Control System Design

I am currently working at Bison Transport in the Customs department. Bison Transport is a privately held, professionally managed transportation company established in 1969 by Duncan M. Jessiman in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. With more than 3,700 workers and independent contractors running a network of 2,100 tractors and 6,000 trailers across North America, it has expanded to become one of Canada's largest trucking corporations. A prominent asset-based freight solutions provider, Bison Transport, has over 4,000 qualified drivers and staff members working for them.

 

Actually, Bison Transport is working on the following projects:

 

·       Sustainability Initiative: Develop and implement a sustainability initiative to reduce the environmental impact of Bison Transportation's operations.

·       Employee Wellness Program: Design and launch an employee wellness program to promote the well-being and health of Bison Transportation's workforce.

·       Technology Upgrade and Automation: Evaluate and implement technological upgrades and automation solutions to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.

Next, I am going to analyze what form of control could be used in each of these projects:

 

Sustainability Initiative

Form of Control: Clan Control

 

Clan control would function as an effective kind of control for the sustainability program. This strategy places a strong emphasis on encouraging a culture of cooperation, shared values, and employee participation. Given the all-encompassing nature of sustainability, it is essential to include workers and stakeholders in the endeavor. Clan control would motivate staff to embrace sustainability objectives, practice eco-friendly behavior, and actively participate in minimizing the company's environmental effects. Clan control may successfully steer the organization towards sustainable practices by creating shared values and a feeling of group responsibility.

 

Employee Wellness Program

Form of Control: Behavioral Control

 

Behavioral control would be appropriate for the wellness program for employees. This type of control relies on establishing precise expectations, offering rules, and observing individual behaviors to assure compliance with intended results. To get the results you want from an employee wellness program, you need to engage in certain behaviors like exercising, going to seminars, or forming good habits. The company may encourage and direct staff to actively participate in wellness activities, resulting in enhanced general well-being, by employing behavioral control mechanisms such as goal setting, measuring progress, and providing rewards.

 

Technology Upgrade and Automation

Form of Control: Output Control

 

The initiative to improve technology and automate processes would be ideal for output control. In this situation, output control places a strong emphasis on establishing precise performance goals and assessing the results obtained. The efficacy and efficiency of operations are the main considerations for technological improvements. Output control guarantees that the expected results of technology changes are realized by developing quantifiable performance indicators including cost savings, productivity benefits, and customer satisfaction measurements. The organization is able to constantly enhance the influence of technology on organizational performance through regular monitoring and assessment of the project's outcomes.

References:

 

 

·       Edwards, J. (2014, September 12). Creating organizational control systems. Pressbooks. https://opentextbc.ca/strategicmanagement/chapter/creating-organizational-control-systems/

·       About Us | Bison Transport. (n.d.-b). https://www.bisontransport.com/about