Question

Howley Home, a popular American company selling affordable home furnishings sourced from around the world, recently appointed Richard Toms to head up the company's business in Morocco. The company's business in Morocco has been growing due to the popularity of the handmade carpets Howley Home imports. After reviewing his predecessor's files and meeting with suppliers and company representatives in Morocco, Richard notices that productivity slows down on Fridays, especially in the afternoons. Richard also notices that no products are shipped on Fridays at all. Richard sends an email to the suppliers asking that they start shipping goods on Fridays and also increase the number of hours worked. Richard is confident that these actions will improve overall efficiency and contribute to higher revenues.

Which of the following is a flaw in Richard's plan?
a. The government of Morocco provides substantial subsidies to start-up companies.
b. Most of Howley Home's Moroccan suppliers ship goods Mondays through Thursdays.
c. Morocco is a Muslim country in which most people practice Islam.
d. Howley Home has alliances with local furniture companies in Vietnam.
e. A significant share of Morocco's revenue comes from agriculture.

Answer 1

The flaw in Richard's plan is a cultural oversight regarding the Islamic practice of prayer and rest on Fridays in Morocco, potentially hurting productivity and employee morale.

Step-by-step explanation:

The flaw in Richard's plan to improve the efficiency and revenue of Howley Home's business in Morocco by requesting shipments on Fridays and increased working hours is a lack of cultural awareness. The correct answer is c. Morocco is a Muslim country in which most people practice Islam, which means that Fridays, particularly Friday afternoons, are times for prayer and rest for many Muslims. Thus, Richard's expectations may conflict with the local culture and religious practices, which could lead to dissatisfaction among workers and suppliers, negatively impacting productivity and working relationships.