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Ch1-2
Q1. Considering what we have already discussed, identify what problems exist with this
managers view about holding such meetings.
.
Q2. List what potential problems you may face in running this meeting at 8 am.
Seminar 1b:
Additional online resources:
Search Engines are our navigational tools to explore the WWW. Some commonly used
search engines are:
A useful tool for the student (or manager) interested in exploring topics in OB could be to
use the internet to locate information. For this first exercise go to
www.searchenginewatch.com to learn more about what Search Engines and Metacrawlers
do and how they differ. Once you are on the searchenginewatch home page, click on Search
Engine Listings, then on Major Search Engines. This page presents an overview of the major
engines and how best to use them. Do not forget to look at other topics on this website that
of interest to you.
1. Now perform a search for organisational behaviour using three different search
engines. Do the results differ, or are they the same? If they differ, why do you think
they are different? Write a paragraph or two answering these questions based on
what you learned from researching Search Engines. Also, include another paragraph
providing examples and/or reasons of when you would use or choose one Search
Engine compared to another.
2. The text tells us that OB replaces intuition with systematic study. Where do scholars
prepare for a career researching OB topics? Additionally, what if you decide at some
point to pursue graduate study in OB? Where would you go? Perform a search to
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identify two to three graduate programs in OB; print out the home page of each,
with the descriptions of these programs, and bring them to class. Note that different
schools have programs in different departments and disciplines that show the
diversity of thinking about OB in these programs. If you need ideas as to where to
start, try:
a. Harvardhttp://www.hbs.edu/units/ob/index.html
b. the official website of the Organisational Behaviour Division of the Academy of
Management, http://www.obweb.org/.
a. Who are the companies? (Be sure to list their web address, too.)
b. What are their policies?
c. How do these policies attract and keep people?
d. Do these policies interest you? Why?
e. How might they make their policies more attractive to workers?
f. If they make the changes you suggest, what results would you expect? (Is
there evidence to back up your opinion? If it is just your opinion, say so, but
later we will look for studies that back up or refute your opinion.)
4. Find an organisation that, on its website, directly addresses the cost of absenteeism
on turnover. Once you have found an organisation, check with me to make certain
that we do not have too many students in the class researching the same company.
What, if anything, is that organisation doing to reduce those costs? What did your
search tell you about the importance or unimportance of these costs to
organisations? In class we will meet in small groups to discuss the strategies that
organisations are using. Be prepared to talk about your organisations strategy to the
group, and possibly to the class. Below are some websites to get you started, but do
not hesitate to perform your own search:
a. http://www.pwc.com.au/industry/healthcare/assets/Workplace-Wellness-
Sep10.pdf
b. http://dnbsmallbusiness.com.au/News/Workplace_absenteeism_costs_28b/in
dexdl_9074.aspx
c. http://eafinc.org/jobsrvy.htm
Case Study 1b: Increasing age diversity in the workplace p53 (TBK)
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where people are and with whom they are meeting. As more young people, who are familiar
with other social media forms, join the workforce this game is seen as meeting everyones
needs.
Exercise: Considering the previous chapter on the ageing workforce, what are the risks to
introducing such tools? Does the class believe that all younger people want these tools at
work? What about earning badges?
Extra: What do these tools tell you about the workplace? Make links back to the myth or
science and show how attitude can be linked to beliefs brought from past experiences.
Seminar 2b
Ethical choice Sick and tired of absenteeism
This piece argues that many Australians chuck a sickie (take sick leave without being sick)
because they are not engaged with their work, or they are subject to bad management
practices.
Student activity:
How would you manage someone taking sick leave when they were not sick. What actions
could they legally take in relation to this?
Check out what sick and personal leave entitlements means to you. Does the word
entitlement mean it is there to be used? Would this change for you if you had to apply and
have personal absence approved for any reason?
Be reminded that as manager you may be managing a boring piece of work, so thinking
about what might make work fun could be the starting point here, also be mindful that one
persons fun is anothers torture.
Activity: You need to do an internet search comparing and contrasting worklife balance
issues and provisions around the globe. The starting point is to research what paid parental
leave provisions exist at a government level and then seek to understand what might be
provided by certain organisations. Seek information from countries that are part of the
global economy, such as the Philippines, China and India, as well as places such as Saudi
Arabia and Australia, England and the USA. This is an exercise in understanding global
offerings at a government level, but it also looks at how the practice can vary, too.
leave conditions
x x x
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Conclude this activity by linking to the previous chapter on diversity. As we have more
women in the workforce, and an ageing population, and so on, these changes will be
required to enable us to keep the workforce productive.
Case Study 2b: Long hours, hundreds of emails and no sleep, does this sound like a satisfying job?p77
(TBK)
Seminar 3a:
Ch7
Goal-setting theory.
