Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Case Notes
Chapter 4: Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making
Toyota Motor Corporation
1. How does Toyota address both decision making and problem solving in its
operations?
The first five steps of Toyota’s 8-step problem solving process address “decision
2. How does Toyota’s approach to decision making and problem solving address the
four management functions?
The four functions of management are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
3. How does Toyota apply the six-step decision making process model in its
operations?
The six-step decision making process model presented in this chapter are: 1. classifying
and defining the problem or opportunity, 2. setting objectives and criteria, 3. generating
4. How does Toyota use groups to support decision making and problem solving?
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Toyota believes that teamwork is a critical part of its culture. This means that all workers
5. What do you think of Toyota’s 8-step problem solving model? Do you think you
could use it at any of the employers where you have held part-time jobs or
internships as a student? Why or why not?
6. Do you think that it would be better for Toyota to use a more informal approach
to decision-making and problem solving so that management and workers have
more flexibility to address issues they face in performing their jobs? Why or why
not?
Was Target Missing the Mark with Fashion Designer Clothing?
1. Explain the objective, decision and problem when Target collaborated with Lilly
Pulitzer and other designer firms.
Target’s objective was to bring back the full mantra of “expect more, pay less.” They
2. When Target deactivated their website, what type of decision did they make?
Explain.
Non-programmed decision. It was not a part of their strategic business plan when
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
3. How could Target have utilized steps 4–6 in the decision-making model with their
inventory to have a more successful launch?
Rather than having a predetermined amount of merchandise available online or in stores
4. Did Target use the Delphi technique? Elaborate.
It is not evident that they did so. The Delphi technique is used to come up with a solution
5. If you were in charge of operations for these collaborations, what type of
decisions would you have made during the creation and launch of these lines?
Answers may include, but not limited to, introducing limited amount of inventory every so
6. Did Target make the right decision by collaborating with Lilly Pulitzer and other
designers to revitalizer their “Tar-zhay” image?
Answers will vary but should focus on the difference between the firm’s strategy
7. Do you think Lilly Pulitzer Company was satisfied by this outcome?
Answers will vary from satisfied since they got a great deal of exposure with no criticism
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
8. Please rate the customer value on a scale of 1 (low)–10 (high) with regard to the
Lilly Pulitzer collection and other designer collections at Target.
10. The demand for these products were incredibly high prior to even seeing the collection
9. Was Target’s management ultimately effective during this launch? (Chapter 1,
6e)
No. They did not achieve the desired objective of recapturing this market segment again.
10. What type of managers were used heavily on this project? Distinguish their
responsibilities.
11. Did Lilly Pulitzer enter a licensing contract with Target?