Questions and Answers of Management And Organisational Behaviour

You can tell a lot about a manager from the way they organise their diary. Time, more than capital or physical assets, is said to be our most precious resource. But how do different executives
Employee attitude surveys, brown bag lunches, focus groups, informal chats: managers try quite hard to find out what their staff are thinking. But the results are mixed at best. What are your staff
Working in small self-selected groups, individually answer the following questions honestly. If necessary think how you would be likely to behave in the given situation. Then compare and discuss
The onset of the financial crisis which hit the banking and finance sector in 2007 has had dramatic repercussions in most areas of working life. The inquest has thrown up many questions about the
‘It is a very poor manager who relies on the exercise of formal power, position within the organisation structure, and rules and procedures. A high level of control is self-defeating as it is
‘The idea of empowerment and helping people accept a feeling of ownership and personal responsibility for their actions and to exercise a high level of self-control is all right in theory. But as I
Discuss with supporting examples the significance of the psychological contract. List (i) The personal expectations you have of your own organisation and (ii) What you believe to be the
‘It is often claimed that what leading writers say is an important part of the study of management and organisational behaviour. Others say that all these different ideas are little more than
Assess critically the relevance of scientific management to present-day organisations. Illustrate your answer with reference to your own organisation.
Reports of the death of middle management were not merely exaggerated, they were wrong. Yes, organisations have de-layered. Yes, the current ‘white-collar’ recession is having a big impact on the
‘All organisations have their unique culture and working environment and no two organisations are the same. Managers are concerned only with what takes place in their own organisation so
‘Management models are a crude representation of our organisational existence that only serve to dull our awareness of the richness of our environment and prevent us from finding new ways of
Explain Reddin’s 3-D model of managerial behaviour. Give a practical example of situations that demonstrate (i) A more effective style, and (ii) A less effective style.
Debate critically what you believe are the essential features relating to the effective management of time.
‘The human resource department has no executive authority, it is nonproductive and provides only a support and administrative function to other departments and managers. The title of “human
Discuss fully the range and scope of HRM activities within your organisation. Critically analyse the extent to which you believe that ‘human resource management’ differs from ‘human capital
Is the size of an employee’s waistline any business of the employer? The notion of companies concerning themselves with their employees’ lifestyles once seemed strange. But in the light of
Over fifty years ago, Peter Drucker first raised the question: ‘Is personnel management bankrupt?’ And he answered: ‘No, it is not bankrupt. Its liabilities do not exceed its assets. But it is
Working in a team of three people, you are required to participate in the following role-play exercise.Role play A: Manager/KirstyYou are a line manager and Steve is an administrator who reports to
‘HRM is an integral part of any managerial activity. Line managers have the right and the duty to be concerned with the effective operation of their own department, including the well-being of
The Human Resource Management (personnel) profession has evolved to encompass a wide range of activities that surround the management of people in organisations. Its relationship with the subject of
‘Every director an HR director, every line manager a HR manager.’ In the light of this statement, discuss what you see as the role and functions of the human resource department in a large
‘The concept of e-learning may have popular appeal, especially as it is associated with modern technology, but it arguably has only limited potential and is no more than flavour of the month. In
Explain fully what you understand by a strategic approach to HRM.
‘Formal annual performance reviews are a complete waste of time. If you learn anything new this only suggests that the continual monitoring of performance as part of the line manager’s day-to-day
How would you justify to a group of sceptical line managers a high level of financial provision for training? Explain the steps you would take in order to ensure the effective management of training.
‘The biggest problem with employee relations is that too much emphasis is placed on attempting to regulate the nature of jobs and work through increased legal requirements. Greater attention should
What are the potential benefits for both the individual and the organisation from a formal system of performance review?
‘Until HR professionals can produce hard and clear measures of their value to improved performance, it is perhaps no surprise that they are perceived as making only a marginal contribution to
Explain those factors that are likely to influence the nature and contents of an employment relations policy, and give specific examples from your own organisation. What is meant by the legal and
Discuss critically the extent to which line managers should be involved with the responsibility for employee relations. What arrangements exist in your organisation?
Comment critically on the accountability and measurement of the functioning of the HR department.
‘Corporate strategy may serve as a useful control system for senior management but has very little practical value for the day-to-day activities undertaken by members of the organisation, or as a
Discuss critically the purpose, nature and practical value of corporate strategy.
