Week 1 DQ1

Four Functions

Discuss the most important decisions that must be made in (a) planning, (b) organizing, (c) leading, and (d) controlling to allow a manager to utilize organizational resources effectively and build a competitive advantage. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Week 1 DQ2

Diversity

Assess how today’s increasingly diverse workforce and environment can both help facilitate and hinder a manager’s responsibilities in an organization. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Week 2 Assignment Competitive Advantage

Competitive Advantage

Obtaining a competitive advantage is an important aspect of management today because organizations exist in a more global environment than ever before. Within most industries, organizations compete with other companies that are able to provide the same goods and services for less money because they utilize resources in other countries, such as human resources in third world or other low labor cost countries, where workers are typically paid a third of what American laborers receive.

In this one to two-page paper, discuss the building blocks of competitive advantage and the role a manager should play in achieving this advantage.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

Week 2 DQ1

Environmental Factors

Globalization is the set of specific and general forces that work together to integrate and connect economic, political and social systems across countries, cultures, or geographical regions. The result of globalization is that nations and peoples become increasingly interdependent because the world’s markets and businesses become increasingly interconnected. Discuss how globalization is affecting the political, legal, and economic forces impacting today’s business environment. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Week 2 DQ2Creativity and Learning

The quality of organizational decision making ultimately depends on innovative responses to opportunities and threats. Explain the role that organizational learning and creativity play in helping managers to improve their decisions. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Week 3 Assignment Motivation

Motivation

Motivation may be defined as psychological forces that determine the direction of a person’s behavior in an organization. Motivation is central to management because it explains why people behave the way they do. In a 1-2 page paper, discuss the principle needs/desires of the typical employee. Then, using two motivation theories presented in the course readings, discuss how managers can best motivate their employees to succeed.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

Week 3 DQ1

Functional Structure

When and under what conditions might managers change from a functional to (a) a product, (b) a geographic, or (c) a market structure? Give a real-life example of such a change. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Week 3 DQ2

Controls

The three main mechanisms that managers use to assess output or performance are financial measures, organizational goals, and operating budgets. Compare and contrast when it would be more appropriate to use one measurement assignment versus another. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Week 4 DQ1

Leadership

Leadership is the process by which a person exerts influence over other people and inspires, motivates, and directs their activities to help achieve group or organizational goals. Describe how a leader differs from a manager, and when it would be more advantageous to be a manager rather than a leader, and vice versa. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Week 4 DQ2

Groups and Teams

A group may be defined as two or more people who interact with each other to accomplish certain goals or meet certain needs. A team is a group whose members work intensely with each other to achieve a specific common goal or objective. Explain why it is important for groups and teams to have a balance of conformity and deviance and a moderate level of cohesiveness. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Week 5 Assignment Final Paper

Final Paper

The Final Paper should demonstrate understanding of the reading as well as the implications of new knowledge.  It should integrate readings and class discussions into work and life experiences, and also include explanations and examples from previous experiences as well as implications for future applications.

Focus of the Final Paper

Specifically, in your 6-8 page Final Paper please describe your understanding and application of management by addressing the following:

1. Describe the role of a manager in a typical organization.

2. Propose and discuss three traits an individual should possess to be an effective manager.

3. How do these traits fit the four functions of management?

Please ensure your paper is properly APA formatted and includes a minimum of three (3) peer reviewed citations within the paper.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

Must be six to eight double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide. Must include a cover page that includes: Name of paper Student’s name Course name and number Instructor’s name Date submitted Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph. Must use APA style as outlined in your approved style guide to document all sources. Must include at least three professional referencesMust include, on the final page, a Reference List that is completed according to APA style as outlined in your approved style guide.Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

Week 5 DQ1

Communication

Communication is the sharing of information between two or more individuals or groups to reach a common understanding. Elaborate on the factors that are important to ensure communication is effective and efficient in the workplace. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Week 5 DQ2Customers

Organizations produce outputs that are consumed by customers. Because customers are vital to the organization’s survival, it is important for managers to correctly identify customers and promote organizational strategies to respond to their needs. Discuss two operations management techniques that have been adopted by managers in an effort to attract customers with improved products. In which industries may those techniques be best utilized? Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings