To combat increasing competition by lowering its prices, Rumbearc Inc., a paper carton box manufacturing company, decides to mechanize most of its production processes. Subsequently, Rita, the chief human resources officer of the company, makes a media announcement regarding its decision to lay off 600 employees. In the context of managerial roles, which of the following roles does Rita illustrate in this scenario?

In this scenario, Rita, the chief human resources officer of Rumbearc Inc., is illustrating the role of a spokesperson. In the context of managerial roles defined by Henry Mintzberg, a spokesperson is responsible for communicating on behalf of the organization to outsiders. By making a media announcement about the company's decision to lay off 600 employees due to mechanization of production processes, Rita is fulfilling this role by disseminating information to the public and possibly other stakeholders about organizational changes and the reasons behind these changes.

Extra: Henry Mintzberg, a renowned management academic, identified ten roles that managers play within an organization, which are categorized into three groups: interpersonal roles, informational roles, and decisional roles.

1. Interpersonal Roles: - Figurehead: Symbolic head; required to perform a number of routine duties of a legal or social nature. - Leader: Responsible for the motivation and direction of employees. - Liaison: Maintains a network of outside contacts who provide favors and information.

2. Informational Roles: - Monitor: Receives a wide variety of information; serves as the nerve center of internal and external information of the organization. - Disseminator: Transmits information received from outsiders or from other employees to members of the organization. - Spokesperson: Transmits information to outsiders on the organization’s plans, policies, actions, and results; serves as an expert on the organization’s industry.

3. Decisional Roles: - Entrepreneur: Searches the organization and its environment for opportunities and initiates projects to bring about change. - Disturbance Handler: Responsible for corrective action when the organization faces important, unexpected disturbances. - Resource Allocator: Makes or approves significant organizational decisions. - Negotiator: Responsible for representing the organization at major negotiations.

Understanding these roles can help clarify the different functions that managers must perform within their positions, and particularly in Rita’s case, her role as a spokesperson is crucial in managing the organization's communications and maintaining its public image during the period of change.