Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e

Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Discussion: How to Design Jobs to Enhance Satisfaction and Motivation: Job Characteristics Model   Previous Next  “Quote Martin Luther King, Jr. on hope.” byaafromaa is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Assignment Expectations: In this Discussion, you should respond with substantial detail to this topic early in the first week of the module. This will be your “initial post.” For your initial post also bring in information from at least two background sources. You are also encouraged (but not required) to include a source or two from your own research to help inform your classmates. Cite the sources. The initial post should be about 250 words. Then, early in the second week of the module, respond to the posts of at least two of your classmates. Your responses should have depth of critical thought and not simply agree or disagree. For each response post also bring in information from at least one background source or your own research to help inform your classmates. Cite the source. Each response post should be about 175 words. Discussion posts will be assessed according to the following criteria found on the discussion rubric: Quality of initial posting (first post): Initial posting reveals a clear understanding of all aspects of the treated discussion question; uses factual and relevant information; and demonstrates full development of concepts. Quality of responses to classmates: Responds to the required number of students and to the professor, if appropriate. Demonstrates analysis of others’ posts; extends meaningful discussions by building on previous peer posts; and offers alternative perspectives. Reference to supporting readings/information literacy: Refers to and properly cites either course and/or outside sources in posts, as required. Critical thinking: Demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem; viewpoints and assumptions of experts are analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated; and conclusions are logically presented with appropriate rationale. Timeliness: Initial post occurs in a timely manner (1-3 days into module) allowing ample time for classmates to respond and engage. Posting early allows for more opportunities for leading the discussions, making substantial contributions, and engaging in meaningful and mutual discussions with others. It also is the best chance for the highest grade in the discussion. Background for Discussion 1: To prepare for this Discussion, review the background material, including the reading and video on the Job Characteristics Model. You may also find the following short synopsis helpful: Louis, D. J. (2016). Notes on the Job Characteristics Model. Also, read about 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. Discussion Question For Initial Post: Respond to both of the following (a and b): Consider a job you have held that you did NOT find motivating. What job characteristics were missing? How do you think that job could have been redesigned to enhance one or more job characteristics and increase its motivating propertiesNote: 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. For example, when someone has posted to your initial job characteristics post, go back and comment on whether or not the suggested changes would have made you feel more motivated. Why or why not? Critically compare and contrast the Job Characteristics Model with Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene theory. 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? If not, what, if anything, does this tell you? For Responses to Peers: Review at least two peers’ posts and suggest some ways the manager could redesign that job to enhance one or more job characteristics and increase the motivating properties of that job.
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Module 1 – SLP MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR The SLP for this course involves making a personal assessment of a relevant set of skills, focusing on your strengths and identifying any weaknesses that may have been revealed. You will then create a plan by which you can “grow” your strengths and shore up your weaknesses. By the end of the project, you will have a personal management profile and action plan. As we have discussed, your values and attitudes interact with your personality to create a strong effect on your work life. The fit between an individual’s personality and a company’s “style” is essential to job satisfaction. Someone who is risk-averse, for example, would probably be unhappy at 3M, a company with a reputation for innovation and risk-taking.  Understanding the impact of your own personality on others helps you build productive work relationships with peers, subordinates, and bosses, alike.  Refer to the required and optional sources for this module, and any other materials which will help you in understanding personality styles and how they affect organizational effectiveness.  Remember to follow Trident’s guidelines for masters-level writing. Citation and reference style instructions are available at Trident University’s Introduction to APA Style, 7th edition . Assignment  Click on this link to access and complete the Jung Typology personality test. After you complete the test, you will want to read the description, but in order to fully understand what this test measures, you should also review “Personality Type explained.” Then review the pages on career choices, learning style and communication skills. Incorporate this information in formulating your responses to the questions below. Include the actual results in an appendix at the end of your paper. (Note: This appendix requirement will likely increase your paper’s Turnitin similarity score; however, your professor is aware of this.) Prepare a 2- to 3-page essay that addresses the following:  How does my personality type affect my career and effectiveness at my job? Discuss: What did the test reveal about you? What can you infer from this test about your strengths and weaknesses? How does what you have learned from your module background materials about your personality type affect your motivation? Is this limited to a specific type of situation? What specific steps can you take to increase your strengths and build up weaknesses? Refer to at least two module readings plus any other materials to help you in understand personality styles and how they affect organizational effectiveness. Complete the assessment according to the guidelines. Include the actual results in an Appendix section as the last page of your paper. Follow the writing guidelines and other sources listed under the Optional Materials heading on the Module 1 Background page. SLP Assignment Expectations Your paper will be evaluated using the criteria on the SLP rubric (see the rubric for more detail): Assignment-Driven, Critical Thinking, Business Writing, Effective Use of Information, Citing Sources, and Timeliness.
