MGT501 All Modules Discussions latest 2018 September

MGT501 Management and Organizational Behavior

Module 1 discussion

DQ1 How to design jobs to enhance satisfaction and motivation: Job Characteristics Model

Each module’s Discussion Forum in this class has two topics – one for the first week and another for the second.

In the Module 1 Discussion Forum be sure to post your responses using the background material, including the reading and video on the Job Characteristics Model. Here is a shorter synopsis of that material:

Louis, D. J. (2016) Notes on the Job Characteristics Model.

In Week 1, consider a job you have held that you did NOT find motivating. What job characteristics were missing? Look at another student’s post and suggest some ways that a manager could redesign that job to enhance one or more job characteristics and increase the motivating properties of that job. When someone has posted to your original job characteristics, go back and comment on whether or not the suggested changes would have made you feel more motivated. Why or why not?

(Besides the source listed above, introduce and cite at least one other source of information for your initial post.)

Remember, after you submit your answer to the Discussion this week, you also need to respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

(In total for this module’s two-part Discussion you should have contributed to at least two Discussion Question posts and four response posts to your classmates.)

You MUST participate in BOTH Week 1 and Week 2 Discussions to get credit for this module’s Discussion.

Posting early each week will allow for more opportunities for leading the discussions, making substantial contributions, and engaging in meaningful and mutual discussions with others.

DQ2 How to design jobs to enhance satisfaction and motivation: Job Characteristics Model

Read the following: Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory.

http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/herzberg/

Herzberg’s Theory suggests that pay and benefits are not motivators, because they do not satisfy the worker (who doesn’t want more pay or vacation time?). However, they can cause dissatisfaction if not sufficient. Critically compare and contrast his theory to the Job Characteristics Model. For example: What factors leading to satisfaction (motivators) can be aligned with Job Characteristics or Critical Psychological States? Do you think any of Herzberg’s dissatisfiers (hygiene factors) align with Job Characteristics or Critical Psychological States? Does this mean one or both of these theories is wrong?

(Besides the source listed above, bring in and cite at least one other source of information for your initial post.)

Remember, after you submit your answer to the Discussion this week, you also need to respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

(In total for this module’s two-part Discussion Forum you should have contributed to at least two Discussion Question posts and four response posts to your classmates.)

You MUST participate in BOTH Week 1 and Week 2 Discussions to get credit for this module’s Discussion Forum.

Posting early each week will allow for more opportunities for leading the discussions, making substantial contributions, and engaging in meaningful and mutual discussions with others.

MGT501 Management and Organizational Behavior

Module 2 discussion

DQ1 Conflict Management

Recall that the discussion for each module has two parts—one for each week. To get proper credit, be sure you post an initial posting for each week, as well as respond to the postings of at least two other students each week. Remember that if someone posts a response to one of your posts, you should engage with that person as appropriate—as if you were having a real-time conversation.

Review the background materials on Conflict Management. You will need the concepts and principles from these readings to support your responses to the discussion questions. You may also support your comments with references from outside sources. Be sure to cite sources used.

Week 1: Conflict Management

What was the worst experience you ever had with conflict? What was so bad about it? What are some of the things that caused the conflict? Look at another student’s post and comment on how you, as an outsider, see the causes of their conflict. What are some suggestions you would have to mitigate or resolve their situation? When someone has responded to your post, be sure to go back and comment on if you think that the suggestions would have worked to resolve the conflict. Why or why not?

DQ2 Active Listening

Active listening is a technique that is frequently used in conflict situations to increase the effectiveness of communication. View the following video and short article that teach active listening skills.

Active listening: Hear what people are actually saying. (2016). Mind Tools. Retrieved from https://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm

Now try to practice active listening with a friend, a spouse, coworker—or even a stranger on the bus! (You can use a cheat sheet if you can’t remember all the steps.) Tell us about your experience. What were the circumstances of the conversation? Was it easy or hard? What gave you difficulty in putting the technique into practice? What was the other person’s reaction? Do you think the experiment was successful?

MGT501 Management and Organizational Behavior

Module 3 discussion

DQ1 Merger and Unit Integration Issues

As a leader/manager, one circumstance you may encounter is the necessity to integrate or merge two organizational units. This can be a stressful period which, if not properly managed, can cause a good deal of tension and/or conflict, often leading to decreased organizational performance.

