Case Name :      Black & Decker-Eastern Hemisphere and the ADP Initiative (A)

Authors :           Allen Morrison, J. Stewart Black

Source :             Ivey Publishing

Case ID :            98G005

Discipline :        Business & Government Relations

Case Length :    17 pages

Solution Sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

Bill Lancaster, the new president of Black & Decker-Eastern Hemisphere, attempts to introduce a new performance appraisal and management development system. Black & Decker is a relatively weak player in the Eastern Hemisphere and Lancaster is convinced that he needs to significantly increase the number and quality of managers in the region. To assist in the development process, Lancaster is considering introducing a U.S.-designed Appraisal Development Plan (ADP) in the region. ADP uses 360-degree feedback from peers, subordinates, and supervisors to assist employees in building managerial skills and in increasing personal accountability. Despite a successful track record for ADP in Black & Decker North America, members of Lancaster’s top management team are concerned that ADP will be a failure in the Eastern Hemisphere. They argue that the system faces huge cultural hurdles and that Lancaster is flirting with disaster if he proceeds.