Goldratt's thinking process applied to the problems associated with trained employee retention in a highly competitive labor market

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the problem of trained employee retention in a highly competitive labor market for a manufacturing facility in the oilfields of West Texas.Design/methodology/approachThis article examines how one manufacturing facility should be able to retain their trained employees by using the logic of Eliyahu M. Goldratt's thinking process.FindingsThe thinking process underscores the importance of a systematic process of problem‐solving by pinpointing the problem, determining a workable solution, and implementing the solution. By using this process, an organization would begin by looking for the underlying cause of the problem which produces undesirable effects (UDE) and develop a current reality tree highlighting these UDEs. Then the organization would develop a future reality tree which produces the desired effects.Research limitations/implicationsThe list of publications was not exhaustive and were all US publications, which might have limited its usefulness outside the USA.Practical implicationsThis paper is a useful source of ideas for training and retention of employees in a competitive labor market.