COURSE DESCRIPTION BUS520 analyzes the interaction of individual, group, and organizational dynamics

COURSE DESCRIPTION

BUS520 analyzes the interaction of individual, group, and organizational dynamics that influence human behavior in organizations and determines appropriate management approaches to foster a productive work environment. Examines a variety of theories, models, and strategies used to understand motivation and individual behavior, decision making, the dynamics of groups, work teams, communication, leadership, power and politics, conflict resolution, work design, organizational structure and culture, and managing change. Provides a conceptual base for managers to interpret, assess, and influence human behavior in an organization.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Required Resources

Uhl-Bien, M., Schermerhorn, J. R. Jr., & Osborn, R. N. (2016). Organizational Behavior (13th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Provide strategic recommendations that are grounded in current best practices related to individual and organizational behavior influences in the workplace to mitigate an issue and achieve organizational goals.

Utilize emotional intelligence building blocks to devise a plan for a management approach that motivates teamwork, strengthens interpersonal relationships, and enhances communication and overall performance.

Make recommendations for improving an organization’s culture that reflect best practices in leadership behavior, power, influence, and change management.

Use technology and information resources to research issues in leadership and organizational behavior.

Write clearly and concisely about leadership and organizational behavior using proper writing mechanics.

WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE

The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This includes preparation, activities, and evaluation regardless of delivery mode.

Week

Preparation, Activities, and Evaluation

Points

1 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 1: Introducing Organizational Behavior

Case 1A: Trader Joe’s Keeps Things Fresh (page W-97)

Videos(s)

What is organizational behavior? Why is it important?

Discussion: Introductions

Discussion: OB at Work

Apply

Reminder: Assignment 1: Task Force Committee Report: Issue and Solutions is due in Week 4.

Reflect

Leadership Skills 22

2 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 2: Diversity, Personality, and Values

Chapter 3: Perception, Attribution, and Learning

Videos(s)

Perceptions in the Workplace

Making the Business Case for Diversity

Discussion: Diversity in the Workplace

Apply

Reminder: Assignment 1: Task Force Committee Report: Issue and Solutions is due in Week 4.

Reflect

Perceptions 22

3 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 4: Emotions, Attitudes, and Job Satisfaction

Videos(s)

What Is Emotional Intelligence ?

Practice Emotional Intelligence

Discussion: Emotional Intelligence and Job Satisfaction

Apply

Reminder: Assignment 1: Task Force Committee Report: Issue and Solutions is due in Week 4.

Reflect

Positive Work Environments 22

4 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 5: Motivation

Chapter 6: Motivation and Performance

Video(s)

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

Discussion: Motivation Methods

Apply

Due: Assignment 1: Task Force Committee Report: Issue and Solutions

Reflect

Motivational Theories

150

5 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 7: The Nature of Teams

Chapter 8: Teamwork and Team Performance

Case 7: The Forgotten Group Member (page W-109)

Video(s)

Groups and Teams

Discussion: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Apply

Reminder: Assignment 2: Professional Development Program Proposal is due in Week 6.

Reflect

Practice Presenting Assignment 1 Executive Summary 22

6 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 9: Decision Making and Creativity

Chapter 10: Conflict and Negotiation

Video(s)

What is Conflict?

Making Decisions

Discussion: Would You Make the Same Decision?

Apply

Due: Assignment 2: Professional Development Program Proposal

Reflect

Conflict Resolution 22

175

7 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 11: Communication

Chapter 12: Power and Politics

Case 11: The Poorly Informed Walrus (page W-116)

Video(s)

What are Communication Channels?

Communication Model

Discussion: Effective Communication

Apply

Reminder: Assignment 3: Position Paper: Power, Politics, and Culture is due in Week 8.

Reflect

Practice Presenting Assignment 2 Executive Summary 22

8 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 13: The Leadership Process

Chapter 14: Leader Traits and Behavioral Styles

Video(s)

What is Leadership?

Discussion: Assess Your Leadership Skills

Apply

Due: Assignment 3: Position Paper: Power, Politics, and Culture

Reflect

Leadership Styles 22

250

9 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 15: Organizational Culture and Innovation

Video(s)

What is Organizational Change?

