Politics is dirty business. Yet in this campaign season where voters are polarized and the issues are contentious, Vicky Hartzler and Ike Skelton are running civil campaigns for a Missouri congressional seat. Mr. Skelton, a Democrat, currently holds the position and has done so since 1977. Ms. Hartzler has a number of successful political campaigns under her belt, but none at the national level. Both candidates are equally motivated and believe they can win in November.

QUESTIONS:

1. You might wonder “why would anyone want to get into politics?” Well why would they? Using Hierarchy of Needs, explain why Rep. Skelton and Ms. Hartzler might be motivated to run for political office.

2. Since the early 1990s, we have seen candidates emerge and present themselves as anti-establishment. This sometimes comes with a promise that they will not be career politicians. Invariably, they get elected and continue to run cycle after cycle. Use Acquired Needs Theory to explain this.

3. Carefully examine the three components of Expectancy Theory. Develop a guess as to the motivation levels for challenger Hartzler and incumbent Skelton. Be sure to consider comments by Professor Sharlene Bax and voters Jim Parker and Keith Pritchard.

SOURCE: K. Helliker, “GOP Challenger Poses Threat to Longtime Incumbent,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304354104575568551624792216.html)

The San Francisco Giants beat the defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies to claim the 2010 National League Pennant and the right to face the Texas Rangers in the World Series. Giants manager Bruce Bochy is back in the series for the first time since 1998 (when he managed the San Diego Padres). San Francisco is hoping to win its first world championship since the team moved out west in 1958.

QUESTIONS:

1. Illustrate how Giants manager Bruce Bochy could use each of the bases of power. Which do you believe he relies most heavily upon?

2. Given what you read about Bochy, how would you characterize his leadership traits? Where would you place him on Blake and Mouton’s Leadership Grid?

3. Managers at this level really have very little influence on the game. While the article would definitely disagree, use a substitutes for leadership argument to support this statement.

SOURCE: J. McCauley, “Bochy’s Decisions a Big Reason SF Giants in Series,” San Francisco Chronicle (Retrievable online at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/24/SP341G1CTH.DTL&feed=rss.sports)

After living through near starvation for 17 days, 33 miners had to prepare for the rigors of their rescue. Dr. Jean Christophe Romagnoli developed a training routine utilizing an elastic band that would condition the miners’ muscles to avoid cramps and spasms during their ascent. Dr Romagnoli also monitored the miners’ health and suggested they alter their intake of fluids to overcome the grueling conditions in the mine.

QUESTIONS:

1. Imagine being trapped one-half mile underground. What Big Five personality dimensions do you believe would be most important in surviving an ordeal like this for more than two months?

2. What role do activities such as exercise and clearing mine debris have on the miners’ emotions and moods?

3. Discuss the various stressors that exist for the miners. Do you consider these constructive, destructive, or both? Identify the elements of stress management/personal wellness offered to the trapped minters.

SOURCE: M. Moffett, “Chile Miners Work Out Before Rescue,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704689804575536490309185222.html)

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Chilean President Sebastian Pinera had barely been in office five months when 33 miners became trapped in the San Jose Mine run by Codelco. The president was no stranger to disaster, having ushered the country through recovery after one the strongest earthquakes on record. Once again, the national spotlight was upon him as the country waited to see what he could do to locate and, hopefully, rescue the trapped miners. President Pinera marshaled all resources and spared no expense. That included adjusting his own schedule to meet with affected families and culminated in an around-the-clock vigil until each and every miner emerged safely.

QUESTIONS:

1. What bases of power did President Pinera draw upon during the ordeal with the trapped miners? Why does this make him the right person to lead the rescue?

2. Think about the various situations that existed throughout 69-day duration from mine collapse until the rescue of the last miner. Apply Path-Goal Theory to describe the actions taken by President Pinera. You should be able to utilize all four leadership styles.

3. Make a case for the Chilean president as both a charismatic and moral leader.

SOURCE: C. Pica, “Chile’s President Pinera Reaps Political Benefits,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704763904575550430395209708.html)

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Imagine being trapped underground for more than two months. Difficulties associated with such a plight include food and water availability, personal hygiene, and psychological issues. The Chilean miners were able to overcome these problems through a vast array of technological wonders, including bacteria-killing clothing, cleansing products that required little or no water, and electronics equipment that allowed the miners to send and receive messages with individuals above ground. Perhaps the most important technological innovation was the Phoenix rescue craft.

QUESTIONS:

1. Was creativity an important aspect of the mine rescue operations? Discuss how many of the solutions provided to the trapped miners constitute creativity.

2. Imagine and describe the process that led to the development of the Phoenix transport system. How do factors such as time and availability of resources influence this process?

3. Think of the Chilean government as the organization leading the rescue operation. What are the characteristics of innovation that this organization brings to the problem?

SOURCE: M. Moffett, “Inventions Ease the Plight of Trapped Miners,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704116004575522343755639692.html)

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It is not uncommon for a sitting President to experience turnover in Cabinet-level appointments during the mid-term. Presidential administrations go through stages and resignations/replacements sometimes follow mid-term elections, when voters indicate their approval or disapproval of policies enacted. What is a bit unusual is that the present administration is seeing considerable turnover in advance of the mid-term election. This is perhaps an indication of the volatile nature of politics at the national level. These resignations, and the decisions for replacements, provide an excellent opportunity to consider organizational structure.

