The Competition Is Seeing Red(s)

Posted by & filed under Teams.

The 2010 Cincinnati Reds are surprising many observers of Major League Baseball. The Reds themselves are not surprised. After starting the season 7-10, the team rebounded to take sole possession of the National League Central Division ahead of the much-heralded St. Louis Cardinals (they are currently in second place). The team is accomplishing this without superstar players and with contributions from utility players and rookies. While the team does not perform well in some statistical categories, they are leading the major leagues in come-from-behind victories and wins in the final at-bat. There is a quiet confidence on the team and they are determined.

QUESTIONS:

  1. “With a roster full of unknowns and unprovens” and players “thankful just to have jobs in the major leagues,” in what ways is the success experienced by the 2010 Reds an indicator of synergy?
  2. The Cincinnati Reds are an organization (in fact, the oldest Major League Baseball franchise). Make an argument that the Reds are a self-managing team and not a traditional work unit. Be sure to examine all the characteristics of self-managing teams.
  3. Examine the open-systems model of teams in your text. Discuss the various elements of this model and apply them to the Reds.
  4. When a team relies on young players like Chris Heisey, veterans such as Scott Rolen and manager Dusty Baker are very important. Discuss the relationship between norms and cohesiveness and the importance of veterans for insuring team effectiveness. Are veterans essential for sports team effectiveness?

SOURCE: M. Futterman, “Are the Reds This Year’s ‘It’ Team,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703559004575256592566168282.html)

Continental United

Posted by & filed under Organizational Structure & Design.

Continental Airlines and United Airlines plan to merge operations. While the business deal has yet to receive approval from the Justice Department and the Federal Aviation Administration, the two entities are already making plans for the transition. This includes developing interim structures and leadership to govern the transition process.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Begin by reviewing the definitions for mechanistic design and organic design. Now think about Continental Airlines and United Airlines. What design do these organizations utilize? Why? Is there anything about the airline industry that might dictate one form over the other?
  2. Now consider the proposed merger of Continental and United. Why is it important to develop a formal structure even before the merger has been approved? What are the benefits of a well-defined formal structure?
  3. The resulting merged company will utilize a functional structure. What functional areas have been identified? What is the common problem associated with a functional structure? How might this be exaggerated after the merger?

SOURCE: S. Carey, “Continental, United Agree on Merger Integration Leadership Team,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703691804575254822825228064.html)

True Bipartisanship

Posted by & filed under Communication, Conflict.

Following a national election dominated by two parties, Conservatives and Labour, Britain’s Liberal Democrats are in a position to accomplish parts of their agenda if they align with the Conservatives to create a working majority in the House of Commons. The two parties do not always see eye to eye on issues, but recognize the overriding need is to fix their country’s ailing economy.

QUESTIONS:

  1. In what ways does the article express the concept of social capital?
  2. Conservative Liam Fox commented on the dynamic that might bring his group together with the Liberal Democrats. What technique for improving communication does his comment represent? What lessons could U.S. political parties take from this? What rules should they follow?
  3. If the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are able to form a working majority, what structural approach to conflict resolution is most likely being used?

SOURCE: R. Barr, “UK Liberal Democrats Mull Pact With Conservatives,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2010-05-07-2021158293_x.htm)

The Hounds of Change

Posted by & filed under Change, Innovation/Creativity.

During the extended leave of lead singer Natalie Maines, Dixie Chicks sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire got restless. Drawing on their childhood experiences, the two decided to form a new duo, Court Yard Hounds, to begin producing folk-pop music.

QUESTIONS:

  1. What type of change led to the formation of Court Yard Hounds? What forces drive this change?
  2. Arguably, fans of the Dixie Chicks will have mixed reactions to this change. How should Emily Robison and Martie Maguire deal with resistance?
  3. Creativity is fundamentally the same wherever it occurs, but the creative process may differ from one context to another. Discuss the creativity associated with this new group and their music.

SOURCE: E. Gardner, “Two Dixie Chicks Decide to Run With the Hounds,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2010-05-07-courtyardhounds07_ST_N.htm)

Institutionalized Hate

Posted by & filed under Human Resource Management.

One thing is certain (beyond death and taxes), if you sit through enough of them, sooner or later you learn to hate performance appraisals. The article contends that it is time to put an end to performance appraisals because they are hopelessly flawed. After outlining the problems inherent in this process, the author suggests it does not have to be this way.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Your text identifies two main purposes for performance appraisal. Which purpose does the article contend is dominant? The fact that one purpose is served more often than the other is not a problem. What about the nature of how performance appraisal is conducted makes this a problem?
  2. Review the different performance appraisal methods. Considering what you learned, how does this support the article’s contention that performance appraisal is flawed? What method(s) what you use to overcome the problem identified in the article?
  3. Use compensation to form an argument for why performance appraisal should continue.

SOURCE: S. A. Culbert, “Yes, Everyone Really Does Hate Performance Reviews,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB127093422486175363.html)

All Is Not Gold(man)

Posted by & filed under Ethics.

