Fundamentals Of Management

Section 1: Students will read section one of the text. The student will respond to the following questions with complete answers. It is particularly important that the student state the question, respond to the question in full sentences in an organized manner, and address all elements of the question. As each question is being graded separately, and a number of questions have several parts, it is particularly important that the student read the question.

Section 1: Chapter 1: Question 1

The Functions of Management are divided into four areas: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. These are often divided into specific areas on a chart. How do these processes overlap? For example, how does the process of controlling interface with the process of planning, organizing and leading?

Section 1: Chapter 1: Question 2

Managers are expected to have conceptual skills, human skills and technical skills. On page 21, Figure 1.7, there is a chart indicating which skills are usually found at different levels of management. How do you feel that each of these types of skills is developed by managers? (There are several paragraphs in the chapter which address this)

Section 1: Chapter 1: Question 3

On page 15, Figure 1.4, is a reverse or “upside-down” pyramid demonstrating a view of the organization with the customer at the top. How does this pyramid demonstrate the “changing mindset” of today’s organization?

Section 1: Chapter 2: Question 1

On Page 29, Learning Styles are divided into four types – the accommodator, the diverger, the converger, and the assimilator. Which is your preferred learning style and which is your least preferred learning style? Why?

Section 1: Chapter 2: Question 2

On Page 31, Taylor’s four guiding action principles of Scientific Management are listed. How are these similar to the work of Fayol and Weber (as discussed in the chapter)? Include why all three are listed under the classical school of management in your response.

Section 1: Chapter 2: Question 3

The work of Mary Parker Follet was a transition to the behavioral approaches to management. Although some of the early theories such as Maslow and McGregor have not necessarily been validated through studies, they remain an important part of a shift from the classical to the behavioral theories. How do the works of Angyris, Maslow, Mayo, and McGregor differ from the earlier classical approaches to management (as discussed in the text)? What do they have in common?

Section 1: Chapter 3: Question 1

On page 55, there are four views of ethical behavior. These are the Moral Rights Vies, the Individualism View, the Utilitarian View, and the Justice View. Choose one of these views and discuss how this view affects the individual and the organization. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the view you have chosen?

Section 1: Chapter 3: Question 2

What is the difference between cultural relativism and universalism? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these philosophies?

Section 1: Chapter 3: Question 3

On page 70 of the text, four types of Social Performance (responsibility) are listed: Economic, Legal, Ethical and Discretionary. How do these fit into the concept of the sustainable organization?

In addition, select one of the questions and expand your question into an essay. Remember that this essay should be two to three pages, double spaced. Additional information is found under writing assignments.