When a UK government department lost computer discs carrying the personal data of 25m people – members of 7m families in receipt of child benefit – in 2008, the incident was blamed on mistakes by
Examine closely arrangements for the division of work and linking together of activities in your own or some other organisation of your choice.a. Investigate and make notes on the variety of ways in
For an organisation with which you are familiar, you are required to:1. Review critically the relevance and effectiveness of its present strategy.2. Itemise the internal Strengths and Weaknesses of
‘In large-scale organisations, the goals and objectives of the organisation, management and the workforce are never likely to be fully compatible. Attempts at harmonisation are not worth the effort
The retail fashion industry is probably one of the most fast-moving and fickle businesses that can be imagined. The whole process of predicting next season’s colours, fabrics, styles and hemlines
Distinguish between objectives and policy. Identify examples of objectives and policy in your own organisation and comment on how effectively you believe they have been implemented.
Read through the questionnaire and tick the questions (if any) for which you answer ‘yes’ for (1) your organisation as a whole and (2) your team or unit within it.a. After completing the
‘Many organisational conflicts arise through element functions, such as human resource management, overstepping responsibilities and the failure to recognise that their primary purpose is to
What are the importance and objectives of organising? To what extent do you think there are different levels in the structure of an organisation?
How does structure relate to the overall effectiveness of an organisation? Discuss critically the continuing importance of the hierarchy.
‘The idea of a matrix structure may appeal to those critical of a so-called prescriptive approach to organisational structure. But in reality a matrix structure is an unnecessary complication, it
Explain the main factors to be considered in the design of organisation structure. Debate critically the value of ‘principles’ of organisation.
‘The trend towards more horizontal levels, teamwork, empowerment, flexible working and informal relationships has reduced significantly the need for, and importance of formal structures. What
Distinguish clearly between ‘span of control’ and ‘chain of command’. Discuss the practical implications for the structure and effective operation of a large organisation.
Prepare your own diagrams to help explain: (i) Line and staff organisation, and (ii) A matrix form of organisation structure. What are the reasons for adopting each of these forms of structure and
‘Most people seek certainty and clarity at work. Alternative patterns of structure and the changing nature of the work environment risk undermining established lines of authority and lead to
Visiting Boston last week, I came across a brilliant toyshop with a notice in its window about the importance of indie businesses. It argued that there is a passion and engagement within an
Explain what is meant by the contingency approach to organisation. How does the contingency approach differ from other approaches to organisation and management?
Undertake a detailed review of the extent to which flexible working arrangements have been introduced in a range of different organisations (for example by questioning your family, friends and
Drawing on the information given in Table 15.1, you are required to:1. Prepare a detailed comparison and analysis of ways in which your own organisation (or some other organisation well known to you)
‘The size of an organisation and its type of production system are clearly the two most important situational variables that ultimately determine the most appropriate structure of the organisation
The John Lewis Partnership is a visionary and successful way of doing business, boldly putting the happiness of Partners at the centre of everything it does. It’s the embodiment of an ideal, the
Given the speed of technological change, an increasing rate of innovation, and growing demands by a more highly educated work force, many scholars suggest that the classical view of organisations
Explain what is meant by ‘differentiation’ and ‘integration’ of the internal structure of an organisation. What are the implications of differentiation and integration, and what mechanisms
‘According to the contingency approach, different situational factors may have some relevance for certain types of organisations at some time given a particular set of circumstances, and these
Discuss the demand for increased flexibility in patterns of structure and work organisation, and give examples of flexible working arrangements in an organisation of your choice.
‘We are in an era of the active pursuit of career changes, and greater freedom and autonomy for the individual. This means an end of jobs for life and will have an adverse effect on the desire to
To what extent have you seen evidence of the ‘shamrock organisation’ in relation to the structure of your own or some other chosen organisation?
‘We trained very hard, but it seemed every time we were beginning to form up into teams we would be reorganised. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganising
Debate critically how the ‘realities’ of organisational behaviour influence organisation structure. Give your own examples.
