Question 4

What is concurrent control? Provide an example of an activity related to

concurrent control and explain its impact on Lincoln Electric success.

In an organization, it is important to implement management controls to compare

actual performance with the predetermined standards and taking any action required to assure
all organization resources are being used in the most effective and efficient way in order to
achieve the objectives. Management teams are able to implement controls before the activity
commences, while the activity is going on or after the activity has completed. The following
controls that are based on timing of an activity are feedforward, concurrent and feedback
control.

Concurrent control, also known as the steering control, is a time-based control that
takes place while an activity is commencing. It involves the regulation of ongoing activities
and management teams are required to have a thorough understanding of the task that is
involved and its relationship to the target product. Concurrent control is also designed to
ensure that employees work activities produce the desired results and corrective actions are
to be taken before the task is completed if there are any errors.

Based on the case study, an example of an activity related to concurrent control is the
company; Lincoln Electric has implemented an open door policy for all top executives,
middle managers, and production workers. Employees are able to approach the managers to
talk about their problems and requests without making any appointments. In this way, there is
more face-face communications between the employees and manager and communication

between the employees and manager are enhanced. The employees was said to be expected
to challenge the management if there is any unfair treatment imply to them and Lincoln
Electric manager will listen to their problems and take corrective actions to solve to ensure a
safe and satisfied environment for their employees. This explains why many Lincoln workers
are committed to the company and stay with the company for life.

Another example of concurrent control that can be found in the case study is, in
Lincoln Electric, customer focus is backed by attention to the production process through
strict accountability standards and formal measurements for productivity, quality, and
innovation for all employees. Every employee has strict accountability standards and each of
them have to follow the required standards and also be responsible for their work. In
concurrent control, it is more focused on quality and quantity of products. Lincoln Electric is
more focus on quality of their product and the productivity of the worker and they use a
software called Rhythm, that helps the flow of goods and materials in the production process
so that the items that are produced meet the quality standards, if the measurements does not
meet the required standard, manager of Lincoln Electric will take corrective action to solve
this problem before processing to the final stage of production process.

In conclusion, these are the examples of activities related to concurrent control and
their impact on Lincoln Electrics success.