Some Topics to Know for Midterm #1

PRELIMINARY REVIEW SHEET

Note: This serves only as a general guideline for you to refer when studying for the exam. Much of the exam will cover the topics identified below and related issues, implications, in-class handouts, videos, and articles on my web page. PLEASE BRING A PENCIL TO THE EXAM and a SCANTRON FORM (the one with 50 questions on each side).

The exam will emphasize information discussed in class.

1. Time Management a. Know the dimensions (and how to define each) of the time management matrix and identify an example or two in each category as listed on the slides. b. Consider the key points raised in the video (such as “double-handling”) and the time management strategies identified in the time management survey you completed in class.

2. Historical Perspective of Management Thought Scientific Management (be sure to know the founder’s name) Bureaucratic Management (be sure to know the “founder’s” name) Western Electric/Hawthorne studies: Results and implications for management thought

3. Employee motivation & pay for performance Theory X and Theory Y assumptions about employees Identify expected practices exhibited by each (see your Philosophy of Management survey) Job Characteristics Model & assembly line video application Herzberg’s Motivator-Hygiene Theory (identify motivators and hygiene factors; identify principles of job enrichment. Maslow’s Hierarchy: know the elements and examples of each Effective goal setting techniques/components & management by objectives (Sears Auto Repair & Bausch & Lomb applications) Expectancy theory: Specifically the importance of the relationship between performance and reward and how it applies to Pay for Performance strategies as discussed in class (such as, gainsharing, profit-sharing, individual incentives), Consider the Whirlpool article and gainsharing results—did it work? Why? Why did PepsiCo offer broad-based stock options? What do they hope to provide/gain?

What is the balanced scorecard? (see slides & article) What factors are included and why? Differentiate between operational measures and financial measures. What factors/measures address the question “How will we do” and what factors/measures address the question “How did we do?” Consider “The HR Side of Sears” article: What was included in their pay for performance plan and how were they weighted—is this consistent with a balanced scorecard approach? What is the employee-customer-profit model? Equity theory: make predictions regarding over and underpayment. Differentiate between equity sensitives, benevolents, and entitleds.

4. Group issues a. Point of the NASA ranking of items exercise b. Asch and Milgram studies – percentage conforming, how to reduce conformity. c. Groupthink i. Symptoms, ways to reduce d. Stages of group development

5. Charisma, leadership practices, Organizational Culture, Dead Poets Society

One Potential Essay for Dead Poets Society

1. Using the concepts of Charismatic Leadership and a few relevant (from your perspective) practices as described in the Kouzes & Posner Key Leadership Practices/Behaviors slides, compare and contrast the leadership style of Mr. Nolan (The headmaster/principal) and Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) providing a few examples to support your arguments. How effective was each person in terms of a) influencing others? B) Inspiring others? 2. Why did the students stand on their desks during the final scene of the film? 3. What need on Maslow’s hierarchy was Neal Perry trying to fulfill through his pursuit of acting? 4. How would you describe the organizational culture of Welton Academy? Was Mr. Keating a good fit? What might be some consequences or things to consider when an employee is a good or not a good fit with an organization’s culture?

6. Southwest Airlines: a. Are they successful? Why? b. What do they look for when making a hiring decision? Why? c. What type of Leader is Herb Kelleher? Why?