Final answer:
Zelda promotes a participative management style, encouraging her team to innovate, which could improve productivity in line with the Hawthorne effect. Her approach, mirroring Theory Y, has the potential to enhance job satisfaction and might counteract the impersonal nature of automation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zelda's Approach to Data Processing Management
Zelda, the data processing supervisor for ABC Health, displays a management style that aligns with the principles of Theory Y. She believes in the intrinsic motivation and productivity of her employees. She encourages her data entry and word processing operators to develop their own methods for enhancing the efficiency of their work. This empowerment can lead to improved job satisfaction and better overall performance, much like the dynamic termed the Hawthorne effect.
To further promote a positive work environment, the introduction of workplace mentor programs, flexible work options, and open communication can be beneficial. These efforts support professional growth and can be a strategy to retain talent, especially in sectors facing automation challenges.
The shift towards automation, as evidenced by self-scan checkout aisles in supermarkets, demonstrates the need for businesses to adapt and find new ways to engage their workforce. In the scenario provided, Zelda's management approach may mitigate some of the negative impacts of automation by fostering a diverse set of skills and encouraging creative problem-solving among her team.
In the context of office administration, Jane's career progression from volunteering to seeking an office manager position can draw inspiration from Zelda's leadership style. By valuing employees' input and encouraging innovation, managers can better position their teams and organizations for long-term success.