In another very public case, Goldman Sachs executives faced tough questions at the hands of members of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Investigations Subcommittee. Senators were unrelenting in their questions about reports that Goldman sold a product to clients, who eventually lost considerable amounts of money, while hedging (investing on the belief it would fail). Goldman representatives denied wrongdoing and argued the practice was not illegal and that the company had no obligation to report its position to clients.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Goldman contends that there is nothing illegal about what it did. What type of ethical argument is this? What alternate views might suggest that what they did is unethical?
  2. Which ethical dilemma would be most likely represented by the charges against Goldman?
  3. Reconsider the argument offered by Goldman trader Fabrice Tourre. What stage of moral development does this justification represent?

SOURCE: J. D. McKinnon & S. Craig, “Goldman Is Bruised, Defiant in Senate,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471204575209822231959684.html)

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Stamp of Approval

Posted by & filed under Motivation.

Even as a hobby, stamp collecting is not at the forefront of public awareness. Stamp collecting has been around for nearly two centuries and is big business for some, but interest is declining. Yet for 2,000 of the world’s top collectors, stamps are an obsession.

QUESTIONS:

  1. What need level(s) is/are satisfied for stamp collectors such as Maurice Hadida?
  2. As an avocation, what aspects of Acquired Needs Theory explain the motivation of a top-level stamp collector?
  3. Using Expectancy Theory, explain why the motivation to win the world stamp-collecting championship would be low for a new collector.
  4. How might Goal-Setting Theory help a new collector achieve competitive status at the international level? Using Management Smarts 13.1, identify relevant goals for reaching that status.

SOURCE: M. Colchester, “As Stamps Lose Hold as a Hobby, These Philatelists Push the Envelope,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703494404575081703712186376.html)

The Price Is Right

Posted by & filed under Individual Behavior.

Ohio University wide receiver Taylor Price never made much of a name for himself in high school or college football. That is, until he was invited to play in the Senior Bowl and participate in the recent NFL combine in Indianapolis. Against better known players from football-rich schools, Taylor set about showcasing his talent with a quiet determination. His confidence was rewarded and Taylor’s stock rose on the NFL draft charts. Taylor was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round as the 90th overall selection.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Discuss how playing wide receiver for a non-passing high school program and playing at a mid-major school like Ohio University might influence the perceptions of Taylor Price as a legitimate NFL prospect.
  2. Consider all the personality dimensions/traits outlined in the text. Which ones define Taylor Price as an individual? Identify any traits that help or hinder him as a football player.
  3. How would you describe Price’s attitudes toward football, his experiences in high school and college, and his chances of success at the professional level?
  4. In what way, if any, do emotions play a role in Price’s success as a football player?

SOURCE: K. Gordon, “Late Riser: Taylor Price of Hilliard Has Moved Up the NFL Draft Charts,” Columbus Dispatch (Retrievable online at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/04/19/late-riser.html)

Outgrowing the iPhone

Posted by & filed under Planning.

The wireless phone market is nearing saturation and the number of new subscribers has been dropping for two years. Service providers are faced with declining revenues and the reality that they must look for other revenue streams. AT&T holds a strong position due to exclusive rights to provide services for the iPhone, but this is not guaranteed indefinitely. The communication giant is looking to demand for Web services on the go, connected devices, and emerging technologies in its quest to retain the #2 position in the market.

QUESTIONS:

  1. In a general sense, discuss why planning is necessary as “AT&T looks beyond the iPhone.” It might help to think historically about AT&T (i.e., where they have been, where they are now, and where they might want to go).
  2. What type of planning is involved at AT&T?
  3. What would drive AT&T to begin this planning process? Discuss the role of planning tools in that regard. How should these tools factor into future planning?

SOURCE: N. Sheth, “AT&T Looks Beyond the iPhone for Growth,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704133804575197723800822504.html)

The Benefits of Working

Posted by & filed under Human Resource Management.

A comprehensive study conducted by researchers at Harvard University and McGill University shows the United States trailing other economically competitive nations in terms of benefits guaranteed to workers. These benefits have implications in terms of productivity, leave, and the cost of doing business.

QUESTIONS:

  1. From the standpoint of general recruiting, what advantages do paid sick leave and other benefits offer employers?
  2. Consider the argument advocates use for paid family leave. Are there potential legal risks from not guaranteeing maternal leave or leave for family care?
  3. Work-life balance is an important dimension of maintaining a quality workforce. Discuss the implications of providing or not providing benefits in terms of worker productivity.
  4. Re-read the short section on fringe benefits in your text. Discuss some of the reasons employers, particularly small companies, might be reluctant to provide the benefits mentioned in the article.
  5. In terms of strategic human resource management, why might companies want to consider providing these benefits even if not legally required to do so?

SOURCE: Anonymous, “U.S. Lags in Paid Sick Days, Work Benefits, Study Says,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2009-11-17-benefits_N.htm)