02 Jan Resistance to Change

Devry MGMT591 Week 1 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

OB Challenges (graded)

This week, our text discusses the definition of organizational behavior, and in particular, its applied focus. Our lesson focuses on high-performance organizations (HPOs). However, in order to become a HPO, an organization needs to navigate the complexities of the workforce as well as mitigate the challenges that exist. What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities that exist for managers in using OB concepts? Give specific examples. How can the study of OB help organizations work through these challenges successfully?

dq 2

The Individual: Diversity in Organizations (graded)

People are so complicated, there’s so much going on inside each of them, much of what we think we know about each of them we don’t. That’s where perception, presumption, and attribution, not to mention stereotype, fail us. There is no one set path. Idiosyncratic is the best way to really describe people. Everyone is outside the box. Everyone is an exception to the rule. No one is “the average.” It is ultimately the only true diversity. That makes each person, each individual, one of kind. Nothing routine about any of them. Source: Adapted from Louis Scheimer, Valdosta State University.

Let’s begin our exploration of INDIVIDUALS with a focus on diversity in the workplace from an OB perspective by discussing the following case study.

Devry MGMT591 Week 2 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Satisfied Workers + Individual Differences (graded)

Our discussion this week focuses on the topics in Chapter 3-6 in the textbook. For starters…assume you are new to your job, and on the first day you have a conversation with your boss, who says, “Satisfied workers are productive workers.” Do you agree with her statement? Why? Why not? Please support your opinion with evidence from our readings. Please also remember to respond to your classmates’ posts to stimulate further discussion.

I will also introduce discussion starters related to emotion and mood, personality and values, and emotional intelligence as the week unfolds

dq 2

Decision Making + Perception (graded)

Poor quality decisions are endemic in business today. As Paul Nutt remarked in his 2002 book, Why Decisions Fail, “Half of the decisions made in organizations fail, making failure far more prevalent than previously thought” (p. 22). Unfortunately, things have not improved dramatically since then. Fortunately, we have a useful body of knowledge available to help us improve our decision making skill. We’ll begin with a case study to get at some basic decision making fundamentals coupled with additional material I’ll share as we explore this important topic.

Here is our case study on decision making. Discussion questions found at the end of the case document. Address only ONE question at a time.

Mid-week we’ll shift our focus to perception and attribution.

Devry MGMT591 Week 3 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Application of Motivation Theories (graded)

CLASS…here is our case study on motivation for this week. Concentrate your efforts on helping the class understand the varied motivation theories in our readings this week.

dq 2

Job Characteristics Model + Rewards/Recognition (graded)

In Chapter 8 our authors introduce the Job Characteristics Model. Please open the attached excel spreadsheet– Job Diagnostic Survey. Click on the survey tab at the bottom of the sheet and complete the survey.

Note that there are 5 tabs…introduction, survey, results, graph of your results, and tutorial.

Post your Motivating Potential Score (MPS) with a shortened title describing the job for which the score applies. Then describe specific things that can be done to enrich the job using the core job dimensions identified by the job characteristics model. What obstacles would have to be overcome to apply the model to this particular job? [Please list the scores for each of the 5 core job dimensions as well]

NOTE:Mid-week we shift our focus to rewards and recognition.

Devry MGMT591 Week 4 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

What Constitutes a Team? (graded)

CLASS….here is our group and team dynamics case study for this week.

I look forward to your comments and analysis.

dq 2

A Lesson in Team Building (graded)

“Help! I have just been assigned to head a new product design team at my company. The division manager has high expectations for the team and for myself, but I have been a technical design engineer for four years since graduating from college. I have never managed anyone, let alone led a team. The manager keeps talking about her confidence that I will be very good at creating lots of teamwork. Does anyone out there have any tips to help me master this challenge? Help!”

You immediately start to formulate your recommendations. What are the three key things you will advise her to do, and why those three first?

Devry MGMT591 Week 5 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Communication + Conflict (graded)

Class…here is our case study on conflict and communication.

p.s. Be sure to complete the conflict styles inventory in my first posting in this thread.

dq 2

Leadership (graded)

CLASS…here is our leadership case study for this week–Tale of Two Leaders.

PLUS as part of our coverage of leadership, complete the Personal Power Profile assessment in my first thread and share your results.

NOTE: Toward the end of the week, look for my discussion topics on followership and organizational politics.

Devry MGMT591 Week 6 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Organizational Culture + OCI (graded)

CLASS…Here is our case study on organizational culture.

Please see my first thread posting. Also share your OCI results in the threads.

dq 2

Organizational Structure + Design (graded)

CLASS…here is our case study on organization design and structure.

Self-assessment: Organizational Design Preference…Click here–>ORGANIZATION DESIGN PREFERENCE

Devry MGMT591 Week 7 Discussion 1 & 2

dq 1

Resistance to Change (graded)

CLASS…here is our case study on change for this week. Although a simple example of a change initiative gone wrong, it offers us many lessons to explore the full spectrum of change management issues. Focus all your efforts on this case study this week! I look forward to your comments and analysis in the threads.

Note: I will add further topics related to resistance and change as the week unfolds.

dq 2

Resistance to Change (graded)

CLASS…here is our case study on change for this week. Although a simple example of a change initiative gone wrong, it offers us many lessons to explore the full spectrum of change management issues. Focus all your efforts on this case study this week! I look forward to your comments and analysis in the threads.

Note: I will add further topics related to resistance and change as the week unfolds.