Late-Night Bickering

Posted by & filed under Conflict, Negotiation.

Conan O’Brien’s reign as host of The Tonight Show ends on January 22. However, the parting with NBC has been anything but amicable. NBC first announced that it was moving O’Brien’s show past midnight to bring Jay Leno back to late-night television. When O’Brien balked, negotiations for an exit spurred a furry of bad-mouthing. In the end, NBC will pay heavily to get O’Brien to leave and leave quietly – for a while.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Describe the conflict between NBC and Conan O’Brien. What form does it take? While the conflict seemingly is dysfunctional, can you argue that it is functional (even for NBC)?
  2. Which conflict management style best characterizes the way NBC handled Conan O’Brien. (Note: you could argue for one style initially that eventually gave way to a different style)
  3. What were NBC’s goals in negotiating with O’Brien? Was the negotiation distributive or integrative? Was it effective? What, if any, negotiation rules were violated?

SOURCE: L. A. E. Schuker & S. Schechner, “Conan O’Brien Seals Deal to Exit NBC,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703699204575016514111492610.html?mod=loomia&loomia_si=t0:a16:g12:r1:c0.593109:b29955310&mg=com-wsj)

See also S. Ovide & L. A. E. Schuker, “Gag Order: Conan O’Brien Promises Not to Be Mean to His Old Bosses,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703699204575017450198490036.html?mod=WSJ-hpp-LEFTTopStories)

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Leaning Left

Posted by & filed under Individual Behavior.

Groundbreaking research by Neil Gross and Ethan Fosse finds that the academic profession has been typecast as “liberal.” As a result, this label influences the way people think about the profession and the choices individuals make about whether or not to join the Academy. While Gross and Fosse are quick to diminish claims that there is liberal bias in academics, they do note that control (over who does and does not “get in”) is one of the features given to professors in exchange for lower salaries. Still, the researchers claim that general public perception of the profession does more to determine who will gravitate toward those jobs than anything else.

QUESTIONS:

  1. In what ways is typecasting similar to stereotyping? How might typecasting affect the way colleagues perceive and interact with one another?
  2. Examine the Big Five personality dimensions. In general, how does each dimension relate to the academic profession? How might the expression of these dimensions support liberal philosophies and run counter to the conservative philosophies?
  3. Assume the research is accurate (i.e., there is a strong political orientation in academics). How would being conservative or being liberal influence an individual professor’s attitudes and job satisfaction? Would differences explain why liberals might be more committed to academic professions than conservatives?

SOURCE: P. Cohen, “Professor Is a Label That Leans to the Left,” New York Times (Retrievable online at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/arts/18liberal.html?scp=1&sq=liberal%20professors&st=cse)

Dueling the Red Dragon

Posted by & filed under Global Management.

Google is the latest in a growing list of companies reconsidering their business strategy in China. Following a cyber attack on more than two dozen other companies, Google announced it would no longer filter internet searches and might pull out of China entirely. Most economists and business advisers believe it is impractical to ignore China. However, a few companies feel the costs of doing business there are just not worth it.

QUESTIONS:

  1. What are the global business reasons that cause China to be so attractive?
  2. Review what you learned in Chapter 4 about cultural issues in ethics. It is relatively easy to understand why companies like Levi Strauss and Time Warner pull out of China. Why would human rights issues cause Google to do the same thing?
  3. Google’s decision to stop filtering internet searches in China reflects what global management attitude? Do you believe this shift in thinking is warranted?

SOURCES: S. Mufson & P. Whoriskey, “Google Incident Illustrates Dilemma for Foreign Companies in China,” Washington Post (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011402482.html?sid=ST2010011300360)

See also E. Nakashima & A. E. Cha, “Tensions Between Google and China Complicate U.S. Diplomacy,” Washington Post (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011404077.html?nav=hcmoduletmv)

Disaster Decisions

Posted by & filed under Decision Making.

