Draw on your knowledge on organisations, work, organisational behaviour answer the following questions based on the case: Virtually every aspect of life is affected at least indirectly by some type of organisation. We look to organisations to feed, clothe, house, educate and employ us. Organisations tend to our needs of entertainment, insurance, legal assistance and health care. Many of these organisations seeks profit, others do not. Some are extremely large; others are tiny family-run operations such as the Frimpong-Kwakye family next door. Despite this mind-boggling diversity, modern organisations have one basic thing in common. They are the primary context of organisational behaviour. In the manner of speaking, organisations are the chessboard upon which the game of organisational behaviour is played. For example, Mrs Rebecca Mensah, a CEO of a clothing company explains that my house is run like a business. My staff (gardener and housekeeper), the children and my husband have key performance indicators and every Saturday, we get together with the flipchart and mark how the week has been. That sounds hard but it keeps everyone focused. Children love routine and this house is run like clock-work. I manage everything, but my kids and my husband are not allowed to mark me. Every night when I come in, it takes me about 17 minutes to go round the house and make sure everything is where it should be, for example, all white shirts together, and all black shirts together. The kids come home, hang their uniform, put on their pyjamas, get their homework, and when they have done their tasks, they are to do what they want and have their friends round. It sounds regimented, but it is a happy home. Page 3 of 6 Then there is work and career. For example, let us look at this story The Other: A woman renewing her drivers licence was asked by the woman at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to state her occupation or the work she is involved in. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. What I mean is, explained the woman at the (DVLA), do you have a job or are you just.?. Of course, I work, and have a job, snapped the woman. I am a Mum. We dont list Mum as an occupation. Housewife covers it. Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation. The secretary was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed a high sounding title like official interrogator or city registrar. What is your occupation? she probed. What made me say it I do not know!. The words simply popped out. I am a research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations. The secretary paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid-air and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasising the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. Might I ask, said the clerk with new interest, just what you do in your field? Coolly without a trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, I have a continuing programme of research (what mother doesnt), in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said and out). My job is one of the most demanding in the humanities and the social science (any mother care to disagree?), and I often work 14 hours a day. But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money. There was an increasing note of respect in the clerks voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (a 6-month old baby) in the child development programme testing a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind that just another mum. Motherhood! What a glorious work and career! Especially when there is a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations? And great-grandmothers Executives Senior Research Associates? And aunts Associate Research Assistants? I think so, but what do you think? (Adapted from Buchanan and Huczynski, 2010). Answer the following questions based on the case: 1. Describe ways in which the case The Mensahs qualifies as an organisation in terms of the five characteristics that differentiate organisations from other social entities. 2. Describe ways in which the case The Other qualifies as work in terms of its five characteristics? 3. Based on the information in the case, do you agree with Mrs. Rebecca Mensah, that a family is an organisation? Why or Why not?. 4. Based on the information in the case, do you think the woman is right to describe her work of a home-maker/housewife as a research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations?. Why or Why not?. 5. Write a report (which will require you to analyse and evaluate information, synthesise ideas and creatively demonstrate your understanding of the topics) of your assignment (approximately 400-word report).