List and
describe at least three factors (including examples) that have an influence on personality. Give an example of each factor. Why is an
understanding of personality relevant to the study of Organizational
Behavior?
- David
McClelland suggests that there is a relationship between the Need to Achieve (nAch)
and the ability and/or propensity to engage in entrepreneurial behaviors. List and define
the three major characteristics of nAch. Why are these characteristics ideal
characteristics for entrepreneurs? What experiments did McClelland use to illustrate these
characteristics? What role did the Thematic Apperception Test play in the determination of
nAch?
According to Douglas McGregor, Maslow's Hierarchy
of Needs may be used to explain why many organizations fail to adequately motivate their
employees. Explain McGregor's position, including his utilization of Maslow's Hierarchy.
Do you agree or disagree with MacGregor's characterization of the employer/employee
relationship? Why? If possible, give examples to support your position.
What is
the basic premise of the article: On the Folly of Rewarding A, while Hoping for B by Steven Kerr?
Give three examples from the articles which Kerr uses to illustrate his point. Give
another example (not given in this article) of this phenomenon.
An
orchardist in Penticton, B.C., employs a migrant fruit picker (who hitch-hikes from one
job to the next), a recent BCIT Business School graduate (who aspires to an upper
management job in the fruit industry), and the wife of a wealthy local dentist (whose
children have left home and gone to college). How might this orchardist use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to devise an effective reward
system (minimize costs while maximizing employee satisfaction/effectiveness) for these
employees?
Explain
the Equity Theory of Motivation. Write a fictional case
study that illustrates how Equity Theory works to explain motivation, or lack thereof, of
employees. Be sure to include a discussion of the consequences of inequity.
List and
define the three variables used in the Expectancy Theory.
Explain what each of these variables contributes to the theory and describe a
scenario/case where the Expectancy Theory could be applied to explain an employee's level
of motivation. Be sure to tie specific elements of the case to the key variables in the
theory.
Explain Herzberg's Two Factor Theory of Motivation. How (what was the
nature of his research?) did Herzberg arrive at his theoretical framework? According to
this conceptualization, what role does money play in the motivation process?
Some
critics of the Two Factor Theory have criticized Herzberg's
research methodology; what is the nature of their criticism? In your opinion, is this
criticism valid? Do you agree or disagree with Herzberg's characterization of motivation?
Why? If possible, give examples to support your position.
Frederick
Herzberg, in the Two Factor Theory of Motivation,
distinguishes between "movement" and "motivation".
What are the consequences of this theory for you, as the manager, of a firm. Use examples
to explain your answer (you may make any assumptions you wish about the nature of your
enterprise and its employees -- but, you must state whatever assumptions you have made) .
Frederick
Herzberg, in the Two Factor Theory of Motivation,
distinguishes between "movement" and "motivation". What does he mean
by these concepts? How can these concepts be related to Maslow's
lower-order and higher-order needs? Give organizational examples to illustrate what he
means. Do you agree or disagree with Herzberg's characterization of motivation? Why? If
possible, give examples to support your position.
When
faced with declining productivity or reduced profitability, some companies turn to piece
rates as a means of compensating employees. Make the case for and against the use of piece
rates as a means of remuneration. Your points must make reference to relevant theories of
motivation (Maslow, Herzberg,
McClelland, Equity, Expectancy, etc.) studied in this course. Be sure to state
any assumptions you are making as you state your case for and against this form of
compensation.
History
and trust plays an important role in organizational interpersonal relations. Using
experiential exercises such as the Four Party Bargaining Exercise (CST students only), the
Prisoners' Dilemma, The Coalition Formation Exercise (BUSA students only), and The UGLI
Apple Exercise (BUSA only) as examples, describe some of the elements that go into the
establishment of trust in working relationships. For example, what actions, by individuals
or groups, can increase or decrease levels of trust. Further, explain how history played a
role in the establishment of this trust. What lessons can be learned from the Prisoners'
Dilemma exercise (see the discussion of the Netzercise on the website)? How can these
ideas be applied to Organizational Behavior (use examples). (Another variation of this question: It has been
argued that "history" plays an
important role in interpersonal relations. Explain how this point was illustrated in the Prisoners' Dilemma Exercise. What lessons can be learned
from the Prisoners' Dilemma exercise? How can this idea be applied to Organizational
Behavior (use examples).
- Trust is an integral part of organizational
interactions. Using experiential exercises (for example, the Four Party Bargaining
Exercise -- Red, Blue, Black and Green Units for the manufacture of Widgets), and the Prisoners' Dilemma as examples, describe some of the
elements that go into the establishment of trust in working relationships. What actions,
by individuals or groups, can increase the levels of trust and mistrust in organization or
team environments (give examples)?
- During negotiations,
tentative agreement is sometimes reached on some issues before other issues have been
dealt with. How might negotiators ensure commitment to the agreement? Give examples (real
-- perhaps from the Prisoner's Dilemma -- or
fictional) to illustrate your answer.
- Describe the four
stages of group development. From your own experiences
-- in this class or elsewhere -- give examples describing each of these stages of group
development (if you've never experienced all four stages, make up fictional examples)
List four reasons why people might chose to
join groups (give specific examples). What are some of the drawbacks of group
membership (give examples). In your answer, include a discussion, with examples, of "social loafing" and "group
think" (give examples).
- List, describe, and give examples of at
least three causes and three consequences of group cohesiveness. In this discussion,
describe and give examples of the relationship between group size, group cohesion, and
group effectiveness. Describe and give examples of the relationship between group size and
group effectiveness. Include a discussion the relationship
between these factors and group cohesiveness.
- What are group
norms? List and describe at least three reasons why groups
develop norms. Why do individual group members follow
group norms? Describe four ways in which group norms can affect individuals' behavior.
