1 The Human Resource Frame Study Questions Fall 2009 The Human Resource Frame Chapter 6 1. What are the core assumptions of the human resource frame? 2. According to the following theorists, what are the underlying causes of human resource problems? Argyris McGregor (Theory X and Theory Y) Maslow 3. These same theorists prescribe managerial solutions for motivating and managing human resource problems, what solutions does each prescribe? 4. Identify the six ways that Chris Argyris identified that employees try to stay sane by looking for ways to escape the powerlessness and frustrations associated with being in a job that are defined as narrowly as possible to improve efficiency such as on an automobile assembly line. Conceptual/Open-ended Questions 1. Bolman and Deal describe McWane and Nucor as representing opposite poles in a perennial debate about the relationship between people and organization. Please describe these opposite poles. 2. Define the concept of need? 3. What does it mean that the Theory X approach is self-fulfilling? Chapter 7 2 1. List the reasons cited in the text as why managers persist in pursuing less effective strategies than those obtained through high involvement, high performance or high commitment management practices. 2. As outlined by Bolman and Deal, although every organization with productive people management has it unique approach, most of their strategies can be captured in six general strategies. What are these six basic human resource strategies? 3. Name the three ways identified in the text to align employee rewards more directly with business success? Chapter 8 1. What are the three recurrent questions about relationships that regularly confront managers? 2. In his book entitled Emotional Intelligence, what basic argument does Daniel Goleman put forth? 3. What is emotional intelligence? What term were Salovey and Mayer updating when they created the concept of emotional intelligence? 4. Please define espoused theories and theories-in-use. These theories are used to explain which managerial phenomenon? 5. What are the four central issues of group process discussed in Chapter 8? Bonus Questions: 1. True or False - Although evidence is mounting that high involvement, high performance or high commitment management practices demonstrate positive economic returns, trends in actual management practice are often moving exactly opposite to what this evidence indicates. 2. True or False - Because gain sharing plans have had a positive impact on performance, 3 they have been quickly adopted by the majority of companies. 3. True or False -Effective implementation of employee stock ownership programs (ESOPs) is dependent upon employees learning and driving the business disciplines that help the company do well. 4. True or False - When a group of pilots applying with Southwest Airlines was asked to change into Bermuda shorts for their interviews, two pilots declined. These were not hired. The Political Frame (Read chapters 9 &10) JULY 15 4 1. According to the following theorists, what are the underlying causes of political problems in organizations? Alderfer and Brown Block French & Raven Gamson Jackall 2. The theorists above also describe symptoms and observable behaviors that would indicate to managers that political problems exist in their organizations. What symptoms would a manager observe that would indicate political problems? 3. The theorists below prescribe managerial solutions for political problems, what solutions does each prescribe? French and Raven Pichault Kotter Lax and Sebenius Block Fisher and Ury Bonus Questions (True or False): 1. Bolman and Deal argue that the higher the position a manager achieves with a company, the more power they have and, therefore, the less dependent they are on others. 2. Mutuality, generality and caring are important criteria in forming an ethical judgment about a particular action. 3. Political skill is a dangerous quality in managers. 4. Key elements in a political map include the 3 P's of players (who's on the field), positions (what individuals and groups want) and power (capacity for influence held by different participants) 5 The Symbolic Frame (Read chapters 12 &14) JULY 22 1. What are the underlying causes of symbolic actions in organizations? (I will give you this answer since the textbook, is not specific): Tragedies or Accomplishments/Mission Accomplished!) 2. The theorists below describe symptoms and observable behaviors that would indicate to managers that symbolic problems exist in their organizations. What symptoms would a manager observe that would indicate symbolic problems? Denning More and Meryhoff Fulghum Hansot 3. These same theorists prescribe managerial solutions for symbolic problems, what solutions does each prescribe? Bonus Questions 1. How have three distinctive companies - BMW, Continental Airlines and Nordstrom successfully applied symbolic ideas 2. True or False - A good story, like the one that attributes Pierre Omidyar's vision for eBay to an effort to help his girl friend, can be very powerful, regardless of whether it is true. 3. True or False - In his book Culture's Consequences: International Differences in WorkRelated Values, Geert Hofstede argues that the same basic management practices and concepts work around the world. 4. True or False -In his book Culture's Consequences: International Differences in WorkRelated Values, Geert Hofstede argues that the same basic management practices and concepts work around the world. 6 Current issues Teams Process and task Process Structure Membership All of the above The best goals are Smart goals Time specifce Developed by top management Mangers must continue to learn since Rapid technological change Changing skills sets Promotions Oursourcing and downsizing 7 Rise of China as a economic competitor to American dominance The Current management issues include Ceo pay scales Current economic crisis Blue ocean strategy All ov the above