MG 264 Module 4 Assignment

1. Discuss two pros and cons of keeping pay information secret. What can companies do to overcome the cons?

2. Why is it important for employers to make work interesting for their employees? What are some of the techniques to make work interesting?

3. Describe in detail the directive and nondirective counseling approaches. Which approach is more effective? Explain.

4. Identify and describe both positive and negative aspects of conflict.

5. Conflict is an inevitable aspect of organizational life. Conflict can exist between individuals, among the members of a group, team, or department, between different groups, teams, and departments, and even between organizations. Effective supervisors develop high levels of skill at conflict management, understanding which techniques are effective and ineffective. They learn to use their power to influence the resolution of the various types of conflict.

Read each description and identify which conflict management style is involved.

Compromising; Avoiding; Forcing; Resolving

___ Kathy wants Ken to reduce the price of a shipment and deliver it in one week. Ken would like the full price and needs more production time. Ken agrees to lower his price and Kathy agrees to postpone the delivery date.

___ Ace asks Betts to work with him all weekend to finish the project. Betts wants the weekend off. They agree that both will work Saturday, Ace will work Sunday, and Betts will work late Monday if needed to finish.

___ Hannah and Jann refuse to admit there is any conflict between them even though they refuse to speak to each other.

___ Employees have been resigning in high numbers from Eriks department. When asked if he needs help by his manager, he claims there isnt any problem and is shocked his manager thinks there is.

___ Several of Delias employees want to take off the upcoming holiday week, which is the busiest week of the year, and no one is willing to change their plans. With limited staff coverage, Delia decides that no one can take off during the holiday week.

___ Kevin and Kenji each wants his management to be the standard in the shop. They manage different shifts and keep trying to get the other one in trouble with the boss through increasingly severe rounds of sabotage.

___ Sci Inc. wants to acquire Bet Co. but must convince its top management. Sci Inc. points out the benefits to each company. Sci Inc. will gain Bet Co.s innovation and Bet Co. will gain access to Sci Inc.s large market.

___ Jack, finance manager, and Frances, new analyst, arent sure she will fit in the department until Jack says he needs someone with statistical skills for a fast track position. This is just want Frances has and wants!