Custom Leather (Scenario) Lamia Has Been Hired as a Consultant for XYZ Consulting

Multiple Choice

Custom Leather (Scenario)
Lamia has been hired as a consultant for XYZ Consulting. Her first assignment is to work with one of XYZ's newest clients, Custom Leather, Inc., a manufacturer of high- end leather furniture. Custom Leather was founded over a decade ago with the idea that great looking, comfortable leather furniture could be custom made and delivered to customers in 30 days.
Traditionally, retailers stock leather sofas to satisfy the desire to receive new furniture fast-limiting the choice of colors and style for the consumer. In stark contrast, Custom Leather offers 13 different styles in over 70 different colors-from rich, deep browns to bright, sunflower; sleek, silver grays and bright, ruby red-through a select group of retail outlets. Each piece is built to the customer's individual requirements and is shipped within 2- 3 weeks. However, the emergence of a new manufacturing technology has enabled a few, traditionally mass- production competitors to offer greater customization, minimizing some of Custom Leather's competitive advantage. As a result, Custom Leather is considering sweeping changes to current work processes and organizational structure.
-Masoud is interested in learning more about the link between strategic decision making and organizational structure. Lamia suggested he read the research and writings of__________ , which were based on studies of U.S. firms in the late 1950s and early 1960s and remain the most seminal study in this area.

A) Joan Woodward
B) Raymond Kramer
C) Alfred Chandler
D) Arthur Miller