor turnover costs.
Training costs; Cross training is provided by employer. Higher cost of training is offset by lower turnover costs.
Costs of supervision. Workers are empowered to make decisions. Lower cost of supervision in team oriented environment.