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Module 2 – SLP MANAGING GROUPS AND TEAMS Communication Climate Communication is the grease which makes relationships in organizations run smoothly, and by extension, directly affects the effectiveness of the organization itself. Communication climate refers to the mood or tone of interpersonal communications and determines in great part how people feel about each other and how they carry out their work activities. Thus, communication climate has a great deal of influence over the organizational climate or general atmosphere of the work environment. Read the following blog about what it is like to work in a defensive climate: Dukes, A.J. (2012). Defensive v Supportive Climates in the Workplace. Retrieved from http://scom320class.blogspot.com/2012/07/defensive-v-supportive-climates-in.html As you can see from this blog entry, defensive climates create a situation where employees do not raise work concerns or communicate their needs. They are careful about what they say and guard their opinions. Frequently they exhibit low motivation. Supportive climates, on the other hand, encourage employee participation and engagement, an open exchange of information, and constructive conflict. Employees who work in supportive environments often exhibit greater organizational commitment, an attitude cited as highly desirable in Module 1.   The Communication Climate Inventory was developed as a means of measuring the degree of supportiveness and defensiveness in an organization. For this SLP, take the inventory and score your organization’s communication climate using the scale below. Take the Communication Climate Inventory. Defensive Score Supportive Score SLP Assignment Compose a 2- to 3-page blog like the one you read for this SLP, describing the climate in your organization, department, or team. Do not use the actual name of the organization – you can make up a pseudonym. Include the following in your description: Is the climate supportive or defensive? Does this align with the results of your Communication Climate Inventory? Attach your Inventory results as an appendix. (Note: This appendix requirement will likely increase your paper’s Turnitin similarity score; your professor is aware of this.) How does the communication climate affect motivation and organizational/team commitment? How could you improve the communication climate in your organization, department, or team? What communication skills would you like to learn or improve on in order to create a supportive communication climate? Be sure to support your analysis with concepts and principles introduced in the background readings on communication as well as conflict and teams (if appropriate). You may also incorporate outside research to supplement the background material. Cite all sources properly. SLP Assignment Expectations Your paper will be evaluated using the criteria on the SLP rubric (see the rubric for more detail): Assignment-Driven, Critical Thinking, Business Writing, Effective Use of Information, Citing Sources, and Timeliness.
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the experiential format below. Each subtitle represents a different section of the paper.  You can use the subtitles as headings. Introduction: Discuss the topic of the paper and how you will approach it. It is best to write this section after you have written the rest of the paper. The Experience: Begin with a specific situation/event. Describe the experience where you felt extremely motivated. Be objective and focus on just the facts: who, what, where, when, and how. Reflection: Reflect upon that experience from the multiple perspectives of other people involved or affected in the experience. Step back from the situation, look at the experience from your own viewpoint, and the viewpoints of other parties involved or affected. Look at the circumstances surrounding the experience from every relevant perspective. Why was the experience motivating to you? What did others do that increased your motivation? Was the situation (or would the situation) also be motivating to others? (Note: Your discussion of theories and models from your module materials belongs in the following section.) Abstract Conceptualization: [Important: This Abstract Conceptualization section is the “heart” of your paper. Use critical thinking skills to understand and interpret the experience at a deeper, more generalizable level. Interpret and understand the events you have described by drawing on the concepts, theories, and models in the background material from this module. What behavior patterns can you identify in yourself and others that are similar to the ones described in the material on motivation, values, and/or goals? How do these concepts and principles explain why you were motivated? What general principles of motivation can you derive from this analysis? Apply at least three concepts, theories, and/or models and cite all references to concepts and ideas that you use from sources. Be sure to cite all references to concepts, ideas, and quotes you use that come from any outside source. Experimentation: Identify ways to respond to the next occurrence of a similar experience. How are you going to put what you have learned to use? How will you use this knowledge to motivate yourself and others? What actions will you take to create a work environment that is motivating? Conclusion: Sum up the main points of your analysis and the key learnings you are taking from it. Reference List: List all references that you have cited in the paper using APA formatting.  