bus 321

Unit 3 Discussion: Following Orders

3 3 unread replies. 3 3 replies.

The chain of command is a "“line of authority"” that spans upper levels of management to the lowest level of employee, determining who reports to whom. This organization depends upon several factors: e.g.; similarity of tasks, the complexity of tasks, physical proximity of employees, standardization, information systems, value systems and individual styles of managers. Authority, however, goes with the position and not with the individual.

Authority allows management to give orders and to expect these orders to be obeyed. Authority goes hand-in-hand with responsibility. When this authority is delegated to others, we must also give responsibility. When we make people responsible, we must also delegate authority. However, both authority and responsibility, and ultimately power, are often abused.

Surveys of U.S. managers (and managers around the world) show that is often a difference among the values, attitudes and beliefs that they hold personally and what they see in the workplace. Managers and employees may be asked to follow orders that might be out of line or unconscionable or with which they disagree. What would happen in such a situation? Where do you draw the line? How should you decide what to do?

1.Consider a conflicting situation that has occurred at your place of employment or in an organization where you are a member. If you do not work or if you are not a member of any such organization, you may use a scenario from our textbook. In this situation, a conflict arises over orders you are given or that you gave.

2.Describe the situation and evaluate the situation using these criteria:

•Who are the stakeholders? Who will be affected?

•What is your relationship to these people?

•What competing claims or values are in conflict?

•What personal and organizational values are involved?

•Where does responsibility for action lie? (role)

•Who or what caused the situation? (causal)

•Who could address the situation if this person chose to? (capacity)

•What organizational factors contribute to the ethical conflict - culture rules and procedures or possibly organizational systems?

•How much freedom of choice exists?

3.Describe the outcome of the situation. Do you agree or disagree with this outcome? Why? (If the conflict has not been resolved, what do you expect to be the outcome? Explain your position.) What could have been done differently? Use the ECPI Online Library to research and provide two tips for conflict resolution. Please be sure to cite your article or website using APA format, and include a working URL.