Goal-setting theory has been shown to be useful in shaping behaviour. Ask students to think
of when practice has paid off for them in changing a behaviour. Get them to link how much
practice was needed and if this changed their behaviour, rather than it being something easily
attained? The intrinsic reward from learning to do something and having incremental goals
was shown in chapter 1, when gamification was discussed at Atlassiantheir badge system is
about small goals along the way.
Consider the argument that if the goals are too readily achievable it would diminish their
ability to shape behaviour. Do you agree or disagree. Justify your choice.
Consider what affects your motivation. Think of some experiences when you have found it
difficult to motivate yourself to do something. Having studied this unit, what tactics could you
use to better motivate yourself?
Seminar 3b
Suzie has been very busy at work. So busy that she has not been able to complete the report
on time that her manager asked for. She was thinking she would get it done, but, really, she
needs him to allow her to do it later. He is adamant and says that as a result of her failure to
deliver, her performance is deemed below par. She is upset and considers his actions unfair.
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1. Using the model of organisational justice from page 183, explain why the manager
sees his decision as fair and how he could explain this to Suzy.
2. Considering what you have learnt about motivation and multitasking, what could you
suggest to Suzy to assist her for the future?
1. Motivation the old fashioned way? Read how Bill Mork reenergised his workforce and
realised real savings in the process. Go to
http://www.inc.com/magazine/19941101/3187.html and read the article of his companys
success. Choose one classic theory of motivation and one contemporary theory to explain
why his program works. Bring your analysis to class.
2. What motivated you to go to college? What is motivating you to stay and succeed? Visit
these sites for ideas and tips for being successful and staying motivated during your
academic career.
http://home.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/chp12_1
http://www.academictips.org/acad/collegemotivation.html
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/motivate.html
http://w3.unisa.edu.au/counsellingservices/success/motivation.asp
http://www.academictips.org/acad/collegemotivation.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9ixnGK1qn8
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Stock options are used as management and employee motivators. Are they powerful
motivators? Read the article Reward System: Increasing Performance and Employee
Happiness found on the website listed below. Write a short reaction paper (one page)
about this article. Include in the paper your thoughts on what organisations should do
when stocks plummet, and why they still need to motivate employees.
http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/motivating_reward_system.h
tml.
Select one theory that you think applies to your present job or a previous job, and write a
short description of the job and how the theory applies. Now look over the class syllabus.
What theories of motivation are applicable for the way this class is set up? Again, write a
short description and the theory as its applied. For example, your paper is due
on ?/?/201? = Goal-setting theory.
4. Paying up is hard to do! Should the organisation choose a skill-based pay plan or pay-for-
performance plan? Start by comparing the two, then make a recommendation as to why one
would be preferable to the other.
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/actemp/downloads/publications/srspaysy.pdf to
learn more about skill-based plans. Go to http://www.ama-assn.org//ama/pub/physician-
resources/practice-management-center/claims-revenue-cycle/managed-care-
contracting/evaluating-payment-options/pay-for-performance.page If you were to make a
recommendation as to what strategy would be the most effective, which would you choose?
Why? (Hint: it will have to be linked to a motivational theory.) Write a one-page reaction
paper discussing your views.
5. From quality circles to total quality management (TQM), getting employees involved is
not a simple venture. The website
http://www.govexec.com/reinvent/articles/0797fqg2.htm discusses this issue and why the
USA did not have the same success as Japan with the concept. Once youve read this
page, click on one of the related stories (for example, Death of TQM). Write a short
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summary of both pages, with key points only, that can be used during a discussion of
TQM.
What do workers want? Money? Probably, but other things, too. Go to About.com to read
an assessment of what workers want at
http://humanresources.about.com/library/weekly/aa083002a.htm.
Write your own assessment, just a paragraph or two, of what motivational theories
are at play in this article. Bring your assessment and the article to class for a group
discussion.
Write a journal entry, or short paper, about when you experienced an environment
that encouraged you to develop your potential. For example, it could be when you
were involved in an arts program, writing clinic, a club, a sports team, a class, and
so on. What motivated you when you felt discouraged (or were simply tired and did
not want to go that day)? Who was the coach who encouraged you, and how
important a role did that person have in your success? What did you learn about
yourself in the process? Do these skills transfer to other areas of your life
Case Study 3a: Telereach-WorkTeams (Moodle)
Case Study 3b: Multitasking, a good use of your time? P203 (TBK)
Seminar 4a
Ch8-9
OB in practice how to invigorate team building:
While up to 82% of people are willing to participate in team building, 75% have stated that
they have had a bad team-building experience. The issues cited include: participants who
dont cooperate ruining it for everyone; the experience is not fun; the activities are badly
facilitated; the purpose is not clear; people suffer personal embarrassment; the
presentations are tired and clichd; people work in cliques; the activities are outside
working hours; and managers are not participating.
