Case Study

Magdi Batato at Nestlé Malaysia (A): Introducing team-based production

8 pages
September 2011
Reference: IMD-3-2199

In June 2005, Magdi Batato, executive director of production for Nestlé Malaysia, was frustrated, having spent the last four months trying to convince the Nestlé Malaysia Production Management Committee to adopt a new approach to organizing production improvement: team-based management with goal alignment across teams and increased team autonomy. However, the committee had yet to reach a consensus on whether or not to endorse such an initiative. Batato, a 14-year Nestlé veteran with an excellent track record in leadership and production had been transferred from South Africa in September 2004. Soon after arriving, Batato concluded that his biggest challenge was to ensure the long-term sustainability of the seven local factories, despite their above average performance. His experience and research convinced him that this approach was the best way to make the next performance leap. He did not face active resistance, but there was a seemingly endless parade of reasons to “examine the options further,” to “wait for better conditions.” Working in a semi-autonomous work team (SAWT) required internal motivation and initiative, so forcing the Committee to move might backfire. There was no urgent need to turn productivity around, but Batato knew that implementation took time and he had already been in Malaysia for nine months of what was likely to be a five-year assignment. He wanted to push ahead, but how could he do so without jeopardizing the effectiveness of the changes?

Learning Objective

This case examines approaches to performance and production improvement, particularly the concepts of semi-autonomous work teams (SAWTs) and continuous improvement.

Keywords
Team-based Production, Continuous Improvement, Performance Improvement, Performance Measurement, Group Accountability, Empowerment, Coaching, Culture, Mindset, Change Management, Human Resource Management, Food, Nutrition, Wellness, Strategy
Settings
Asia, Malaysia
Nestlé, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
2005
Type
Field Research
Copyright
© 2011
Available Languages
English
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This case study is part of a series
  • Magdi Batato at Nestlé Malaysia (A): Introducing team-based production
  • Magdi Batato at Nestlé Malaysia (B): First the systems, now the people
This case study is part of a series
  • Magdi Batato at Nestlé Malaysia (A): Introducing team-based production
  • Magdi Batato at Nestlé Malaysia (B): First the systems, now the people
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Magdi Batato at Nestlé Malaysia (A): Introducing team-based production
By Martha L. Maznevski and Tom Gleave
Case reference: IMD-3-2199 ©2011
Summary
In June 2005, Magdi Batato, executive director of production for Nestlé Malaysia, was frustrated, having spent the last four months trying to convi...
Reference IMD-3-2199
Copyright ©2011
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Nestlé
Industry Healthcare;Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Magdi Batato at Nestlé Malaysia (B): First the systems, now the people
By Martha L. Maznevski and Tom Gleave
Case reference: IMD-3-2200 ©2011
Summary
This follow up case looks at the changes implemented by Magdi Batato after two years as executive director of production at Nestlé Malaysia. In Jun...
Reference IMD-3-2200
Copyright ©2011
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications