Reference no: EM133067609

BPOM7103 Advanced Organisation and Management - Open University Malaysia

PART A

Question 1

Managing a variety of personalities can be challenging for an employer who has a mix of Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomer employees. As a manager it is important to have some knowledge of psychology. It is your job to make sure everyone on your team is being as productive as possible, even if you have to treat everyone a little bit differently to do so.

The more effective you are at flexing your managing style, the more effectively your employees will carry out their assignments. Devora Zack writes in her book Managing for People Who Hate Managing: "Flexing your style means being versatile in how you lead, communicate and motivate. A tough approach propels one employee; mild-mannered encouragement inspires another. Being flexible requires proficiency in a range of techniques; to draw upon as needed."

Why is understanding psychology important for management and organisations? Examine the applicable traits managers must have to manage a wide range of personalities in the workplace.

Question 2

Globalization has implied many changes to the nature of work and organizations. This new globalised market dictates, or rather governs, the way corporations think and how workers are treated. It implies, among others, arbitrariness in the workplace, pervading threat of termination, an increasingly wide gap between the rich and poor, job loss and a weakening of job security, and the rise of superstar CEOs.

In the light of the above quote, what are your perceptions? Examine the impact of globalization on management.

PART B

Question1

a) Many studies suggest that social loafing is affected by a groups's developmental cycle. What is ‘social loafing'? Using examples, describe clearly what can happen to individuals working in newly formed groups in an organisation.

b) Do you think a moderate level of conflict might be healthy for an organization? Discuss.

Question 2

a) The Employee of the Month, generally selected by management, is the recognition of an individual by the organization for their outstanding contribution as an employee. The recognition is usually accompanied by a gift, gift certificate and/or a certificate or thank you note. Often the name of the awarded employee is engraved on a plaque in the company lobby. Employee of the Month is a cherished form of recognition.

What theories would explain this?

b) Low-paid service workers represent a motivational problem for many companies. They earn lower pay, poorer pension provision and fewer opportunities for progression. Consider these poorly-trained and unmotivated service workers in government agencies.

How can these workers be motivated to reduce boredom and increase their vigilance?

Question 3
One of the most significant management trends during the 1990s not only in Malaysia but the whole world, was organisational downsizing. Since downsizing typically involved shrinking the organisation's workforce, it was a human resource management issue. Can some of you remember VSS? Some employees loved it, some deplored it, like it was an epidemic sweeping the country!

Many organisations had done a fairly good job of helping layoff victims by offering a variety of job-help services, psychological counselling, support groups, severance salary, extended health insurance benefits and even finding jobs with other companies. These assistance offered revealed that the organisation did care about its former employees.

What are the key concepts in human resource management and how have they impacted on organisational practice and performance? Discuss in detail.

Question 4
These concepts below may look different but have complementary perspectives. Explain in detail the concepts of:
i. Power
ii. Politics
iii. Domination and authority
iv. Decision making

Provide organisational examples from the workplace.

Question 5
Decisions taken within an organisation may be made by individuals or groups, but whoever makes them will be influenced by many aspects of the company. The decision to behave ethically is a moral one; staff must decide what they think is the right course of action.

Define ethics and explain why there are disagreements and dilemmas about what a proper ethical behavior really is. Why is right or wrong behavior not clearly identifiable in an organisation?

Rationalize your answers in detail, with organisational examples.