Discuss/Activity: You have a great interest in training and have just joined a training
organisation who specialise in team building. Having done very well in your university
studies, you told the CEO in your interview you had an OB specialty. You scored the job
and this is your first big client. You are leading the group and have just returned from a
briefing with the client, who said, We want to have a fun day for everyone, take some
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pressure off and do some team building. I want to take everyone out of their comfort zone,
you know, do something different
You tried asking some questions about their expectations, but the client just said, Oh, I
dont know, lets go sailing or play football, maybe rock climbing. Youre the expert but
make it fun!
What do you think needs to be considered given the OB in practice case along with your OB
studies to date?
Seminar 4b
Industry-related practical applications
Not everyone is in the team
Having studied OB, a colleague asks you for some advice with her team at the local doctors
surgery. Each team member does a different thing for the organisation. There are some
administration people who all do the same job for the same outcome. There is a marketing
person, a multimedia person and several doctors who each run their own practice. In
addition, they have a technical support person to ensure that all their IT needs are met.
They all report to the office manager. They have been working well together for some years,
although one person has a prickly personality. Everyone has just worked around this
because the team seems to function well. They get along well enough, although some
friendships are stronger than others. Recently, the team has undergone some changes; a
new manager and a new team member have joined. No one seems as generally happy as
they were. Your friend thinks an afternoon of team building could work. It would be fun and
its just what everyone needs.
1) Identify what is really going on in this team based on what you know about
personality, and teams and groups.
.
2) What advice could you give your friend that would make a difference beyond a team-
building afternoon?
Seminar 5a
Ch10-12
Online resources
1. Listening requires more than a physical presence, it requires a mental presence, too!
Learn more about how to develop your skills as an empathetic listener at
http://crs.uvm.edu/gopher/nerl/personal/comm/e.html. Write a short journal entry
describing how you plan to further develop one technique listed in the article.
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2. Organisational communication has been drastically changed by the introduction of
modern technologies in just the last 10 years; however, it does not just happen.
There must be support personnel and products to assist users with communicating
by technology. Go to http://www.databasesystemscorp.com/psccproducts.htm to
explore one vendors products and services that support organisational
communication. Write a short journal entry about what you learn from this website.
4. Listening requires more than a physical presence, it requires a mental presence, too!
Learn more about how to develop your skills as an empathetic listener at
http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/empathic-listening
Seminar 5b
Industry-related practical applications
You have just been appointed as divisional leader for everything.com. You have been on the
job for three months and notice that Bobby is an up-and-coming leader. She seems to be on
the ball, have great ideas, endless enthusiasm, and a solid work ethic. You have heard from
her manager, though, that she is about to be put on a performance improvement plan.
When you enquire as to why, your direct report says that Bobby is just not a good fit. You
have the feeling that it is because she challenges the status quo. What should you do?
Seminar 6a
Ch14-15
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Seminar 6b
Additional online resources
1. What do you think it would be like working for the Happiest Place on Earth, which is,
of course, Disney Land? Disney is huge, so much more than theme parks. Go to
http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/index.html to get a flavour of what their corporate
culture might be like. Click on the links found at the bottom of the page. One link even
references culture, but it is not necessarily referring to corporate culture. Be prepared to
talk about what you learnt about the Disney Corporation in class.
2. How does a change agent go about changing the corporate culture? The task, no
doubt, is never easy, but the following website offers a process to follow at
http://www.lynco.com/culchange.html. Read through the article and try to think of a time
when an organisation you were involved with underwent change. Take the steps outlined in
the article and apply them to your experience. Write a brief commentary on how each step
would apply to your situation. Bring it to class and be prepared to discuss your case.
3. How does one differentiate between a strong and a weak culture? The Denison
Organisational Culture Survey can be found at
http://www.denisonconsulting.com/dc/Default.aspx?tabid=40. It is an internal tool used by
organisations. The page provides information about the survey and a model of strong versus
weak organisational cultures. Write a paragraph or two on how you think this information
might be helpful to organisations.
5. Can you imagine what it is like to arrive in Australia from a foreign country and
work? Look at the resources available at www.spectrumvic.org.au to assist people to
understand what it will be like when they take a job here. Discuss with your class if you
believe the facts in these resources are true and if they are helpful?
Seminar 7a
Ch16
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1. What are the four main approaches to managing organisational change?
2. How can managers create a culture for change?
3. What is stress and what are the possible sources of stress?
Seminar 7b
3 Visit this TED talk http://on.ted.com/Achor about how we frame things and how our mind
can change what we experience. What does this talk teach us about managing stress and
change?
4 Alain de Boton offers some insight into jobs and job-related stress.
http://www.twistimage.com/blog/archives/when-it-comes-to-your-work-stay-calm/. This
page has a TED talk about measures of success and how this creates stress.
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