Brinkerhoff

Introduction

Brinkerhoff International Inc. is an oil and gas drilling company that owns seven rigs, six of which are operational.  The organization has been able to expand due to the booming economy and the seventh rig, Rig 22, is currently being reactivated. The company, despite its small size, has built a good reputation over the years from its low maintenance costs and excellent safety records.  However, despite its economic successes, Brinkerhoff International encounters numerous roadblocks, especially in its organizational structure.

The case study focuses on the company’s Corporate Safety Supervisor, Kurt Mannheim.  Mannheim’s assigned job is to implement new safety procedures and to reinforce those that already exist in order to ensure that rigs are safe.  The way in which he carries out his duties as the safety supervisor is the root of some key problems that the company faces.  Mannheim is described as a “dictator” and does not stay within the boundaries of his position which are currently defined in a manner that overextends his powers; he claims that others are avoiding responsibility and as a result, acts outside of his authority and job responsibilities. By not building positive relationships with the rig managers, he creates miscommunication and mistrust.  The rig managers and crew see him as radical while Tom Brinkerhoff, the president of the organization, has second thoughts about his leadership and communication abilities.  For example, one time Mannheim directly threatens a rig crew by stating, “Unless you people are willing to read that manual, to understand it and to live and work by it...there will not be any promotions.”  Overall, he is disliked by both the rig managers and crew because he interferes with rig managers’ duties and deviates from the safety and operations quality role that his job entails.

The case describes a specific incident involving Kurt Mannheim that brings to light a major flaw in the organization.  In one instance,...