References include materials from the required background readings as well as any outside Internet or library sources you used in researching and writing your paper. If you have APA questions, refer to the optional listings on the Background page. Assignment Expectations Your paper will be evaluated using the criteria as stated in the Case grading rubric. The following is a review of the rubric criteria:  Assignment-Driven: Does the paper fully address all aspects of the assignment?  Is the assignment addressed accurately and precisely using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?  Critical Thinking: Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of discussion and analysis?  Business Writing: Is the essay logical, well organized and well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are section headings included? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding, or is justification/support instead conveyed through excessive use of direct quotations?   Effective Use of Information: Does the submission demonstrate that the student has read, understood and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated effective research, as evidenced by student’s use of relevant and quality (library?) sources? Do additional sources used provide strong support for conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?  Citing Sources: Does the student demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing, by inclusion of proper citations (for paraphrased text and direct quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included, and are these properly cited? Have all sources cited in the paper been included on the References page?  Timeliness: Has the assignment been submitted to TLC (Trident’s learning management system) on or before the module’s due date?
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Module 2 – Case MANAGING GROUPS AND TEAMS Assignment Overview Group Dynamics and Teams We will continue our experiential approach to the study of Organizational Behavior by engaging in a personal applied case on the topic of group dynamics and teams. As in Module 1, use the following outline to structure your 4- to 6-page paper. You may use the subtitles as headings for your paper. Introduction: Discuss the topic of the paper and how you will approach it. It is best to write this section after you have written the rest of the paper. Concrete Experience: Begin with a specific situation/event. Describe an experience with a group or team that was meaningful to you. It may have been an extraordinarily good experience – or it may have been an experience that did not work out very well at all! The important point is that it should be an experience which you would like to understand better. Be objective and focus on just the facts: who, what, where, when, and how – as if you were composing a newspaper article. Reflective Observation: Reflect upon that experience from multiple perspectives of persons involved or affected in the experience. Step back from the situation, look at the experience from your own viewpoint, and from the perspective of all other parties involved or affected. You want to look at the circumstances surrounding the experience from every relevant point of view. Why did you behave the way that you did? Why did others behave the way that they did? Did others have the same positive (or negative) experience? Explain. (Note: your discussion of theories and models from your module materials belongs in the following section.) Abstract Conceptualization: (This Abstract Conceptualization section is the “heart” of your paper.) Use critical thinking skills to understand and interpret the experience at a deeper, more generalizable level. Interpret and understand the events you have described by drawing on the concepts, theories, and models in the background material from this module. Explain how they apply to your experience. For example, what behavior patterns can you identify in yourself and others that are similar to the ones described in the material on communication, teams, and conflict management? Does the model of Force Field Analysis (home page) help you better understand why people behaved the way they did? Be sure to apply at least three concepts, theories, and/or models and cite all references to concepts, ideas, and/or quotes that you use from any outside source. Active Experimentation: Identify ways to respond to the next occurrence of a similar experience. What have you learned about the way groups work from this analysis? What have you learned from your mistakes? How are you going to put what you have learned to use? What actions will you take to build more effective work teams in your job? Conclusion: Sum up the main points of your analysis and the key learning you are taking from it. Reference List: List all references that you have cited in the paper using APA formatting. References include materials from the required background readings as well as any outside internet or library sources you used in researching and writing your paper. If you have APA questions, refer to the optional listings on the background page. Assignment Expectations Your Case paper will be evaluated using the criteria on the assignment rubric (see the rubric for more detail): Assignment-Driven, Critical Thinking, Business Writing, Effective Use of Information, Citing Sources, and Timeliness.