QUESTIONS:

M1. Review the three traditional organization structures. Which structural arrangement best describes the President’s Cabinet? Why does this structure make sense?

M2. Think for a moment about your reaction when you hear the word “bureaucracy.” Now examine the definitions for “organizing” and “bureaucracy” found in the text. Would you characterize the bureaucratic nature of our government as a positive or negative? Why?

M3. Is the structure of the federal government mechanistic or organic? Why is this design appropriate?

SOURCE: J. Weisman & A. Entous, “More Change at White House,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704657304575539880449102618.html)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay’s masterful performance (hard for this Reds fan to swallow) in Game 1 of the National League Division Series is a gem worth analyzing. While most insiders quickly recognize that a no-hitter involves team contributions, Roy Halladay’s entire season should be evaluated from the perspective of individual behavior. Nevertheless, the article also affords opportunities to discuss Human Resource Management, Motivation, and Teamwork.

QUESTIONS:

M1. In this day and age where professional athletes have very little commitment to a single team (consider Lebron James), Roy Halladay joins Philadelphia and has a record book-type season in his first year with the Phillies. Granted he had several good seasons with his previous team, the Toronto Blue Jays, but none that distinguishes him quite like this year’s effort. Discuss the role of his psychological contract with the Phillies and why that might help explain the situation. What is different about being with the Phillies (as opposed to the Blue Jays)?

M2. Clearly athletic ability contributes to Roy Halladay’s success. What about personality? Construct a personality type that you believe would be associated with success at the Major League level.

M3. Professional athletes earn tremendous salaries (in relation to what you and I can generally expect during our careers). Is this the key component of job satisfaction for a player like Roy Halladay? What other factors might contribute to his feelings about working for the Philadelphia Phillies? Is this something that the Phillies should care about?

M4. Big games like playoffs and no-hitters are stressful. Do moods influence these performances? If so, how? Consider the comment made by catcher Carlos Ruiz. Does this reflect mood contagion?

SOURCE: M. Dodd & S. Livingstone, “No-Hit Wonders: Reflections on MLB’s Exclusive Two-Man Club,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/phillies/2010-10-07-halladay-no-hitter_N.htm)

In another example of the viral effects of the internet, a passenger on board a Cebu Pacific Airlines flight recorded attendants dancing their way through the safety briefing. Millions of views generated tremendous publicity both for the fledgling airline and the Phillipines.

QUESTIONS:

M1. Was this safety demonstration effective communication, efficient communication, both, or neither? [Note: if you have ever been on an airline flight, think about how much attention you give to these safety briefings.]

M2. Identify communication barriers present in the demonstration. Considering your response to the preceding topic question, would you recommend Cebu Pacific stop conducting the safety demonstration this way? Why or why not?

M3. How does the video clip and its popularity represent social capital for Cebu Pacific Airlines?

SOURCE: C. Batino & C. Yap, “Flight Attendants Dancing to Lady Gaga Good for Airline IPO,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2010-10-08-gagaflight08_ST_N.htm)

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When United and Continental merged, the new combined company pushed ahead of Delta to become the biggest carrier in the airline industry. This after Delta assumed the position from rival American two years ago. Another rival, Southwest, is poised to increase its size in a proposed acquisition of Air Tran. The industry is becoming less crowded and more competitive. United-Continental CEO Jeff Smisek plans to be successful through business basics, i.e., a strong company culture and quality customer service. For now, Smisek must set about ensuring that the company can deliver.

QUESTIONS:

M1. All of the major competitors in the airline industry offer the same product. What is the United-Continental competitive advantage? How does this advantage compare to that of other carriers? Is the United-Continental advantage sustainable?

M2. With respect to rivals, what condition exists in the airline industry? Analyze the attractiveness of this industry using Porter’s Five Forces Model. What is your assessment? What is the outlook for the new United-Continental merged company?

M3. Read through the interview with CEO Smisek. What is the business-level strategy for United-Continental? Upon what do you base your response?

M4. Would you characterize Smisek as a strategic leader? If so, why? If not, what should he be doing?

SOURCE: D. Reed, “United Is Merged: CEO Smisek Is Ready to Take on the World,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2010-10-01-unitedceo_CV_N.htm)

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the promotion of three high-level company executives last week. The moves were made in response to two key departures from the high tech giant. Kurt DelBene, Don Mattrick, and Andy Lees will run the Office, interactive entertainment, and mobile communications divisions.

QUESTIONS:

M1. High technology organizations rely heavily on innovation. In what ways do the promotions of DelBene, Mattrick, and Lees enhance the creative work environment of Microsoft? What characteristics of innovative organizations do the promotions reinforce?

M2. What type of innovation is represented by Microsoft products?

M3. What type of change is represented by promoting leaders from within the company?

SOURCE: N. Wingfield, “Microsoft Fills Executive Gaps,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704029304575526142910565712.html)