Management Midterm

Where do organizational ethics come from? Describe the contributions made by the organization's founder, managers, and workers as well as laws and social norms. Which do you think is most influential? Why?

-Ethics come from the founder. -Managers by their behavior, serve as role models for employees. Managers can also create policies or practices. -Workers by their compliance.

What are the four basic activities that comprise the management process? How are they related to one another?

1) Controlling 2) Leading 3) Organizing 4) Planning & Decision-Making The management process is dynamic. They can be performed at any time or all at the same time. The order depends on certain settings.

Consider the three environments of a firm. Which of the environments has the most direct and immediate impact on the firm? Which of the environments has a more diffuse and delayed impact? Explain.

1) Internal Environment- Groups in the company. Ex, human resources. 2) Task Environment- Interacts closely to the firm. Ex, customers. 3) General Environment- Things that impact all firms. Ex, the economy.

Describe the organization's general environment. For each dimension, give at least one specific example, other than the examples mentioned in your text.

1) International Dimension. Ex, European Union. 2) Technological Dimension. Ex, robots. 3) Political-Legal Dimension. Ex, Change of leadership in Congress. 4) Sociocultural Dimension. Ex, increasing patriotism (supporting one's country). 5) Economic Dimension. Ex, the U.S. Stock Market.

What are the differences between the contingency and the universal perspectives on management? How is the contingency perspective useful in the practice of management today?

Contingency Perspectives- Different approaches to different situations. Universal Perspectives- One "best" approach. As the business environment becomes more complex, uncertain, and dynamic, contingency perspective are likely to be employed by more and more.

What is diversity? Why is it increasing?

Diversity exists in a group when it's members differ from one another by age, gender, or ethnicity. Diversity is increasing because more women are in the workforce, diversity improves overall quality of the workforce, laws and regulations, and increased multiculturalism.

Contrast efficiency and effectiveness. Give an example of a time when an organization was effective but not efficient, efficient but not effective, both efficient and effective, and neither efficient nor effective.

Efficiency- Performing tasks that conserve resources, such as time and money. Effectiveness- Lead to the desired outcome. Effective but not efficient- An expensive car that many customers want but cant afford. Efficient but not effective- cheap but nobody wants. Efficient and effective- cheap and people want. Neither effective nor efficient- high prices and nobody wants.

Define ethical and unethical behavior. Give three specific examples of ethical behavior and three specific examples of unethical behavior.

Ethical behavior- Conforms to generally accepted norms. These actions include telling the truth and/or putting ones needs ahead of their needs, etc. Unethical behavior- Doesn't conform to generally accepted norms. These actions include lying and/or cheating, etc.

Describe the formal and informal dimensions of social responsibility.

Formal Dimensions- Social responsibility including legal compliance, ethical compliance, and giving back to society. Informal Dimensions- Organization leadership and culture (a role model) and public disclosure of an organization's unethical actions.

Summarize the basic stances that an organization can take regarding social responsibility.

In order of lowest to highest social responsibility: 1) Obstructionist- Do as little as possible to nothing. 2) Defensive- Do only what is legally required and nothing more. 3) Accommodative- Meet legal and ethical obligations. 4) Proactive- Seeks opportunities to contribute to society.

For each of the contemporary management challenges, give at least one example other than the examples found in the text.

Labor Shortage Aging Workforce Information technology Reliance on teamwork and virtual workplaces Corporations ethics under a microscope Quality with a shrinking market of consumers Shifting to a service economy

Briefly describe the principles of scientific management and administrative management. What assumptions are made about workers?

Scientific Management- Uses time and motion studies along with piecework pay systems to increase productivity. This calls for observation, training, and motivating workers. Administrative Management- Focuses on the organization as a whole. Specialization of managerial work, and theories about authority as well as control. Assumptions Made- All workers are interchangeable and identical. Money is the best motivator.

Describe the systems perspective. Why is a business organization considered an open system?

Systems are composed of various elements that interact in different ways. The system transforms inputs into outputs and receives feedback from it's environment. Open systems interact with their environment. A business does this through interacting with the government, customers, communities, etc.

Briefly describe the seven basic managerial skills. Give an example of each.

Technical- Managers must know and understand all aspects of the tasks assigned. Interpersonal- The ability to get along with peers, bosses, etc. Conceptual- Allows them to understand how the part's work together to form the "big picture." Diagnostic- Recognize potential problems and develop appropriate solutions. Communication- Conveying and receiving good ideas and information. Decision Making- Correctly recognize problems or opportunities and select a course of action. Time Management- Ability to prioritize, work efficiently, and delegate.