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Discussion: Conflict Management and Active Listening   Previous Next  “Bears!” by SteFou! is licensed under CC BY 2.0 In this Discussion, you should respond with substantial detail to this topic early in the first week of the module. This will be your “initial post.” For your initial post also bring in information from at least two background sources. You are also encouraged (but not required) to include a source or two from your own research to help inform your classmates. Cite the sources. The initial post should be about 250 words. Then, early in the second week of the module, respond to the posts of at least two of your classmates. Your responses should have depth of critical thought and not simply agree or disagree. For each response post also bring in information from at least one background source or your own research to help inform your classmates. Cite the source. Each response post should be about 175 words. Discussion posts will be assessed according to the following criteria found on the discussion rubric: Quality of initial posting (first post): Initial posting reveals a clear understanding of all aspects of the treated discussion question; uses factual and relevant information; and demonstrates full development of concepts. Quality of responses to classmates: Responds to the required number of students and to the professor, if appropriate. Demonstrates analysis of others’ posts; extends meaningful discussions by building on previous peer posts; and offers alternative perspectives. Reference to supporting readings/information literacy: Refers to and properly cites either course and/or outside sources in posts, as required. Critical thinking: Demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem; viewpoints and assumptions of experts are analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated; and conclusions are logically presented with appropriate rationale. Timeliness: Initial post occurs in a timely manner (1-3 days into module) allowing ample time for classmates to respond and engage. Posting early allows for more opportunities for leading the discussions, making substantial contributions, and engaging in meaningful and mutual discussions with others. It also is the best chance for the highest grade in the discussion. Background for Discussion 2: Before beginning this Discussion, review the background materials on conflict management. Also view the following video on active listening skills. MindToolsVideos. (2015, June 12). Improve your listening skills with active listening [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2z9mdX1j4A You will need the concepts and principles from these sources to support your responses to the discussion question. You may also support your comments with information from outside sources. Be sure to cite sources used. Discussion Question For Your Initial Post: 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? Would applying active learning techniques have helped your own experience? In what waysNote: If someone posts a response to you, you should engage with that person as appropriate—as if you were having a real-time conversation. For example, be sure to go back and comment on if you think that their suggestions would have worked to resolve the conflict. Why or why not? For Responses to Peers: Review at least two other student posts 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?
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Discussion: Merger and Unit Integration Issues   Previous Next  “Business Meeting” by thetaxhaven is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Assignment Expectations: In this Discussion, you should respond with substantial detail to this topic early in the first week of the module. This will be your “initial post.” For your initial post also bring in information from at least two background sources. You are also encouraged (but not required) to include a source or two from your own research to help inform your classmates. Cite the sources. The initial post should be about 250 words. Then, early in the second week of the module, respond to the posts of at least two of your classmates. Your responses should have depth of critical thought and not simply agree or disagree. For each response post also bring in information from at least one background source or your own research to help inform your classmates. Cite the source. Each response post should be about 175 words. Discussion posts will be assessed according to the following criteria found on the discussion rubric: Quality of initial posting (first post): Initial posting reveals a clear understanding of all aspects of the treated discussion question; uses factual and relevant information; and demonstrates full development of concepts. Quality of responses to classmates: Responds to the required number of students and to the professor, if appropriate. Demonstrates analysis of others’ posts; extends meaningful discussions by building on previous peer posts; and offers alternative perspectives. Reference to supporting readings/information literacy: Refers to and properly cites either course and/or outside sources in posts, as required. Critical thinking: Demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem; viewpoints and assumptions of experts are analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated; and conclusions are logically presented with appropriate rationale. Timeliness: Initial post occurs in a timely manner (1-3 days into module) allowing ample time for classmates to respond and engage. Posting early allows for more opportunities for leading the discussions, making substantial contributions, and engaging in meaningful and mutual discussions with others. It also is the best chance for the highest grade in the discussion. Background for Discussion 3: 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.) Discussion Question What are the key issues/challenges/opportunities you face, both short- and long-term? Describe three key elements of your merger plan and explain the sources of power that will be available to you upon which you will draw to help achieve a successful merger. Reminder: After you submit your answer to the Discussion Question itself, you also need to respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. (In total, you should have contributed one initial post to the discussion question, and two response posts to your classmates.)