List three ways in which groups deal with deviants.
Explain why groups feel it is necessary to deal with deviance. Explain why groups will
occasionally tolerate deviance -- what are the factors that determine the degree of
tolerance exhibited by groups in this area. Give examples.
- Distinguish between role conflict and role ambiguity.
Give examples of each. Describe at least two ways (use examples) in which role conflict
may arise.
- Describe and explain the significance of the
Ringelmann Effect and the Solomon
Asch experiment. Give organizational examples illustrating each phenomenon (real or
fictional).
- List, describe, and give examples of at
least three causes and three consequences of group
cohesiveness.
Two BCIT
students are discussing the topic of work motivation. One says, "Motivation can never come from the boss, " while the
other states, "If people aren't motivated, managers are to blame." How can each
position be defended? How can the two positions be reconciled with each other? Give
examples to illustrate your answer. (If the some Canuck players appear to be playing an
uninspired game -- they appear unmotivated -- to what extent is the coach responsible?)
Describe
the Blanchard model of leadership (be sure to explain
what the key variables in this model are). Describe two scenarios in which two of the leadership styles defined by the theory would be the
appropriate styles to use. Be sure to explain WHY these particular styles would be the
most appropriate than others.
What is
the basic premise of the Vroom-Yetton Leadership Model (be
specific in your description of the situational variables and the concomitant leadership
styles)? Describe two situations that would, according to this model, require two
different leadership styles. Explain how you would arrive at a decision with respect to
these styles using the Vroom-Yetton Model.
Describe
the Dependence Theory of Power.
Explain how the perception of power affects bargaining strategies and/or how bargaining
strategies are designed to alter perceptions of relative power (i.e., dependence). Give
examples to illustrate your points.
List and
define at least three bases of power.
Give examples (real or fictional) of how each of these sources of power
has or may be used in an organizational setting. What is the relationship between
these bases of power and the type of leadership and followership (how might followers be expected to respond to)
behaviors one might expect in each of the examples described.
Define organizational politics. Why is organizational politics
common in most organizations (what condition(s)
give rise to political behavior)? Give examples of at least three kinds of organizational political activity and/or
techniques.
List
and describe at least three ways of responding
to conflict. What factors might explain the use of one method as
opposed to others (give examples).
Nonverbal
communication can play an important role in interpersonal relations. Describe some of the
elements of nonverbal communication and describe (use examples) four different situations
in which nonverbal communication can convey a stronger message than verbal communication.
Describe
and define the elements of a simple model of communication. List, describe, and give
examples of three barriers to effective communication. Your answer should include a
discussion of why is it important to choose appropriate (be sure you define
"appropriate") symbols when communicating. You should give an example to
demonstrate how an "inappropriate" choice might complicate organizational
communication. For each example of barriers to communication, please explain how the
communication barrier might be overcome. Describe and define the elements of a simple
model of communication. List, describe, and give examples of four barriers to effective
communication. In each example, explain how the communication barrier might be overcome.
Why is
it important to choose appropriate symbols when communicating? How would you define
"appropriate"? How was this point illustrated in the "Draw this Geometric
Figure" experiential exercise? Give another example to demonstrate how an
"inappropriate" choice might complicate organizational communication.
Models
are, by definition, a simplification of reality. However, models can be a useful way of
trying to understand or describe organizational reality or the state of interpersonal
relationships. Give two examples of models/theories studied in this course. Describe their
utility and their limitations. Give examples of situations where you might use these
models/theories.
How are
the approaches to work motivation of Herzberg and of Hackman and Oldham related or similar? How do these
approaches differ? According to the Hackman and Oldham model, what are the five key characteristics of a
motivating job (list them)? Define these characteristics, and give examples of each.
Power played a significant role in organizations.
From French and Raven's
conceptualization of the bases of power, list and define the 5 bases of power, and
give examples of three such bases of power.
Explain
the Dependency theory of Power. What three factors determine the degree of power one party
has over another? Give three examples illustrating the Dependency Theory of Power (for
example, how is this theory in evidence during negotiations?).
Power
played a significant role in the video "Final Offer".
From French and Raven's
conceptualization of the bases of power, give examples (from the video) of three
different bases of power. Give two examples (from the video) of the Dependency Theory of Power.
In
discussing Organizational Behavior, some would argue that contingency is the most
important and relevant concept. Discuss this idea through the use of examples and by
drawing on theories presented in this course.
In
organizations, people communicate in a straightforward way; messages are clear and
specific, communicated in a "business like manner". Do you agree with this
statement? Discuss this statement by drawing on material related to communication
including media richness and perception.
Is there
a "best" conflict handling style?
Discuss this question with thorough references to interpersonal conflict handling styles
and an individual’s personal preferences regarding
conflict handling. Be sure to discuss the pros and cons of any particular conflict
handling style.
A certain
amount or certain types of conflict
may be good for an organization. Develop this topic, explaining how conflict can be positive in an organization.
Further, describe the sorts of conditions that favor
conflict and explain how to encourage positive versus negative conflict and in an organization.
Is
engaging in organizational politics a positive or negative
behavior? In addressing this question, discuss in detail, using examples citing real or
hypothetical scenarios, the various types of political behaviors people in
organizations can engage in.
The
manager of the organization always has the most power in the
organization. Discuss this statement with reference to the sources of power and the contingencies of power in an
organization. Include examples in which people other than a
particular manager may wield power.
Describe
two of the experiments conducted during the Hawthorne Studies. Explain how these
experiments were consistent with the prevailing managment paradigm of that era:
"Taylorism" and Scientific Management. Explain
how/why the Hawthorne Studies were significant to the
development of the study of industrial organizations (Organizational Behavior). What is
meant by the "Hawthorne Effect"?
