fundamentals of management

C o l o r a d o S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y - P u e b l o

Division of Continuing Education Page 15 Independent Study and External Degree Completion Program

Lesson 5

Section 5: Remember to state the question and respond to it using full sentences. A note about Chapter 12: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, does not require “Affirmative Action”. Affirmative Action applies to contractors of the Federal Government and comes through Executive Order 11246 as amended by 11375. (Page 290 of the text would indicate that affirmative action comes through the Civil Rights Act of 1964) Section 5: Chapter 12: Question 1 The job analysis is probably the most critical element in the employment process. Why is this so important, and how does it differ from a job specification or description? Why is the job analysis tied to the strategic management of an organization? When reviewing the various pieces of legislation on Page 289, why is the job analysis so important to the employer when a question of discrimination arises? Section 5: Chapter 12: Question 2 More and more organizations are moving toward internet recruitment and selection processes. Applicants apply through various websites. How would you, if you were an employer, combine a realistic job preview with on-line applications? What types of information would you request from the candidate? (Think, this can be more than just a questionnaire.) Section 5: Chapter 12: Question 3 There are a number of different types of performance appraisal systems. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the following: 360 Degree Appraisal, Critical-Incident technique, Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale, and the Graphic Rating Scale? Section 5: Chapter 13: Question 1 The text refers to five types of power: rewards, coercion, legitimate, expertise and reference (referent). Define these types of power and indicate a position in an organization which is tied to each type of power. Which one is the most positive type of power and which is the most negative? Section 5: Chapter 13 Question 2 What is the function of the least-preferred co-worker scale in Fred Fiedler’s Contingency Model? What is the difference between Fiedler’s model and those of Hersey-Blanchard and Robert House? Section 5: Chapter 13: Question 3 Although the Charismatic and the Transformational Leader are similar in many ways they

C o l o r a d o S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y - P u e b l o

Division of Continuing Education Page 16 Independent Study and External Degree Completion Program

can also be very different. Read the section on the two different types of leadership and determine how they could be different or the same. Then provide an example of a Charismatic Leader who is not a Transformational Leader, and discuss why. Section 5: Chapter 5: Chapter 13: Question 4 Peter Drucker’s “Old-Fashioned” Leadership is noted in the text on page 329. How does this differ from Transformational Leadership? Section 5: Chapter 14: Question 1 Fundamental attribution error is particularly important when evaluating an individual’s performance in an organization. Describe the attribution error and provide an example as to how it could affect a performance evaluation. Section 5: Chapter 14: Question 2 The big five personality dimensions are frequently used today to identify traits in an organization. Not all of these traits are given equal importance in terms of value to the organization. Identify the traits of the Big Five and discuss their value to the organization. A hint, Conscientiousness is usually the one singled out as the most universally valuable. Section 5: Chapter 14: Question 3 Several important terms are used in this Chapter 14, which will be found in future studies. Among them are Self-Monitoring, Cognitive Dissonance, Constructive Stress, Mood, Emotion and Employee engagement. Define these terms and explain how they affect an organization. Include the difference between Emotion and Mood. Section 5: Chapter 15: Question 1 There are four major theories of motivation. These are Equity theory, Expectancy theory, Goal setting theory and Self-efficacy theory. Briefly describe each of these theories and indicate which theory you prefer and why. Section 5: Chapter 15: Question 2 Job enrichment has been used to improve worker’s satisfaction. However, there have been both positives and negatives in which have come from this practice. What are the benefits of job enrichment, and why do you think that some employees do not want this practice. In addition, why do you think that some employees whose positions have been enriched become dissatisfied with their pay? Section 5: Chapter 15: Question 3 There is a number of alternative work schedules currently practiced in the workplace. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the following schedules: compressed work hours, compressed workweek, job sharing, telecommuting, contingency, and part-time work?

C o l o r a d o S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y - P u e b l o

Division of Continuing Education Page 17 Independent Study and External Degree Completion Program

Section 5: Chapter 16: Question 1 What are the benefits of using teams in an organization? What are the difficulties? On page 390 of the text there is a section regarding meetings which includes the “seven sins of deadly meetings”. If you are responsible for a team, how can you best avoid these sins?

Section 5: Chapter 16: Question 2 There are five basic types of teams: committees; project teams and task forces; cross- functional teams; virtual teams, and self-managing teams. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each type of team? How would you accomplish team building in each type of team?

Section 5: Chapter 16: Question 3 There are four basic stages of team development: Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing. The Storming stage is often the most productive. Why do you think that this is so? Recently, a fifth stage, adjourning, has been added. Why do you think that this final stage is so important?

Section 5: Chapter 16: Question 4 There are certain terms which are considered important when addressing the processes of teams. These include group think. Why do you think that the concept of group think is so important, and what can be done to prevent it?

Section 5: Chapter 17: Question 1 What is the difference between functional conflict and dysfunctional conflict in an organization? Why is the absence of conflict a serious problem in an organization? What can cause this absence of conflict?

Section 5: Chapter 17: Question 2 There are a number of different conflict management styles: avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise and collaboration. Collaboration is often regarded as the most positive, but there are a number of problems with compromise. Why do you think that this is so?

Section 5: Chapter 17: Question 3 What is the difference between mediation and arbitration? How do they affect the final solution to a problem?

Section 5: Chapter 17: Question 4 What is the bargaining zone? Why is it so important in negotiations, and how is it established?

Once again, select one of the questions and develop it into two to three page double spaced essay!