Questions and Answers of OB

After hearing a seminar on organizational learning, a mining company executive argues that this perspective ignores the fact that mining companies could not rely on knowledge alone to stay in
It is said that the CEO and other corporate leaders are keepers of the organization's memory. Please discuss this.
A federal government department has high levels of absenteeism among the office staff. The head of office administration argues that employees are misusing the company's sick leave benefits. However,
It has been said that all employees are motivated. Do you agree with this statement?
The organization for which you have been working for five years is suffering from a global recession. In response, it changes your compensation structure. Discuss the role of moral intensity, moral
You have been asked to select job applicants for a nine-month over-winter assignment working in an Antarctic research station with a dozen other people. Assuming that all candidates have equal
Imagine a situation of conflict between you and your boss. Discuss how understanding the elements of self concept, its complexity, consistency, and clarity may be useful in such a situation?
Job satisfaction leads to increased job performance. This statement has supplanted earlier thought on how job performance doesn't necessarily depend on job satisfaction. What has caused the shift in
In this chapter, we highlighted work-related stressors such as harassment and incivility, workload, and lack of task control. Of course, there are many non-work-related stressors that increasingly
Identify the various ways that employees expressed their job dissatisfaction on the LINK650?
Shaun O'Neill's commitment to the LINK organization dwindled over his two years of employment. Discuss the factors that affected his organizational commitment?
Recall a traumatic event, such as the falling of the Twin Towers in NYC (9/11 attacks), or the bombing of several hotels and restaurants in Mumbai, or the children killed recently in an American
It has almost become a mandatory practice for companies to ensure that employees have fun at work. Many workplaces now have fully-stocked lounges, games rooms, funky painted walls, and regular social
Discuss the expectancy theory model, including its practical implications?
Most people think they are "worth more" than they are paid. Furthermore, most employees seem to feel that they exhibit better leadership skills and interpersonal skills than others. Please comment on
Which of the performance reward practices-individual, team, or organizational-would work better in improving organizational goals? Please comment with reference to an organization of your choice.
Waco Tire Corporation redesigned its production facilities around a team-based system. However, the company president believes that employees will not be motivated unless they receive incentives
A fresh graduate is offered a job by an employer she admires even before she can start her job search. The student thinks it is an opportunity and jumps to it. Do you think there is an effect of
Two characteristics of creative people are that they have relevant experience and are persistent in their quest. Does this mean that people with the most experience and the highest need for
A software engineer in the United States needs to coordinate with four team members in geographically dispersed areas of the world. What team challenges might the team experience, and how will they
The chief marketing officer of Sawgrass Widgets wants marketing and sales staff to identify new uses for its products. Which of the four team structures for creative decision making would you
What symptom(s) in this case suggest that something has gone wrong?
What are the main causes of these symptoms?
What actions should executives take to correct these problems?
"An organization comes into being when people can communicate with each other." Discuss the benefits and limitations of communicating with e-mails among team members?
Until recently, a mining company's data resided in the department that was responsible for that information. Property data were on the computers in land administration, hydrocarbon data were in the
Consider a situation in which there is a only one female member on a team of six people, and she is generally excluded from informal gatherings of the team. What kind of influence tactics can she use
In the mid-1990s, the CEO of Apple Computer invited the late Steve Jobs (who was not associated with the company at the time) to serve as a special adviser and raise morale among Apple employees and
What sources and contingencies of power existed among the executives and departments at Resonus?
Suppose you are a consultant invited to propose a solution to the problems facing this organization's product delays. What would you recommend, particularly regarding power dynamics among the
Analyze this case in terms of the sources of conflict and conflict handling styles. Your answer should also briefly identify incidents of manifest conflict?
You have just been transferred from one unit of the organization to another unit. On the last day of work in the first unit, your current manager calls your new manager, informing her that you are a
You are a new program manager with responsibility for significant funding and external relations, and because of downsizing issues in your area, you have lost two valuable employees (actually 1.5,
Identify and discuss the sources of conflict between Porsche and Volkswagen executives.
Describe the conflict handling styles used by Wendelin Wiedeking and Ferdinand Piëch. Were they appropriate in this situation?
How do you think emotional intelligence, cognitive and practical intelligence influence authentic leadership?
Valve Corporation's organizational structure was described at the beginning of this chapter. What coordinating mechanism is likely most common in this organization? Describe the extent and form in
Mechanistic and organic structures are two organizational forms. How do the three types of coordination mechanisms operate through these forms?
How have the division and coordination of labor evolved at Merritt's Bakery from its beginnings to today?
Describe how span of control, centralization, and formalization have changed at Merritt's Bakery over the years. Is the company's organizational structure today more mechanistic or organic? Are these
What form of departmentalization currently exists at Merritt's Bakery? Would you recommend this form of departmentalization to this company? Why or why not?
Is it possible to have a knowledge of what an organizational culture is before you become a part of the organization? How important is it for you to align yourself with your organizational culture?
In Chapter 2, we discussed "values across cultures," including individualism, collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and achievement orientation. How are these national cultures
1. In your opinion, what are the dominant cultural values in this organization? Explain your answer. 2. What are the positive aspects of this type of culture? 3. What are the negative aspect of this
What is the role of formal and informal networks in organizations interested in undergoing change?