Organizational Behavior Essay Question

List and explain the six steps of the rational decision making model? Use examples

1. Define the problem 2. Identify the criteria 3. Allocate weights to the criteria 4. Develop alternatives 5. Evaluate the alternatives 6. Select the best alternatives Assumption that the decision maker is purely rational and has complete information about the situation.

List and explain each of Kotter's eight steps for implementing change. Give examples!

1. Establish a sense of urgency by creating compelling reason 2. Form a coalition with enough power to lead change 3. Create a new vision to direct the change and strategies for achieving the vision 4. Communicate the vision through the organization 5. Empower others to act on the vision by removing barriers to change and encouraging risk taking 6. Plan for, create, and reward short term "wins" 7. Consolidate improvement, reassess changes, and make necessary adjustments to new programs 8. Reinforce the changes by demonstrating the relationship between new behaviors and org success.

There are three pillars of a positive organizational culture: explain what each pillar represents and suggest one management practice that could be used to build or sustain.

Building on employee strengths by showing them or helping to show them what they're good at. Reward more than you punish, a way of doing this is giving the employees frequent small rewards like compliments when they do something right. Emphasizing growth and vitality, people mustn't feel like cogs in the machine, the culture must make the employees feel like their personal development goals can be achieved within the corporation and that they matter.

Identify and describe the four ways that employees learn about the organizations culture?

Employees learn about the organizational culture through: Stories (i.e. narratives about the organizations founders, rule breaking) teach people and provide a sort of narrative for employees to be a part of. Rituals are repetitive sequences that express and reinforce the key values of the organization. Material symbols convey how egalitarian the company is and the kind of behavior that is appropriate. Language also helps people identify with the culture.

List and describe three strategy dimensions of organizations which shape organizational structure. Give examples!

Innovation Strategy: To what degree does an organization introduce major new products or services? This is what an innovation strategy wants to do. I.e. apple Cost Minimization Strategy: Tightly controls costs refrains from incurring unnecessary innovation or marketing expenses, and cuts prices in selling a basic product. i.e. wall mart Imitation Strategy: Organizations following an imitation strategy try both to minimize risk and maximize opportunities for profitability. They do this by entering the market after an established competitor. i.e. Hewlett Packard.

Using Examples, describe Lewins three step model for change. Give examples!

The unfreezing then moving and refreezing. Unfreezing refers to changing the status quo either by decreasing the restraining forces or increasing the driving forces or some combination of the two. Moving is recommended to be done quickly so it is less disruptive. Refreezing is referring to consolidating the new change, an example of this is putting into practice a reward scheme in order for the change to become a norm.

Using examples, define and describe steps organizations can take to overcome the resistance to change.

There are two types of resistance to change: Personal and Organizational resistance. Personal resistance: Self-interest, misunderstanding and lack of trust, different assessments (they see it differently), and a low tolerance for change.Organizational Resistance: structural inertia, limited focus of change group inertia, treat to expertise. Overcoming Resistance to change: Education and communication, participation and involvement, building support and commitment, developing positive relationships,implementing changes fairly, manipulation and co-optation

Distinguish between leadership and management by identifying at least six characteristics of each

The difference between management and leadership is that management is based on the ability to influence people towards achievement of a vison or goal. Management tends to be based around planning and organizing. Managers set goas, create efficient organizational structures, and oversee day to day operations. Leaders challenge the status quo, create visions of the future and inspire organizational members to achieve them.

Describe the major differences between transactional and transformation leadership

Transactional leaders are leaders how guide or motivate their followers in the direction of established goals by clarifying role and task requirements. Transformation leadership are leaders inspire followers to transcend their own self-interest and who are capable of having a profound and extraordinary effect on followers. Richard Branson is a transformational leader (he pays attention to followers and exptes them to put out extra effort. These complement each other transformational leadership builds on transactional leadership.

Identify and describe using examples, the six key questions managers need to answer in designing the proper organizational structure. Give examples!

Work specialization: The degree to which tasks in the organization are subdivided into separate jobs. Departmentalization: On what basis will jobs be grouped together? Chain of Command: To Whom do individuals and groups report Span of Control: How many individuals can a manager efficiently and effectively direct? Centralization vs Decentralization: Where does decision making authority lie? Formalization: To what degree will there be rules and regulation to direct employees and managers.