P&G recently moved its IAMS pet food division from Vandalia (OH) to Mason (OH). The move affected 240 workers, who were offered positions to join the 2,000 workers occupying the pet food division headquarters in Mason. A company statement indicated, “We're doing this to increase productivity, collaboration, and access to P&G's resources/expertise.” P&G also told employees that it was beginning a separate, multi-month study on how to increase collaboration and efficiencies with the 250 employees still working in its pet food research and development complex located in Lewisburg (OH). What research might be included in the multi-month study to determine the future of the Lewisburg R&D facility and its employees?
Problem Statement : Please provide a one-paragraph overview of the problem and why it is an important problem in this business scenario.
Purpose of Research: Please provide a one-paragraph explanation of how research can help solve this problem.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Problem Statement
Procter & Gamble (P&G) recently relocated its IAMS pet food division from Vandalia, OH, to Mason, OH, affecting 240 employees and offering them positions at the new location. However, 250 employees still remain at the pet food research and development (R&D) facility in Lewisburg, OH. P&G has initiated a multi-month study to determine how to improve collaboration and efficiencies for these remaining employees. The critical challenge is to assess whether maintaining operations in Lewisburg is sustainable or if relocating employees and resources to Mason or another location would yield better productivity and cost-effectiveness. The decision impacts workforce stability, operational efficiency, and long-term strategic alignment with corporate goals. Addressing this issue is crucial as it affects employee retention, resource allocation, and the overall success of P&G’s pet food R&D efforts.
Purpose of Research
Conducting research will provide P&G with data-driven insights to determine the most efficient and productive course of action for the Lewisburg R&D facility and its employees. The study will likely include workforce assessments, cost-benefit analyses, operational efficiency evaluations, and potential relocation impacts. Research will help determine whether employees in Lewisburg should integrate with the larger Mason headquarters, remain in their current facility with operational improvements, or explore alternative strategies such as remote work or hybrid models. Additionally, the study may involve employee sentiment surveys, infrastructure assessments, and benchmarking against industry standards to ensure competitiveness. By analyzing these factors, P&G can make an informed decision that aligns with both business objectives and employee needs, ultimately fostering innovation, reducing redundancies, and improving collaboration across the pet food division.
I’ll also generate an image to visualize this scenario.
Here is the generated image illustrating a corporate office setting where business analysts and researchers are discussing strategies for workplace collaboration and efficiency. Let me know if you need any modifications or further details!