Reference no: EM133189480
Review the provided case study in Appendix A and the updates to the case study in Appendices B and C.
In your main post in the group debate this week, please address the following:
- Identify and explain the group decision making tool that you would use in this situation, given the new information provided in the Week 4 case study update.
- Considering your understanding of group processes, formulate a plan that Jamal and Amber might use to build morale and unity within their team.
- Include references and citations from at least two outside scholarly sources.
Appendix A - Case Study
Jamal and Amber have a successful small business with ten employees. Their entire team has been invited to two professional conferences, but they're only able to attend one.
The employees are arguing as some would rather go to the Florida conference while others want to go to the one in California.
The Florida conference is being held at a hall on the property of a major theme park. On site lodging is included, but meals are not. The speakers will be other small business owners and the topics will be centered around customer service. This conference lasts three days and is scheduled to end the day before Christmas.
The California conference has celebrity guest speakers, free meals, and two days of workshops. The conference is midweek in July. The workshop topics would be more beneficial to employees on a management track or already working in management. The lodging is in a less desirable area far from the conference. Attendees will have to find transportation to and from the convention hall.
Jamal and Amber want to use the best possible decision-making tool to help bring their group to a decision. Which method should they choose?
Appendix B - Week 3 Update to Case Study
A new member has joined the team! The other employees are very bonded and have not fully warmed up to her yet. She is excited to hear about the trip and hopes that it will give her a chance to get to know her coworkers better.
The new employee is pregnant and has doctors clearance to fly to Florida but is not allowed to fly the distance to California. With her pregnancy-related blood pressure problems, the added flight time could be dangerous.
Amber and Jamal could step in and decide the team will attend the Florida conference in order to accommodate the new employee. Both Amber and Jamal are experts in their field and are authorities over this group. Should they just make the decision for their team?
Appendix C - Week 4 Update to Case Study
After successfully choosing a conference destination, funding fell through and the trip was cancelled! Morale is down and employees are disappointed.
Jamal wants to do something to lift the workers' spirits. He and Amber have discussed a picnic at the local park, an afternoon at the movies, a paint night, or a catered lunch for the employees.
They hope whatever activity they choose will bring the group together and lessen the sadness of the cancelled trip. The employees have worked very hard this year and Jamal and Amber want to do something nice to show their appreciation for them. They want the group to regain the tightknit connection that they had before.
Would you use the same decision-making tool you were assigned in Week 2 or a different one? Why?