In the aftermath of the worst earthquake in Haiti in two centuries, relief agencies are desperately racing against time to assist those that need help. However, veteran relief workers characterize the situation as “especially complicated” because all key influence factors have been affected by the disaster. There is no working government. There are no communications. The main ocean port is damaged and unusable. The airport has limited capacity and no fuel. Relief workers and supplies are queuing up with no way to make them available to the people that need them most. This case is rich with opportunities for discussing a number of management topics, but the focus here will be on decision making. Be advised that images and video associated with the stories are graphic.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Consider the scope and magnitude of the problems in Haiti. What type of thinking is needed to solve these problems? While one form stands out, can you argue for all three types (i.e., systematic, intuitive, multidimensional)?
  2. Describe the structured and unstructured aspects of this problem. What type of managerial decision should be made here? Does the fact that the problems stem from an earthquake, of which there have been many in the past, make decision making easier?
  3. Given what has been said about the general state of Haiti, what kind of decision environment exists? Beyond short-term relief efforts, how will this environment affect the Haiti government as it tries to rebuild the country?

SOURCES: N. King, “Aid Efforts Face Obstacles in Quake-Ravaged Capital,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704363504575003351571629776.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories)

See also C. Forelle & J. de Cordoba, “Haitian Rescue Stymied Amid Chaos,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704281204575003482938279218.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories)

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Why Management Matters

Posted by & filed under Management.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released a summary report of discrimination claims in 2009. Claims increased in three key areas monitored by the Commission. This article is a good starter for introducing the importance of effective management in any organization.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Unfortunately, some employers equate “disabled” with “unable.” Read the section on talent and discuss why disabled workers are worthy of consideration, particularly in our economy.
  2. If diversity is a “business imperative,” why are discrimination claims related to diversity still increasing? If the statement by Professor Thomas is true, what should top management do to make sure diversity is truly valued?
  3. Consider the section on ethics. What are some ways that organizations can reduce the chances that employees will engage in discriminatory practices?

SOURCE: Associated Press, “Job Bias Claims Based on Disability, Origin, Religion Rise,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2010-01-06-job-bias-claims_N.htm)

A Tale of Two Leaders

Posted by & filed under Leadership.

As the new year dawns, two leaders – President Barack Obama and USC Football Coach Pete Carroll – are characterized as failing to fully meet their objectives. President Obama is being criticized for security breaches in the wake of an attempted airline bombing. His handling of the economy and the health-care bill are also being questioned. USC football is coming off a mediocre season (by school standards). Pete Carroll’s team won the Emerald Bowl and finished 9-4, the worst record since Carroll’s first year as head coach. While Obama’s popularity seems to be fading, Carroll’s is on the rise. The Seattle Seahawks courted, then hired, the coach to take over a professional program that languished the past two seasons. Examine the two leaders and draw some conclusions about the difference in reactions.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Based on the information provided in the articles, identify each leader’s basic leadership style (note: the limited information provided in the articles is really not sufficient to make this determination). Do stylistic differences matter in terms of how others respond to what the leader is doing?
  2. Consider Figure 16.6. What does the figure suggest about the relationship between leadership style and leader effectiveness? What other factors influence a leader’s effectiveness? Identify specific factors that might relate to both Barack Obama and Pete Carroll.
  3. How do the special qualities of transformational leadership relate to President Obama and Coach Carroll and how they are currently being perceived as leaders?

SOURCES: J. Weisman, “Report Raises Pressure on Obama to Focus on Jobs,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126298709380022037.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTWhatsNews)

See also D. Everson & R. Albergotti, “USC Coach Pete Carroll Close to Deal to Join Seattle Seahawks,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703481004574647232293623844.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLEFifthNews)

The Fed’s Failure

Posted by & filed under Decision Making.

