REPLY

Make sure the Responses includes the Following: (a) an understanding of the weekly content as supported by a scholarly resource, (b) the provision of a probing question. (c) stay on topic

1. It is important to have an understanding of management, to include the various levels of management and the roles and responsibilities of those various levels because they play an important part in an organization. Management personnel are the primary source for development of employees and teams. Management at various levels have the ability to help employees with their performance. These people are ones who help others find satisfaction in their jobs but also to have a higher quality of work performance (Schermerhorn, 2014, p.19). They help employees develop their skills and become better at their work, but also foster an environment that encourages them to help one another and come up with new and more effective ways of doing their work. Understanding organizational behavior is important to an organizations effectiveness and efficiency because it allows decision makers to understand the behaviors of workers within their organizations. Organization behavior includes those of individuals, teams, and how they help develop various skills (Schermerhorn & Uhl-Bien, 2014, p.4). Understanding people and how to influence them is an important part of a manager’s job. They must understand each member of their team and how to develop their skills to help their team reach their potential. The study of management is important because there is a need to understand how management can affect performance and individual development within an organization.

2. Like you, I believe that the study of management theory is not only relevant today, but it is crucial for the success of an organization. If we were to look at the classic management era, in particular, we could see the emergence of more proficient workflows through Scientific management. Surely, this is still around today as many automakers still rely on these methods to ensure a constant state of automobiles being created. Imagine if the Scientific management method never existed? I couldn't imagine how business today would look. I feel as though management theory is essential as it allows organizations and managers to understand the foundation in which efficiency is obtained. There are so many elements that are involved in the classical, behavioral, and modern management methods that they all end up intertwining in some ways. In your opinion, what management theory has given us the most insight as to how to run an organization?

3. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really like the way you look at Organization behavior as a tool. You are right it is a very important tool that mangers need to be successful. Understanding a person and their needs can better help you know how to move forward with this person. For example if you know someone is looking to move up and is going to school you would want to see how you can help them. Maybe it is giving them training or cross training in a different area. Managers should use all the tools and resources that are available to them to help them build the best team that they can. Understand and caring for others needs is what builds strong relationships. This makes a better employee and helps them feel invested in the company. The study of management theory is also another important tool that managers have. They can look at the things from the past to figure out what might work for them. In realizing that employees have different behaviors managers also have different management styles. A good manager should look at what they need to change to make their style and their employees behavior styles work best together. Do you feel that managers have other valuable tools and if so what tolls are important to them as a leader?

4. There are several issues that managers have to face in todays world, but there are a few specific ones defined by the text.  Globalization and job mitigation, failures of ethics and corporate governance, diversity and discrimination, and intellectual capital and self management (Schermerhorn 2014 pg 19).

One of the most discussed and most relevant (in my opinion) is diversity and discrimination.  "The term workforce diversity describes the composition of a workforce in terms of differences among people on gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and physical ability" (Schermerhorn 2014 pg 22).  We still live in a world where we are judged and criticized for our skin color, gender, race, religion, etc.  The workplace is no different, although we have evolved a little.  Minorities are growing in population, and the text forecasts that in the next 40 years there will be "true plurality" (Schermerhorn 2014 pg 22).  Minorities have to work harder to be recognized and in the workplace there should be equal rights and fair treatment for all.  They also have to deal with the prejudice that others can display negative irrational attitudes towards them (Schermerhorn 2014 pg 23).  The glass ceiling effect also holds women and minorities back from moving up to higher management positions (Schermerhorn 2014 pg 22-23).  Discrimination actively denies women and minorities the full benefits of organizational membership and it leaves people feeling neglected, unwanted, undervalued, and belittled.  Working in an environment that discriminates makes for a hostile work environment and make all parties uncomfortable.  I'm hoping that in the very near future it will be possible for every race, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc to have the same rights and opportunities that the majority have.  Being a minority can be a blessing in disguise because it makes you work harder, builds strength, and helps overcome the diversity.  

5. The four issues managers face in the new workplace are globalization, ethics and corporate governance, diversity, and intellectual capital. A strong code of ethics is important for all organizations as an organization depends on many different people. “At the end of the day, we depend on individual people, working at all levels of organizations, to act ethically” (Schermerhorn, 2014). A set of ethics is defined as a set of morals that help one maneuver what is right and what is wrong. Many companies utilize a board of directors to oversee and analyze the management of the company. This is known as corporate governance. Ethics are important in the workplace because it ensures a solid foundation for workplace behaviors, interactions, and integrity. “In a book entitled Th e Transparent Leader, Herb Baum, argues that integrity is a major key to ethics in leadership” (Schermerhorn, 2014). Strong leadership and management, especially in terms of ethics, can set the stage for the entire organization in terms of how one should act and interact with colleagues, clients, and even rival companies. Having a code of ethics can be essential in the workplace. Stemming from leadership it can set the precedent on how co-workers can interact with each other, how one can treat clients, and what behaviors are deemed inappropriate and appropriate.

6. There are three essential managerial skills. These skills are technical skill, human skills, and conceptual skills. The first, technical skill is a specific skill that is directly associated with the particular job an employee would be working on. This could be a specific application in coding, that only a qualified and experienced employee may be versed in. This could often be related to non-managerial workers in an organization, and first line managers whom oversee the work. (Schermerhorn & Uhl-Bien, 2014). An additional quality that is important is human skill. Everyone in an organization needs people that have the ability to work together, but with managers, it is even more important. According to Schermerhorn & Uhl-Bien (2014),”Human skills are the ability to work well with other people” (p. 16). A top executive, middle manager, or first-line manager should also have strong emotional intelligence that consists of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills (Schermerhorn & Uhl-Bien, 2014). These skills help these managers connect with others in positive ways and foster relationships both inside, and outside of their respective organizations. These social skills help managers to build networks of people that can help them accomplish tasks, and help when needed. Those whom lead others, should have this skill though all people in the organization should possess it. Conceptual skills are the final managerial skills needed, and are usually harnessed by upper-managers, and top executives. According to Schermerhorn & Uhl-Bien (2014), managers should be able to look at all the integral pieces of the organization, or specific situations, and see the bigger picture of how everything fits together including people. Looking at the company or situation from this view enables them to have foresight to see upcoming problems, and opportunities in their sector and adjust the business as necessary.