EXAM
The exam is designed to be completed in about two to three hours (assuming you are prepared ahead of time). The points reflect the weighting, so allocate your time accordingly. Be specific in your answers demonstrating an understanding of the material and how it interrelates. Vague answers not supported with course material will lead to poor grades.
Your answers must be typed and double spaced.
EXAM
Question 1 (60 points) Using the socialization model presented in Module 9, explain what actions the top management team would need to take to promote a change in their culture. Be sure to give specific examples. Also, explain what resisting forces they are likely to encounter and how these could be overcome. (Hint: A good answer will insightfully explain how Modules 9, 10, & 11 are interrelated and impact change.)
In order for the top management team to promote a change in their culture they need to define the core values of the company and really look in dept if that’s what the company wants or needs. An according to Chapter 2 defining core values can start by “paying attention todetail”, “doing it right the first time”, “delivering defect-free products”, and using “ open communications”. Some methods to achieve a goal of changing a culture are; a historical foundation ( a sense of history, communications, positive problem solving) An understanding of what is expected ( leadership, role models, norms, values) Being part of a group ( Reward systems, career management and job security, recruiting and staffing, training and development) Encourage interpersonal and intergroup relationship (member contact, participative decision making, intergroup coordination). One example of a good culture can be Southwest Airlines they have a strong culture their culture generates stability, identity, loyalty, and commitment. The closeness of the employees at Southwest is express by having fun and working hard. One of his founders Herb Kelleher shows his own commitment, he pitched in to help employees as he traveled around doing business. Another thing top management team can do is to encourage effective socialization by practicing social and technical skills training, provision of professional counseling, adaptive and flexible work assignments and sincere person-oriented managers. Also top managent can use their power to promote a change in culture good examples of using power for good things are Warren Buffet, Michael Dell Meg Whitman etc, and so many other successful individuals. They had strong visions to make their dreams and goals come true. Throughout their careers they acquired and used the power they gained to achieve it. And this power can be use for the effectiveness of the company.
Changing a culture can be difficult and is often met with resistance, for the top management team some of the obstacles they will face is core values are difficult to make but more difficult for employees to adapt to them, most of the time employees will be confused or irritated by drastical changes. And also sometimes training does not go as planned with some individuals wich can show lack of enthusiasm and disturb the learning of other employees. And also when it comes to power and is used in a selfish or destructive way it can damage and decrease the productivity of employees in an organization.
Question 2 (40 points) You are an employee who has a position where you regularly interact with the public. Your company expects you to smile and be pleasant; however, there are times when you are expected to be stern when dealing with problem clients. Why is it probable that you will experience distress in your job? What are some of the likely physiological, emotional and behavioral aspects of stress you’ll likely exhibit, which coping mechanism would you use and why, and how will the strategy reduce your stress outcomes? (Hint: A good answer will insightfully explain the connections between emotions, stress and the consequences).
Every human deals with stress differently and sometimes people get frustrated by situations leading to distress. In this particular scenario if I get to a point where I’m stress and I might fail meeting my job activities I will ask to give me a second if the person lets me and breathe for a minute go back to the situation and fix it. Some of the emotional aspects of stress I will be dealing with are anxiety and anger if I feel someone is being mean to me. I would use problem- focus coping because I will have control of the situation in a way that I’m able to control my emotions and solve the problem that I’m facing. My strategy of having some time for myself and breathe will allowed me to clear my mind and being able to control my emotions in a better way.
