Epistemology of Retail Management - Essay Example

? Epistemology of Retail Management Introduction Retail entails change of value of commodities and services from the wholesaler to the end-consumers. Retailers stock a variety of commodities in a single business avenue as compared to the other stakeholders in the supply chain that is the producers and wholesalers. The variety of goods and services involved necessitates proper arrangement of factors within the retail market to achieve the business aspirations. Retail management calls for departmental organization to bring the customers in to the store/ outlet and fulfilling their buying needs. Philosophers have come up with theories best to meet varied retail management strategies and aligning them with varied customers’ needs with time (Tsoukas, 2005). Douglas McGregor in his book “Human side of enterprise” acknowledged an method of making an atmosphere in which employees are encouraged through imposing, direction and control or integration and self-control which he called theory x and theory y. Abraham Maslow on the other hand developed a scientific management approach called Third force psychology. In retail management, organization of employees is of paramount importance due to their respective roles in running the activities of the retail outlet. They may range from cashiers, sales persons to assistants on technical aspects of the products and services. Customers’ needs on the other hand are varied and keep changing with time, seasons and preference. With McGregor’s theory, retail mangers need to ascertain the optimum transfer of authority and/or power to their employees incorporating Abraham Maslow’s needs and preference principles to help run the retail outlet smoothly. The two theories have similarities and differences of which can be viewed in a business perspective to assist in analysis of their concepts. In business core values, values like respect, commitment to personal and professional development and focus on friendly environmental practices and unwavering commitment to quality will match well with McGregor’s theory on employees’ motivation and control, and that of Maslow’s self-esteem, confidence, achievements and respect of others and by them. In developing goals, setting results expected of different employees of the outlet, the administration, financial segments and the outlet at large can provide a benchmark of realizing departmental efforts and capabilities and an insight about what requires change. This matches well with Maslow’s self-actualization pillar where molarity, problem solving, lack of prejudice and acceptance of facts which will be a product of the employees organization. In tem endorsed product line, the two theories are similar in that retail managers will need to assign employees to their best performing sections so as to align with the customers’ immediate wants. This is due to the fact that in endorsing a product line, employees need to intensively know their products and “think big” about the possible queries by expected customers and their respective answers so as to convince the customers. The two ideologies differ in the application to meet the employees need to change in their working conditions in terms of rules and regulations company aspirations and perspectives towards their development in one hand, and customers/consumers’ need of incorporation of their changing needs and preferences on the other hand. This calls for further study on retail management and analysis of ways to merge the management styles with the customer needs. For instance McGregor’s theory of authoritative, direction and control varies with the theory of integration and self-control in that there is no clear cut of the optimum type and level of authority to the employees to achieve maximum returns (Cooper, 1999). That is, if managers use the authoritative and control style, how would employees perform in relation to meeting the customers’ needs? On the other hand if management opts for integration and self-control, what would be the effect of this internal authority in an employee towards accomplishing his/her duties and meeting the company’s aspirations? Maslow’s theory on the other hand calls for extensive study in ascertaining the correct combination of particular human/customer need in relation to what is in the market. For instance if we try to incorporate the second triangle of Maslow’s hierarchy with the retail management requirements and the laid out company core values, there will be a breakdown of what the customer/ employee needs at that stage and what the market can offer. That is, safety here viewed as security in terms of health, employment, resources and property may not fit well with the company’s intended goals which may not always work out for these needs by the employees and customers (Moser & Vander Nat, 2003). This calls for further studies to ascertain the correct and optimum combination of these needs in line with the prevailing business environment and ever changing customer needs. As a doctoral learner, these theories give an opportunity of extensive study and research to find the best optimum combination of different talents in retail market to a unitary goal of achieving company’s short term and long term goals. This is necessitated by the fact that with time employees’ work perception keeps changing and so is the customers’ needs and the dire need to incorporate these variations and disparities in application, forms the basis of my study. As a researcher, we cannot rely fully on these two theories of explaining employee-customer relations thus the need to advance research on these issues for benefits of the business fraternity. As a manger, the similarities of these theories help as a guideline in establishing the best available options mix to meet the optimum needs of the customers and business. Despite lack of clear cut of the application formulae, trial and error method of the available resources and the matching talents of the employees, I can implement the optimum solution. As a leader, the views of these philosophers acts as a guide in managing the retail business with ease maintaining the values of the labor force and still meeting the customer needs (Feldman, 2003). Conclusion Retail market serves as the crucial stage in the supply chain and the presence of variety of goods and services calls for effective management to meet customers need. McGregor’s view on the employment of resources at retail level is objective in relation to the businesses’ operations, intended goals and prevailing business status. Maslow’s philosophy is applicable in the current business environment if further studies are done. References Tsoukas, H. (2005). Complex knowledge: Studies in organizational epistemology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Cooper, D. E. (Ed.). (1999). Epistemology: The classic readings. Malden, MA: Blackwell. Feldman, R. (2003). Epistemology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Moser, P. K., & vander Nat, A. (Eds.). (2003). Human knowledge: Classical and contemporary approaches (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Read More