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Module 3 – SLP LEADERS AND LEADERSHIP Most of what is written about leadership has been written by western scholars and practitioners—mostly from the United States. Thus, what we have studied in this module so far reflects western assumptions and values about how to improve leadership performance. But leadership quality, we know, is mostly about perception. If the followers perceive that a person is a leader, that person will be treated with respect and the followers will grant him the power and authority to guide their actions. These perceptions can vary across cultures, and successful global leaders know that leadership is viewed differently in different cultures and modify their behaviors to align with culturally diverse expectations. This is what is called Cultural Intelligence. Required Reading The following reading discusses the importance of cultural awareness in increasing organizational effectiveness: O’Reilly, C. (2013). Why is cultural intelligence important? Retrieved from http://www.trainingzone.co.uk/topic/soft-skills/why-cultuiral-intelligence-important/181942 Assignment In this exercise, there are two sets of quizzes (A & B) that you will participate in. Select either the Cross Cultural Work Scenarios or Working Globally Across Cultures quiz from http://www.commisceo-global.com/quizzes/cultural-awareness-quizzes?view=qcategory&cat_id=39 Choose any one of the country quizzes at http://www.commisceo-global.com/quizzes/cultural-awareness-quizzes?view=qcategory&cat_id=41 that looks interesting to you. After completing the quizzes, address the following questions in a 2- to 3-page essay: Which quizzes did you take? Include your actual results in an Appendix at the end of your paper. Were you surprised at your score? What strengths do you think you have in intercultural awareness? What weaknesses are you able to identify? If there were gaps between your assessment results and your own thoughts about your level of cultural awareness, why do these gaps exist? Create a plan of specific, concrete actions you can take to build on your strengths and improve areas of weakness so that you improve your cultural awareness. Why is it important for managers to increase their levels of cultural awareness? SLP Assignment Expectations Your paper will be evaluated using the criteria on the SLP rubric (see the rubric for more detail): Assignment-Driven, Critical Thinking, Business Writing, Effective Use of Information, Citing Sources, and Timeliness.
Module 1 – Case MANAGING INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR Case Assignment Think about an experience you had where you felt extremely motivated. In a 3- to 4-page paper, analyze this experience according to the e
Module 3 – Case LEADERS AND LEADERSHIP Case Assignment Once again, we will be considering an experience which has personal significance for you as a means of understanding the material from this module. For this Case Assignment, think about a situation involving leadership that made a strong impression on you. Please structure your essay in the following format, using the subtopics as headings. Your paper should be 4–6 pages, plus a title page and a references page. Introduction: Discuss the topic of the paper and how you will approach it.  It is best to write this section after you have written the rest of the paper. Concrete Experience:  Objectively describe the leadership experience.  It could be a situation where you were in a leadership position, or one in which you were working under someone else as leader. The situation could have been a good experience or a failure in leadership. The important consideration is that it is a situation which you would like to understand better. In this section, strive to be objective and stick to the facts—who, what, where, when, and how. Reflective Observation: Step back and consider the situation from different points of view.  How did you feel—what were your thoughts at the time? It is also critical to consider the experience of others involved.  How do you think they were feeling? Did they see things the same way you did? The key to this section of your paper is to understand the experience not only from your own perspective, but also to develop the ability to be able to look at the situation through others’ eyes. Use these different perceptions to add depth and meaning to your objective description. Abstract Conceptualization: There are many readings and other materials explaining various models of leadership in the background section of this module. Use at least three of them to help explain the behavior of the leader and the followers in this incident. How do the models of leadership and power presented in the background material help you understand your behavior as well as how others reacted (commitment, compliance, or resistance?) Use proper citations and referencing when referring to any material from the background pages or any additional outside research. (Outside research not required, but you may supplement the background material if you choose. It should not replace the background readings and videos, but acts as an additional source.) (Remember: The abstract conceptualization section is the “heart” of your paper. Your ability to clearly and logically apply concepts of leadership to explain your own experience is essential to demonstrating critical thinking.) Active Experimentation: What have you learned about effective leadership from this exercise? What have you learned about how the leadership style influences follower’s reactions and motivation? What actions would you take to revise or improve upon your own leadership style and practices to be more effective in the future? Conclusion: Sum up the main points of your analysis and the key learning you are taking from it. Reference List:  List all references that you have cited in the paper using APA formatting.  References include materials from the required background readings as well as any outside internet or library sources you used in researching and writing your paper. If you have APA questions, refer to the optional listings on the background page. Assignment Expectations Your Case paper will be evaluated using the criteria on the assignment rubric (see the rubric for more detail): Assignment-Driven, Critical Thinking, Business Writing, Effective Use of Information, Citing Sources, and Timeliness.