Final answer:
A manager trying to convince union members to accept a pay reduction would take on the role of a Negotiator according to Mintzberg. This role involves critical decision-making and the ability to effectively discuss and shape agreements beneficial to both the labor force and the company's sustainability. The manager would balance the interests of the workers with the company's financial constraints and productivity goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Mintzberg, a manager would assume the role of a Negotiator if she were trying to convince union members to accept a 25-cent-per-hour reduction in pay in order to keep the manufacturing plant open. This scenario requires the manager to engage in talks and discussions to reach an acceptable agreement that considers the well-being of both the workers and the company's future. In essence, as a Negotiator, the manager must look at various scenarios such as the impact of wage increases on the firm's labor strategy, including decisions to invest in machinery which can affect employment levels.
Henry Mintzberg identified ten managerial roles categorized into three groups: interpersonal, informational, and decisional. The Negotiator role falls under the decisional category, which comes into play when managers need to make significant decisions that impact the organization. Therefore, when facing the need to reduce labor costs due to increased wages, a manager must negotiate effectively to maintain operations. Strategies may include discussing the investment in machinery that could make workers more productive, but possibly at the cost of hiring fewer employees, as productivity gains can reduce the overall demand for labor.
The presence of labor unions often leads to higher pay for worker-members because they have collective bargaining power. However, when unions push for higher wages, this can sometimes lead to a lower quantity of workers hired by employers as they seek to balance increased labor costs with productivity. Businesses might invest in capital to reduce dependence on labor, which can also indirectly result in reduced hiring due to greater efficiency and automation.