Consider that senior management has dictated that your unit will merge with another manager’s unit over the next three months. You will be the leader of the newly merged group. The previous manager will remain on your staff. Senior management has asked you to submit a merger plan. (If you have previously been involved in an actual unit merger, please share the organizational dynamics you experienced as well as any lessons learned.)

(Bring in and cite at least one source of information from your background readings for each of your weekly initial posts.)

Week 1 Discussion Question:

What are the key issues/challenges/opportunities you face, both short- and long-term?

Remember, after you submit your answer each week to the Discussion Question itself, you also need to respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

(In total for this module’s two-part Discussion Forum, you should have contributed at least two Discussion Question posts and four response posts to your classmates.)

You must participate in BOTH Week 1 and Week 2 Discussions to get credit for each module’s Discussion.

Posting early each week will allow for more opportunities for leading the discussions, making substantial contributions, and engaging in meaningful and mutual discussions with others.

DQ2 Merger and Unit Integration Issues

Using the same scenario as Week 1 of this Discussion, answer the question in bold below:

In describing three key elements of your merger plan, explain the sources of power that will be available to you and upon which you will draw to help achieve a successful merger.

Remember, after you submit your answer each week to the Discussion Question itself, you also need to respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

(In total for this module’s two-part Discussion Forum, you should have contributed at least two Discussion Question posts and four response posts to your classmates.)

You must participate in BOTH Week 1 and Week 2 Discussions to get credit for each module’s Discussion.

MGT501 Management and Organizational Behavior

Module 4 discussion

DQ1 Sociopolitical Skills

Organizational structure, norms, values, culture, etc., all have an impact on a leader’s success. Consider the new or advancing leader. Such a leader is expected to learn how to effectively perform all of the important administrative and professional/technical tasks. In addition, the leader needs to master the necessary social skills associated with early effectiveness in the new position. Below are 10 “sociopolitical” categories which may influence a transitioning leader's early (and enduring) effectiveness. These include, in no particular order, the ability to:

enter into an established leader/employee “network”;

sense, as well as use, appropriate communication and influence behaviors;

sense and appropriately act on keen organizational norms;

become aware of, and sensitively interact with, organizational “blockers” and “enablers”;

build political bridges by identifying and relating to key formal/informal power sources;

become known as a “go-to/can-do” individual;

be perceived as a “team player”;

sense key organizational issues upon which to create early vision, initiatives, and value;

identify and appropriately respond to the requirements of superiors/peers/subordinates; and

be perceived as having organizationally appropriate ethics, values, and beliefs.

Please note that these are behavioral skill categories, not actual behaviors. You likely use many of the actual behaviors (such as “interpersonal communication”) within a category every day.

Week 1 Discussion Question:

Does this list of “sociopolitical” skill categories match your sense of what is most required to help ensure a leader's early success in a new role/position? What might you add or subtract to help ensure the most effective transition into a new job?

Remember, after you submit your answer each week to the Discussion Question itself, you also need to respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

(In total for this module’s Discussion Forum you should have contributed at least two Discussion Question posts and four response posts to your classmates.)

You must participate in BOTH Week 1 and Week 2 Discussions to get credit for each module’s Discussion.

Posting early each week will allow for more opportunities for leading the discussions, making substantial contributions, and engaging in meaningful and mutual discussions with others.

DQ2 Sociopolitical Skills

Using the same scenario as Week 1 of this Discussion, answer the question in bold below.

Week 2 Discussion Question:

In your view, how important to your enduring success in the job are your early efforts in a new leadership role? Presuming you already have practiced some or all of the 10 items, how did you learn to do so?

Remember, after you submit your answer each week to the Discussion Question itself, you also need to respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

(In total for this module’s Discussion Forum you should have contributed at least two Discussion Question posts and four response posts to your classmates.)

You must participate in BOTH Week 1 and Week 2 Discussions to get credit for each module’s Discussion.

Posting early each week will allow for more opportunities for leading the discussions, making substantial contributions, and engaging in meaningful and mutual discussions with others.

MGT501 Management and Organizational Behavior

Module 4 reflection discussion

Summary and Reflection

Identify one substantive topic in the course that you will use in your job in the future. Specify the topic, your job, and how you will use this knowledge to be a better manager or leader.

Looking back at the self-assessments you conducted throughout the course, name one specific change you will make in your behavior to try to build your management and leadership competencies or skills.