Business Management and Organization
Recap Questions 4.Semester BWI Distance Study
Recap Questions 4.Semester BWI Distance Study
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Flashcards
When might fact-based objective setting be difficult or inappropriate?
They are difficult to set when opportunities in markets are found where there is not an existing
set of customers today. The future is uncertain in their industry.
How are goals and objectives related to employee performance evaluation?
Performance evaluation based on clear goals and objectives leaves little doubt about the
desired outcome.
How often should performance evaluations be performed?
At least once a year but if necessary it is performed more often.
What should be included in an employee performance plan?
Individual activities of the employee.
Goals and objectives the employee is accountable for.
What is meant by corporate social responsibility?
How companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on
society.
How does a Balanced Scorecard help managers develop social and environmental goals and
objectives? In what ways does achievement of CSR goals and objectives strategically
differentiate an organization?
Because the Balanced Scorecard is a recognized and established management tool, it is well
positioned to support a knowledge-building effort to help organizations make their CSR values
and visions a reality. The Balanced Scorecard enables individuals to make daily decisions based
upon values and metrics that can be designed to support these long-term cognizant benefits.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of decentralization?
Pros:
1. Give more authority to employees.
2. Decisions can be made more quickly.
3. Employees believe that decentralized companies provide greater level of procedural fairness.
Cons:
1. The faith is put on others to carry out company vision and mission.
2. The organization may become fragmented.
3. The unit that works together may lose the team spirit.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of departmentalization by product?
Pros:
1. Increase innovativeness and decrease response time.
2. It brings about specialization in a product.
3. Gives more attention towards specific product line or service.
4. Help to monitor or evaluate product or service performance.
Cons:
1. Creates the problem of effective control over production division by top management.
2. Product and service manager ignore overall objectives of the organization.
3. Because of interdependent responsibilities it may create the conflict.
What are the benefits of employee participation in change management?
Because employees whom participate in change management tend to have more positive opinions
about the change. This is because they will have the opportunity to show their concerns. They can shape
the change so that their concerns are addressed. They will also be more knowledgeable about the
reasons for change. Finally, they will feel a sense of ownership of the planned change.
Imagine that you are introducing a new system to college students where they would have to use a
special ID number you create for them for activities such as logging on to campus computers or using
library resources. How would you plan and implement the change? Explain using Lewin’s three step
framework.
Unfreeze – Ensure that employees are ready for the change.
Change – Execute the intended change.
Refreeze – Ensure that the changes become permanent.
Why do companies need culture?
Culture or shared values within the organization, may be related to increased performance. It is
important to have a culture that fits with the demands of the company’s environment.
Organizational culture is an effective control mechanism dictating employee behavior.
Give an example of a company culture being a strength and also a weakness.
Strength – Having an organizational culture for good customer service.
Weakness – Having the wrong culture may lead to performance difficulties, and may act as a
barrier for the organization from changing and taking risks.
coffee times during work time - Strength: good team spirit, communication | Weakness: time consuming
In what ways does culture serve as a controlling mechanism?
When dictating employee behavior. Culture is a powerful way of controlling employee behavior
than just rules and regulations.
If assumptions are below the surface, why do they matter?
Assumptions shape the organizational culture and show how employees interact and what
choices they make and also shape what is right and appropriate behavior.
What are pros and cons of an outcome oriented culture?
Pros:
1. Outperform competitors which do not use the same culture.
2. Rewards tied to performance.
Cons:
1. Unethical behavior becomes a norm.
2. Individuals see their peers as rivals.
3. Short term results are awarded resulting in an unhealthy work environment.
What is the influence of company founders on company culture? Give examples based on
your personal knowledge.
Company founders set up rituals which refer to repetitive activities within an organization that
have a symbolic meaning. They serve to teach employees corporate values and create
identification with the organization. This directly influences the company culture itself.
example: Elon Musk
What are the methods companies use to aid with employee onboarding? What is the
importance of onboarding for organizations?
