Graded Homework

grand canyon mgt240
Week 1 Discussion november 2014

dq 1

Discuss the differences between the traditional management pyramid
and the upside down pyramid. What managerial skills and competencies do you
expect to be emphasized in the upside down pyramid? Explain your answer.

dq 2

Based on what you have learned about the four functions of
management and how they are interrelated, share a real world example of where
you have seen these functions in action either successfully or unsuccessfully.

dq 3

How well do you think your organization performs its key goals of
providing the goods or services that your customers want or need the most?

grand canyon mgt240
Week 2 Discussion november 2014

dq1

Using examples, show how the “deficit” and “progression”
principles operate in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory within an
organizational setting.

dq 2

Why is the external environment important in the open systems view
of organizations?

dq 3

Select any three management theories (from different approaches).
What is the significance of those theories to modern day management practice?

grand canyon mgt240
Week 3 Discussion DQ 1,dq 2 & dq 3
november 2014

dq 1

Using examples from your experience, discuss the importance of
planning to the practice of management.

dq 2

What is the importance of an organization’s mission, values, and
objectives to planning as a function of management?

dq 3

Explain the concept of management by objectives and explain how it
is used in organizations.

grand canyon mgt240
Week 4 Discussion DQ 1,dq 2 & dq 3
november 2014

dq 1

What role does organizing play as a function of management?
Explain how the flat organizational structure differs from other types of
formal organizational structures.

dq 2

How is the choice of an organization’s structure related to the
environment in which it operates?

dq 3

Think of your organization and its resources. Do the managers
utilize organizational resources effectively? Which resources contribute most
to the organization’s performance?

grand canyon mgt240
Week 5 Discussion DQ 1,dq 2 & dq 3
november 2014

dq 1

It has long been a dictum of management theory that leaders must
adapt their behavior to fit the specifics of a situation. Evaluate whether transformational
leadership is appropriate for all occasions. In what situations might it not be
effective?

dq 2

Using an organization with which you are familiar, identify ways
through which feedforward and feedback controls can be used to assure a high
quality final outcome.

dq3

Describe the key sources of power and explain how each power base
can be turned into influence.

grand canyon mgt240
Week 6 Discussion DQ 1,dq 2 & dq 3
november 2014

dq 1

What is the importance of communication to the four functions of
management? What are the different barriers to communication and how can they
be overcome? (Hint: Use both your textbook and the GCU lecture).

dq 2

Compare and contrast one content and one process theory of
motivation. In your opinion, why would two people with similar abilities have
very different levels of performance? If you were the manager, what would you
do and why?

dq 3

Identify and explain the alternative work arrangements that are
available for improving work-life balance.

grand canyon mgt240
Week 7 Discussion DQ 1,dq 2 & dq 3
november 2014

dq 1

Based upon the assigned readings (Drucker’s “The Coming of
the New Organization” and Zahra’s “The Changing Rules of Global
Competitiveness in the 21st Century”), identify at least four changes (two
from each article) that you think have been the most significant cause of change
to the way that your organization operates. In what ways do you think managers’
jobs have changed in your organization?

dq 2

For your organization, or one with which you are familiar,
identify the factors that operate in its general and specific environments. Why
is it important for managers to understand the factors that affect their
organization?

dq 3

Using an organization with which you are familiar, identify its
core culture and the elements of its observable culture. What do you think
needs to be changed to align your culture to the elements in the environment?

grand canyon mgt240 Week 2 Management at One Smooth Stone
assignment november 2014

For the Topic 1 and Topic 2 assignments, you will compose a
two-part analysis of management at One Smooth Stone. Begin by viewing the One
Smooth Stone video available at:

• http://lc.gcumedia.com/zwebassets/courseMaterialPages/mgt240_organizational-behavior-video-v1.1.php

You can gain additional insight on the company by viewing the
company’s promo video and website at the following links:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itVZIRZROSY
• http://www.onesmoothstone.com/giving_back.html

Compose an analysis (750-1,000 words total for parts 1 and 2) that
addresses the questions below. Part 1 should be written by the end of Topic 1.
You will write Part 2 in Topic 2 and combine Parts 1 and 2 into one essay to be
submitted by the end of Topic 2.

Part 1 (to be written during Topic 1):

After watching the One Smooth Stone video and
reviewing the company’s website, address the following questions:

1. How
   do Mark Ledogar and Gary Vik exemplify the definition of management?
2. Which
   of Mintzberg’s managerial roles do Ledogar and Vik display in the video?
3. Which
   of Katz’s management skills are evident in this video?
4. In
   what way is One Smooth Stone an open system? Explain your answer.

Part 2 (to be written during Topic 2)

Combine your answers written in Topic 1 with your responses to the
following:

Show how One Smooth Stone demonstrates/applies any three
historical management theories. In your response, for each of the three management
theories selected, be sure to address each of the following
management approaches: classical, behavioral, and modern management. (Modern
management approaches include the quantitative, systems, contingency,
quality-management, or learning organization viewpoints).

Conclude the essay by reflecting on your organization and
addressing the following:

1. How
   does management in your organization compare to management at One Smooth
   Stone?
2. What
   two management theories are currently being applied in your organization
   and do you think they are the most effective choices? Why or why not?

Cite two academic references in your analysis. Academic references
include the textbook, the additional readings in the course, or any article
from the GCU Library. You may use information found online but online
encyclopedias (e.g., Wikipedia) and blogs do not count as academic references.

Do not exceed the word limit. For full credit, make sure that your
Turnitin Similarity Index does not exceed 15%.

Prepare this assignment according to APA guidelines located in the
Student Success Center.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please
refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

grand canyon mgt240 Week 5 CLC: An Analysis of General
Motors assignment november 2014

This is a CLC assignment.

Review the information concerning GM’s handling of a safety issue
and recall included in the “GM Ignition Switch Recall.”

Write a 1,250-1,500-word essay that addresses the following:

1. What
   deficiencies in the four functions of management led to the faulty
   ignition switch problem and GM recalls?
2. Describe
   the organizational structure of GM at the time of the recall and discuss
   whether it has changed. Do you think GM’s structure is the most effective
   structure for the organization?
3. Which
   organizational design type, mechanistic or organic, existed at the time of
   the recalls? Do you think that design is the best fit for GM? If not, what
   is?
4. To
   help GM manage their operations, recommend one strategic, tactical, and
   operational plan that would help GM avoid any such problems in the future.
5. Describe
   the organizational culture of General Motors at the time of the recall.
   Was it the most effective culture? Has it changed? If so, has it changed
   for the better? Present supporting evidence.
6. Explain
   how GM went wrong in employing the four steps of the control process prior
   to recalls. What changes should they make to this process moving forward?
7. Suggest
   principles GM should adopt to make them a servant leader in the automotive
   industry.

Cite four academic references in your analysis. Academic
references include the textbook, the readings, or any article from the GCU
Library. You may use information found online but online encyclopedias (e.g.,
Wikipedia) and blogs do not count as academic references.

Do not exceed the word limit. For full credit, make sure that your
Turnitin Similarity Index does not exceed 15%.

Prepare this assignment according to APA guidelines located in the
Student Success Center.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please
refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

grand canyon mgt240 Week 5 Peer Evaluation Form assignment november 2014

Complete “MGT-240 Peer Evaluation Form.” Grades
will be prorated based on the evaluation.

MGT-240:Peer Evaluation

Complete this peer evaluation for each member of your team,
including yourself. The average score from these evaluations will be used in
determining your final grade for the assignment.

Rate each team member on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the
highest. Use the rubric on the second page to determine the score for each team
member. Include comments explaining why you gave your teammate this score.

Your peer evaluations will be kept strictly confidential.
Your grade for the evaluation will be posted in the gradebook as an assignment,
but individual ratings will not be shared.

Group member: List names	Rating: 1 – 100	Comments: Must be completed for each team member.
1. Your name
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

CATEGORY	100-93 pts (A) Excellent	92-83 pts (B) Good	82-73 pts (C) Improving	72-0 pts (D) Needs Improvement
Contributions	Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. Contributes a lot of effort.	Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. A good group member who tries hard.	Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required.	Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. May refuse to participate.
Quality of Work	No correction or revision necessary, work is complete and of high quality.	Revisions and corrections may not be necessary and work is adequate for what is needed.	Some revision and/or correction is needed or work is not always completed in the manner required.	Work provided constantly needs correction and revision and is often incomplete.
Time-management	All work is turned in on time or even earlier than necessary, the team member is reliable for posting/submitting whole pieces that the group has put together and responsibilities never need to be reassigned to compensate.	Work is, for the most part, on time and, on a few occasions, early. For the most part, the team member is reliable for submitting completed team documents. Group member does not need to be compensated for.	Occasionally the work is on time. Rarely is it early. On one or two occasions did the rest of the group need to compensate for missing or late work.	Occasionally the work is on time and is never early. Team member cannot be relied on to turn in team documents and other members sometimes must compensate for tardiness of work assigned.
Attitude	Always has a positive attitude about the project and works well with the other team members. Any criticism given is constructive.	Usually has a positive attitude toward the work and group, but conflict is usually minor. Any criticism is often constructive.	Attitude is hit or miss toward project and group, but member is for the most part tolerable. Criticism given is, on occasion, constructive, if given at all.	Rarely has a positive attitude; participation, quality of work, and time management is severely affected by such; and team member has difficulties and conflict with group.

