Rendell Case
Chapter
3
Behauior in Organizations
111
Cmn 3-1
Rervonr-r- Coir,rpawy
Fred Bevins, controller of the Rendeli Company, was concerned about the organizational status of his divisional controllers. In 1985 and for many years previously, the divisional controllers reported to the general managers of their divisions. Although Mr. Bevins knew this to be the general practice in many other divisionally organized companies, he was not entirely satisfied with it. His interest in making a change was stimulated by a description of organizational responsibilities given him by the controller of the Martex Corporation. The Rendell Company had seven operating divisions: the smallest had $50 million in annual sales and the largest over $500 million. Each division was responsible for both the manufacturing and the marketing of a distinct product line. Some parts and components were transferred between divisions, but the volume of such interdivisional business was not large. The company had been in business and profitable for over 50 years. In the late 1970s, although it continued to make profits, its rate of growth slowed considerably. James Hodgkin, later the president, was hired in 1980 by the directors because of their concern about this situation. His first position was controller. He became executive vice president in 1983 and president in 1984. Mr. Bevins joined the company as assistant controller in 1981, when he was 33 years old. He became controller in 1983. In 1980, the corporate control organization was primarily responsible for (1) financial accounting, (2) internal auditing, and (3) analysis of capital budgeting requests. A budgetary control system was in existence, but the reports prepared under this system were submitted to the top manageThis case was prepared by Robert N. Anthony, Harvard Business School. Copyright Haroard Busiress School case 109-033 by the President ald Fellows ofHarvard College.
ment group directly by the operating divisions, with
3
Behauior in Organizations
111
Cmn 3-1
Rervonr-r- Coir,rpawy
Fred Bevins, controller of the Rendeli Company, was concerned about the organizational status of his divisional controllers. In 1985 and for many years previously, the divisional controllers reported to the general managers of their divisions. Although Mr. Bevins knew this to be the general practice in many other divisionally organized companies, he was not entirely satisfied with it. His interest in making a change was stimulated by a description of organizational responsibilities given him by the controller of the Martex Corporation. The Rendell Company had seven operating divisions: the smallest had $50 million in annual sales and the largest over $500 million. Each division was responsible for both the manufacturing and the marketing of a distinct product line. Some parts and components were transferred between divisions, but the volume of such interdivisional business was not large. The company had been in business and profitable for over 50 years. In the late 1970s, although it continued to make profits, its rate of growth slowed considerably. James Hodgkin, later the president, was hired in 1980 by the directors because of their concern about this situation. His first position was controller. He became executive vice president in 1983 and president in 1984. Mr. Bevins joined the company as assistant controller in 1981, when he was 33 years old. He became controller in 1983. In 1980, the corporate control organization was primarily responsible for (1) financial accounting, (2) internal auditing, and (3) analysis of capital budgeting requests. A budgetary control system was in existence, but the reports prepared under this system were submitted to the top manageThis case was prepared by Robert N. Anthony, Harvard Business School. Copyright Haroard Busiress School case 109-033 by the President ald Fellows ofHarvard College.
ment group directly by the operating divisions, with