Formal orientation program – introducing new employees to the company culture as well as to
their new jobs and colleagues. It has lectures, videotapes, written material.
Computer based orientation – employees spend time with management and witness customer
service. They are introduced to the company’s service standards, team orientation.
Mentors – help new employees adjust in the new work environment.
It is important because new employees should learn attitudes, knowledge and skills required to
function within the organization.
What is a social network?
A patterned set of relationships between two or more actors.
What is social network analysis?
The mapping and measuring of relationships among people, groups, organizations, web sites,
and other actors.
Why is network size important?
Network size is the number of actors. It is important because each individual has a very high
potential network of people.
Why is network centrality important?
Because it puts the actor in the position to gather information, and puts that actor to server as
a broker between two groups.
Why is network density important?
Because you can measure how many people in a network are connected to each other.
What are some key types of social networks?
1. Communication network
a. Informal structure of the organization represented in patterns on interaction.
2. Information network
a. Who goes to whom for work related advice.
3. Problem solving network
a. Who goes to whom to engage in dialogue to solve problems
4. Knowledge network
a. Who is aware of whose knowledge?
5. Access network
a. Who has access to whose knowledge and expertise?
What does the social network concept of reciprocity mean, and what are its pros and cons?
The degree to which you trade favors with others.
Pros:
1. Managers trade services with each other to get things done.
Cons:
1. Hard feelings or mistrust can result.
What does the social network concept of exchange mean, and what are its pros and cons?
Trading favors with actors whom are different from one another.
Pros:
1. You can acquire assistance from a different skill set or knowledge.
Cons:
1. Hard feelings or mistrust can result.
What does the social network concept of similarity mean, and what are its pros and cons?
Relationships tend to develop spontaneously between people of common backgrounds, values,
and interests.
Pros:
1. Easy to build networks.
Cons:
1. Dependent on people with similar interests.
How do social networks create value in a career management setting?
Career network opportunities are plentiful. You are not limited to networking to only people in
your chosen field.
What are some ways that an organization can manage the social network to be more
innovative?
The first step, connect, involves the identification of key people in the organization with the
innovative mindset.
Second step is to set boundaries and engage, where the networks goals and objectives are
defined.
Third step, support and govern, the leadership structure of the network is decided.
Finally, managing and tracking.
Why should managers be concerned about the ethical implications of social network analysis?
Because of the three ethical concerns which are: violation of privacy, psychological harm, and
harm to individual standing.
Why might it be unethical for managers to neglect the organization’s social networks?
Social networks exist and the social capital they provide is an important and powerful vehicle
for getting work done.
What characterizes a personal social network?
Kindred spirits from outside the organization that engage in the individuals to learn for personal
advancement.
What characterizes an operational social network?
People you need to accomplish assigned, routine tasks.
What is a simple rule of thumb for determining if someone should be in your operational
network?
“Either you’re necessary to the job and getting it done, or not”
What characterizes a strategic social network?
People outside your control who will enable you to reach key organizational objectives.
What two barriers interfere with the development of strategic networks?
Time constraints and negative personal attitudes.
What are the characteristics of transformational leaders? Are transformational leaders more effective
than transactional leaders?
1. Charisma – behaviors that inspire confidence.
2. Inspirational motivation – to inspire others.
3. Intellectual stimulation – challenge organizational norms or the status quo.
4. Individualized consideration – show personal care for the well-being of others.
What does it mean to be a servant leader? Do you know any leaders whose style resembles servant
leaders? What are the advantages of adopting such a leadership style?
Servant leaders put their employees first, understand their personal needs and desires, empower them,
and help them develop their careers.
What does it mean to be an authentic leader? How would such a style be developed?
Be yourself.
How can you avoid escalation of commitment?
Distinguish between when persistence may pay off or turn into escalation of commitment.
Consider having strict turning points.
Periodical evaluations of an initially sound decisions to see if the decision still makes sense.
Share an example of anchoring.
When a plane with five passengers crashed, due to anchoring and because the plane was
consumed in flames, it was assumed that nobody survived.
