Reference no: EM132317503

Topic - VUCA world 2.0 and 'great big challenges'

Learning outcomes - The work that you do in this topic will help you to achieve the following learning outcome in the subject:

• reflect critically on management issues such as ethics, sustainability, innovation and digital disruption, entrepreneurship, global management, and how they are shaping 21st century organisations.

In this topic, we will be doing two things:

1. Describing the characteristics of VUCA world

2. Taking an overview tour of several 'great big' challenges (GBCs) that face organisations and their managers today.

Learning activity 1 -

In practical terms, what kinds of activities in organisations ought to be viewed through the lens of sustainability? (For example, value chain management?) This question is deliberately broad. You can ground your answer with reference to a specific industry or sector or even a particular organisation.

Learning activity 2 -

Can you think of examples in areas of management practice where ethical leadership can make or break the success or effectiveness of what managers do?

Learning activity 3 -

Remarkably, each of us is touched by these forces. There is a certain inexorability at work. Take a few minutes to reflect on this question.

1. How have you been impacted by these 'great big' challenges? Describe your experience - tell your story. You might answer as a consumer, as a worker, as a manager, as a business owner, or as a student.

Next, turn your mind to this question.

2. What other key forces or issues or challenges should be added to the list above? For each force that you identify, locate at least one piece of evidence that describes the way this force is impacting business generally and/or management work specifically.

Learning activity 4 -

Your VUCA story

The diagram below provides a short description of the characteristics of each element of VUCA, together with an example. Decide how you would approach each example. Describe your approach in as much detail as you can and be ready to explain why you have selected your particular approach. (If you can think of an example of your own, add this to the activity.)

Case discussion activity -

Nichols, M. (1993). Third-world families at work: Child labor or child care?. Harvard Business Review, 71(1), 12-23.

Earlier, you made a start on identifying the major issues that this case raises for organisations. Thinking about the work you have done in this topic, answer the following questions:

1. What conflicting values are evident in the case?

2. Advise Jonathan Stein. What should he do about the plant in Lahore?

3. What do you think this case highlights regarding the competencies, skills and attributes managers need to develop in contemporary organisations?

Attachment:- Assignment File.rar