CASE STUDY“ Doing the Dirty Work”
Chicken Processing Industry
By:
Sapan Gupta
Introduction• The current case study discusses the nature of
work in the United States.
Facts in the Case Study
• The number of poultry workers has almost doubled since 1980 and today constitute a workforce of around 250,000 people.
• Chicken processing industry has become a major component of the state economies of Georgia, North Carolina,Mississipi,Arkansas and Alabama
Problem identification
• Bad working environment: Health and sanitation problems
Tight work space
Safety issues
• Lack of back up of human
resource
Alternative solutions
• Improve working conditions by:
Providing large working space
Scheduling regular breaks during the work
Providing health insurance schemes
Establishment of shift system
Recruitment of more competent workers
Providing appropriate uniforms and equipments,
such as gloves, masks, light helmets, etc.
5. SWOT ANALYSIS
• Strengths: The chicken processing unit provides huge employment opportunities. The chicken processing plant generates large revenue for the economy.• Weaknesses: Inefficient supply chain due to a large no of intermediaries. Health and sanitation issues. Congested working space. Greater risk involved while using the instruments.• Opportunities: The growth of the industry ensures to minimize the consumer price
gap, so that the poultry products reach the customers at a comparatively lesser price.
• Threats: Risk of disease outbreak(e.g. bird flu) Huge price volatility, lack of institutional markets. Protection to domestic poultry markets withdrawn.
Conclusion Doing the Dirty Work makes visible the invisible
lives and work of domestic workers throughout
the world. It shows how many people work in
dirty, grimy and unsafe working environment.
Some of the major problems in this case are bad
working environment like tight working space,
health and safety issues and these problems can
be solved by the establishment of a human
resource department in the organization. The
department can then address various issues on
workers safety, incentives etc which will not only
enhance the profitability of the firm but also
create happy employees.
Answers to questions in the case study
• Q.1:- How relevant are the concept of competencies to the job in a chicken- processing plant?
ANSWER TO Q: 1
• Competency is basically the skills, knowledge and ability that an employee should posses to do
the particular task successfully. Working in a chicken processing plant is not an easy task. Not
everyone will be willing and competent to work in a dirty, gleaming and unsafe setting because
of the working environment, health issues and dangers associated with it. The workers need to
be an expert to use the knives, cutters, scissors and other machinery instruments they use to
perform their job. On an average the chain moves ninety chickens per minutes for nine hours, so
they should be efficient in managing time and be alert during the whole process as they work for
a continuous pace. This job requires experienced and patience labors who are willing to risk
their life to dangerous working environment. For instance, a vegetarian will not be competent
enough to perform this job. Therefore, the employees in a chicken processing plant should be
very competent and most importantly willing to do the job.
Q.2:- How might you try to improve the jobs in a chicken processing plant?
ANSWER
• Establishment of Human Resource Department
• Job rotation and shifts• Hire or recruit those people more competent
people • Provide guidelines for using the instruments
such as scissors, knives etc.
Q.3:- Are dirty, dangerous, and unpleasant jobs an inevitable part of any economy?
ANSWER
• Yes, because this job provides employment opportunities to those who have
less academic qualification. It constitutes a work force of around a quarter of
a million people in USA. Chicken processing industry has became a major
component of the many state economies like Georgia, Mississippi, North
Carolina, and Alabama etc and jobs such as these on the chicken processing
are actually becoming increasingly common.
• And there is a huge demand for the chicken not only in USA but in the global
market. The hotel industry contributes a huge chunk of revenue to the
economy.
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