Janet Jefferson operates a group of 10 Fresh Stop food trucks that serve lunch to busy workers in the business center of a large Midwest city. One of the most popular items on the menu is a quinoa salad made with organic vegetables. The ingredients of the​ salad, as well as other menu​ items, are prepped in a central kitchen each​ morning, under the supervision of the​ company's chef, Marie​Beck, and loaded onto the trucks. The food truck operators assemble the salads as the orders are placed to ensure maximum freshness. Janet employs a purchasing​ agent, Bruce ​Atkins, who orders produce directly from local farmers. Bruce places produce orders at the beginning of each​ week, based on projected​ demand, and the farmers make deliveries every 2 days The cost of the produce is usually the responsibility of the purchasing agent. ​However, in this​ scenario, Marie the chef has taken the responsibility for the cost of the replacement arugula from the purchasing agent by making a purchasing decision. Since Janet holds the purchasing agent responsible for produce​ costs, Marie the chef should have discussed the decision with the purchasing agent before trying to resolve the situation.
Do you agree that Janet should be angry with her​ employees? Why or why​ not?
A. No. Janet should not be angry with her​ employees' actions because they acted to satisfy the customers on a short term basis but she should be upset at the local farmers because they should have foreseen the arugula shortage and planned accordingly. The problem lasted several​ days, which, in the course of the business will seriously harm the profits of a food truck service.
B. No. Janet should not be angry with her​ employees' actions because they acted to satisfy the customers on a short term basis.​However, had they run out of their most popular item for several​days, this could have long term implications for customer satisfaction and customer​ loyalty, and in the long run could harm profits as customers find other food trucks or restaurants at which to eat lunch.
C. Yes. Janet should be angry with her​ employees' actions and the purchasing​ agent's actions. Neither of them contacted Janet to get her solution to this problem and they both cost Janet money. Only the owner should make this type of decision in the future.