After the total for each student has been added together, and
divided by the number of team members rating him/her; calculate the following:
___/100 x 1% =____ out of 10 points for this evaluation.

grand canyon mgt240 Week 6 Motivation and Challenges of
Management Presentation november 2014

Go toFortune’sbest
companies to work for at:http://fortune.com/best-companies/sas-2/

Select one company to conduct research on and create a
presentation (12-15 slides) to present your findings on the following:

1. Explain
   how the organization motivates, or builds and maintains the morale, of any
   three of its stakeholders using one content, one process, and one reinforcement
   theory.
2. Describe
   how the organization has been both effective and efficient in its
   communication with those three stakeholders. Support with evidence from a
   source.
3. Identify
   and discuss any three of the major 21^st-century challenges the
   organization faces.
4. Analyze
   the efforts of the organization to manage or overcome each of these
   challenges. Support with evidence from a source.
5. What
   would you do differently in managing those efforts? Integrate a
   faith/worldview-based component into the presentation in this section.
   Include a clear explanation of how that worldview relates to or supports
   the group’s management philosophy.

Select one academic article from your assigned reading materials
this week to analyze and integrate into the presentation. You must incorporate
a minimum of two other academic sources as evidence as well. The presentation
must demonstrate a comprehensive integration of both management theory and
practice.

The presentation slides will be evaluated based on the following
criteria:

1. Usefulness
   in enhancing and reinforcing learning
2. Visual
   appeal
3. Correct
   integration and citation of required academic references

Slides must be accompanied by the notes you would use if you were
actually going to deliver the presentation.

While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment,
solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should
be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA
Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using
the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the
rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment
criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.

grand canyon mgt240 Week 7 Interview and Reflection
Essay assignment november 2014

For this assignment, you will write a reflection on what you
learned about management in the course. As part of the assignment, you will
conduct an interview with a manager of a local business to get a first-hand
perspective on the challenges of management and the techniques others have
found successful for effective leadership, motivation, and communication.

Select a manager of a local business to interview and contact the
person to set up an appointment. You may conduct your interview in person or
via phone.

Prepare a list of at least 5-7 questions for your interview. Your
questions should focus on how the manager executes the four functions of
management functions as well as the challenges related to motivating and
communicating with employees and/or clients in the business environment. In
particular, try to discover how the demands of technology-mediated
communication, such as communicating via social media channels, impact
manager-employee relationships.

Remember that managers have many commitments so try to schedule
your interview well in advance of the assignment’s due date. You should present
the attached consent letter to the person you intend to interview.

After you complete the interview, write a 1,000-1,250-word
reflection on what you learned in the interview and this course. Address the
following in your response:

1. What
   are the most valuable things you learned about the four functions of
   management, in a practical sense, as well as motivation and communication
   techniques?
2. Identify
   some of the significant challenges you believe you might face as a
   manager.
3. Discuss
   your own personal strengths and weaknesses as a manager. What do you think
   you need to work on to improve your own capabilities?
4. How
   might you apply what you learned in your interview and this course to be a
   more effective manager?

In an appendix at the end of the essay, provide an interview
summary that includes the following information:

1. The
   name of the person you interviewed and number of years he/she has been a
   manager
2. The
   name of the company at which he/she is currently employed
3. How
   long the person has been a manager at the current company and what their
   managerial level is
4. Date
   of the interview and whether it took place in person or via phone or other
   type of medium
5. Contact
   information for the person you interviewed
6. The
   list of your interview questions and responses provided
7. Signed
   consent letter

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in
the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not
required.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using
the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the
rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment
criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to
the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be
submitted to Turnitin.

[Insert Date]

Dear [Insert Participant’s Name]:

Thank you for agreeing to
participate in an interview. This interview is part of an assignment for an
Introduction to Management Course at Grand Canyon University.The assignment
asks students to garner first-hand perspective on the challenges of management
and reflect on what they have learned in the course.

Information collected during the
interview will be used solely to complete the assignment and may be shared with
class members and the instructor. Attached you will find sample questions that
demonstrate the types of questions you may be asked during the interview. If
you have additional questions or concerns, or you would like to withdraw your
consent to participate in the interview process, you can contact [insert
your instructor’s name and email address].

Again, thank you for taking the time
to participate in an interview and contribute to the educational experience of
business students at Grand Canyon University.

Sincerely,

[Type or sign your name]

Sample Interview Questions

1) What communication strategies
have you found most useful for communicating with your employees?

2) What barriers to effective
communication have you experienced?What have you done to overcome them?

3) What strategies have you found
effective for motivating your employees?

4) What leadership qualities do you
think are most important for managers?

5) How do you manage difficult
employees or employee conflict?

6) What do you think is most
important for promoting and maintaining effective manager-employee
relationships?

7) What advice would you offer a
novice looking to get into the field of management?

8) What should students of
management be doing in college to prepare themselves for the field?