In what is now widely and infamously known for the near collapse of the financial sector in the United States, the Federal Reserve ignored warning signs associated with massive sub-prime lending for nearly two years. In the wake of this disaster, the Fed had to make decisions about what banks to save with an infusion of cash, what banks to save by negotiating sales to other banks, and what banks would fail. Despite these failures, Fed management contends the agency is the best choice for continued oversight of the nation’s banking system (with a little tweaking). Some lawmakers are not so sure.

QUESTIONS:

  1. There can be no question that the Federal Reserve’s actions (or lack thereof) are consistent with behavioral decision making. What cognitive limitations kept the Fed from making good decisions? Consider the Fed’s response to the crisis. Is there any evidence of satisficing?
  2. Which of the three heuristics most likely influenced Fed decision making? Why?
  3. Escalation of commitment is evident at several points in this story. Pick one and identify the factors that led to escalating commitment. What would you do to ensure no further escalation occurs?

SOURCE: B. Appelbaum & D. Cho, “Fed’s Approach to Regulation Left Banks Exposed to Crisis,” Washington Post (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/20/AR2009122002580.html?hpid=topnews)

Build A Better Hamburger

Posted by & filed under Entrepreneurship.

Payam Tabibian has been on the run all his life. After fleeing Iran with his family more than 25 years ago, the entrepreneur has been moving from one small business to the next throughout his business career. Tabibian worked in fast-food chains throughout school and is now developing his own hamburger chain using knowledge gained from a variety of restaurant experiences.

QUESTIONS:

  1. In what ways does Payam Tabibian fit the profile of an entrepreneur? What personality traits and characteristics does he possess that are consistent with those of successful entrepreneurs?
  2. Do Tabibian’s ventures represent necessity-based entrepreneurship? Why or why not?
  3. The article describes Tabibian’s frequent entry into and exit from successful small businesses. Looking at the life cycles of entrepreneurial firms, what explanation(s) could you offer for this pattern of behavior?

SOURCE: T. Heath, “Burgers to Go, With Ambition on the Side,” Washington Post (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/06/AR2009120602107.html)

Deep Six Executive Bonuses

Posted by & filed under Management.

Noted management guru Henry Mintzberg critiques the current system of bonuses for top-level managers. His contention is that bonuses do not accomplish what they exist to do – ensure sustained health of a company. Instead, Mintzberg argues that bonuses encourage CEOs to gamble away long-term performance for short-term gains that drive up compensation. His solution? Do away with bonuses completely. Never pay them. And use insistence on bonuses as a mechanism to screen out undesirable CEO candidates.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Are Mintzberg’s thoughts consistent with what the text says about organizational performance? Why do analysts rely so heavily on stock price and other financial measures to assess firm performance?
  2. What are the responsibilities of top managers? What is accountability? Are bonuses the best way to ensure CEO accountability?
  3. Now study the upside-down pyramid. What level of the organization is most directly responsible for company performance? What is the CEO’s role?

SOURCE: H. Mintzberg, “No More Executive Bonuses!” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703294004574511223494536570.html)

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Brooks & Dunn Are (Done)

Posted by & filed under Teams.

Hailed as country music’s top recording duo for nearly two decades, Brooks & Dunn are ending their collaboration after a 2010 farewell tour. Coming together was the brainchild of Arista accountant Tim DuBois. The singers’ styles and personalities are quite different and, ultimately, these differences helped them know when it was time to end the partnership. The two leave on good terms and some industry experts predict that they will reunite in years to come.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Look at the definitions for team and teamwork. In what ways do Brooks & Dunn meet these definitions?
  2. Consider how the duo of Brooks & Dunn moved through the stages of team development. Why does the adjourning stage matter and how are Brooks & Dunn handling this?
  3. How has cohesiveness influenced the team’s success and impending dissolution?

SOURCE: B. Mansfield, “You Can Call Brooks & Dunn Done & Done After Final Tour,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2009-12-04-brooksdunn04_CV_N.htm)