Twitter, the microblogging service, which limits posts to 140 characters, has become a favourite of celebrities and digerati. Businesses worried about being left behind are experimenting with using
In self-selecting groups of three or four, each select an example of a job in your own organisation or some other organisation of your choice (you may find it easiest to use your own organisation, if
In an organisation with which you are familiar, you are required to:1. Detail fully an example of technical change that has taken place or is taking place, comparing the work processes involved, and
In 1998 the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) instigated an annual public lecture in memory of Alan Turing (1912–1954). Turing was one of the most
‘Nothing is to be gained by involving end-users in the adoption and introduction of technical change. They are not in a position to make any useful contribution and it is far simpler and quicker to
Discuss critically the contention that ‘decision-making with respect to technical change is an inherently political process’.
‘The controversial nature of control means that some writers prefer to use alternative terms such as monitoring or evaluating. But whatever term is used, the process of maintaining order is an
Give your own views on the controversial nature of management control. What do you see as the purposes of management control in work organisations?
The following questionnaire consists of managerial behaviours that promote empowerment. Think of any work experience you have had – even a short-term, vacation or part-time job. How frequently did
‘Some form of hierachical power and order is an essential feature of effective work performance, but the nature of modern organisations has noticeably diminished demands for management control over
In today’s climate of corporate scandal and recrimination, there is a tendency to look at business ethics in black or white terms. Not in Michel Anteby’s classroom. An assistant professor of
What do you see as the importance of organisational ideology or philosophy? Explain the extent to which there is a clear ideology or set of principles that govern the overall conduct of your
‘The most successful and enduring business organisations are also those that give the greatest attention to the well-being of their staff and to their broader social and ethical
‘The truth is that without EU intervention, government legislation and the threat of adverse press or television reports, the majority of business organisations would give little regard to their
Compare and contrast the shareholder-centred and stakeholder theories of social responsibilities for business.
‘The single, most important objective for the business organisation is profit maximisation combined with high monetary rewards for members of staff. This is the only realistic criterion by which
Discuss critically the extent to which you accept the concept of corporate social responsibilities.
‘The stakeholder view of how a business should act may sound attractive and make ethical sense but is too simplistic. The shareholder-centred view consistent with maximising owner wealth makes more
An important part of any manager’s, sales person’s or frontline staff’s role is to be an ambassador for the organisation. This means representing its values, its image and its style in a
Suggest how you would attempt to explain the concept of organisational culture. What factors might influence the development of culture?
The left-hand column lists 17 key elements of change readiness. Rate your organisation on each item. Give three points for high ranking (‘We’re good at this; I’m confident of our skills
The NHS Workforce Review Team (WRT) is a group of dedicated health-care workforce planners who provide objective modelling, analysis and evidence-based recommendations in order to enable
‘The proliferation of definitions and explanations of culture, its anthropological origins and lack of clarity undermines its value to our understanding of organisational behaviour. It is too
Discuss critically the importance of culture for effective organisational performance. Give practical examples from your own organisation.
‘Change is nothing new and a simple fact of life. Some people actively thrive on new challenges and constant change, while others prefer the comfort of the status quo and strongly resist any
What do you understand by organisational climate and what do you think are its main characteristic features? From your own organisation, give examples of features that have contributed to and/or
‘The biggest difficulty with change is the associated fear and uncertainty. If management maintains effective and continuous communications at all levels of the organisation before and during the
Explain the concept of employee commitment and suggest how it might actually be created. Give examples of factors that have contributed to your own strength of commitment in any work situation.
‘The socialisation of new members into an organisation’s culture and climate is no more than a management control system and manipulation of the individual. It is therefore unethical and should
You are required to imagine you are the managing director or chief executive of your organisation, and complete the following checklistUse the completed checklist and your own analysis to highlight
Why do individuals and organisations tend to resist change? To what extent do you believe such resistance can be effectively overcome?
‘According to a senior researcher at the Work Foundation, there is no incontrovertible evidence that links company well-being to increased organisational performance. So presumably attempting to
Summarise clearly what you believe are the main factors which affect organisational performance and effectiveness.
‘Organisations have no separate identity of their own and do not exist without their members. The whole nature of a reactive, hierarchical and structured organisation is contrary to the instinctive
Explain in your own words what is meant by, and the main characteristics of, the learning organisation. To what extent do you believe your own organisation is a successful learning organisation?
‘Effective organisational performance is about a shared vision, inspired leadership and the quality of its managers. Concepts such as total quality management or techniques such as business process

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