TOPIC 1: ORIGINS OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

2. 1. What is management? Have these definitions changed over time?

2. Explain the differences between effectiveness and efficiency. Give examples to illustrate your answer. Discuss ways that managers at each of the four levels of management can contribute to efficiency and effectiveness.

3. In todays environment, which is more important to organisationsefficiency or effectiveness? Explain your choice.

4. Fayol, Mintzberg and Katz studied and wrote about management though each in a different way. Discuss the focus of each contribution for the management of contemporary organisations.

5. Describe the key similarities and differences between the management theories developed by Fayol, Mintzberg and Katz.

TOPIC 3: GROUPS AND TEAMS

1. Explain the impact of work teams on productivity in countries such as the United States and Australia, whose national cultures place a high value on individualism.

2. Compare how early scientific management theorists and behavioural science theorists might react to the increased use of teams in contemporary organisations.

3. Discuss ways in which norms and conformity can affect group behaviour. In your answer provide an explanation of what is meant by norms and conformity.

4. Discuss the challenges that managers face with managing global teams. In your answer provide a solution for overcoming each challenge.

5. Discuss the impact of group size on group behaviour, group cohesiveness, and productivity.