Discussion: Managing Innovation Through Change

Apply

Reminder: Assignment 4: Presentation to the Board is due in Week 10.

Reflect

Cultural Influences 22

10 Learn

Reading(s)

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 16: Organizational Structure and Design

Video(s)

Matrix Management

Discussion: When Is Reorganizing Necessary?

Apply

Due: Assignment 4: Presentation to the Board

Reflect

Managing Change Forces 22

150

11 Reflect

Your OB Skills

GRADING SCALE – GRADUATE

Assignment

Total
Points

% of Grade

Assignment 1: Task Force Committee Report (Week 4)

150

15%

Assignment 2: Professional Development Program Proposal (Week 6)

175

17.5%

Assignment 3: Position Paper: Power, Politics, and Culture (Week 8)

250

25%

Assignment 4: Presentation to the Board (Week 10)

150

15%

Discussion Questions (Weeks 1-10)

220

22%

Reflection Questions (Weeks 1-11)

5.5%

Totals

1,000

100%

Points

Percentage

Grade

900 – 1,000

90% – 100%

800 – 899

80% – 89%

700 – 799

70% – 79%

Below 700

Below 70%

Overview of Assignments

Organizational behavior (OB) is the study of managing individual and group performance in the workplace. The primary objective of OB is to provide management with the skills and strategies needed to cope with the complexity of the modern work environment. The BUS520 assignments will give you the opportunity to apply these strategies and skills to an organization of your choice. You will complete your assignments from the perspective of a task force leader as you demonstrate your growing understanding and application of the course materials.

There are four assignments:

Assignment 1: Task Force Committee Report: Issue and Solutions

Assignment 2: Professional Development Program Proposal

Assignment 3: Position Paper: Power, Politics, and Culture

Assignment 4: Presentation to the Board

Assignment 1: Task Force Committee Report: Issue and Solutions

Due Week 4, worth 150 points

Leaders address issues and propose solutions. As a leader, you’ll need to stay on top of events that may facilitate or hinder productivity. You must create and implement solutions to address these issues.

This assignment exposes you to complex modern organizational challenges. The solutions you devise should reflect your learning and research of organizational and individual influences in the workplace.

Preparation

Select an organization
Select an organization in which current events have adversely affected productivity, requiring management to resolve an issue related to: corporate culture, managing diversity, leading teamwork, and developing motivational strategies. The organization should be one with which you are familiar — where you work now or have worked previously (business, nonprofit, government, or military). You may also consider other organizations in the news, such as Macy’s for the retail industry, United for the airline industry, Wells Fargo for the banking industry, etc. The focus is on finding solutions, but you should be somewhat familiar with the organization or industry.

2. Plan your research
Use research from the course textbook, company website, business websites (CNBC, Bloomberg, etc.), resources from the Strayer Library, or outside resources to develop solutions to the following questions as they relate to corporate culture, managing diversity, leading teamwork, and developing motivational strategies to achieve the organization’s goals and objectives. Your recommendations must be fully articulated and supported with appropriate detail and sources. Note: Wikipedia and web-based blogs do not qualify as credible resources.

Instructions

Imagine yourself as the task force committee leader at this organization. You have been tasked with analyzing hindrances to organizational efficiency. You must propose strategic solutions.

Create a full report in which you do the following:

Describe the Organization and the Issue to Resolve
Provide a brief description of the organization you selected. Present the organizational issue that adversely affected productivity and that you, the task force leader, will review and resolve.

Analyze Current Corporate Culture
How has the current corporate culture facilitated the development of the current issue? Research the organization, dig into the culture, and analyze how it contributed to this issue. Hint: Review the mission and vision statements as well as the corporate website.

Identify Areas of Weakness
What are the organization’s areas of weakness? Using your research on organizational behavior approaches to corporate culture, diversity, teamwork, and motivational strategies, identify areas.

Propose Solutions
What organizational practices would you modify? What solutions should your task force recommend to management? As the leader of the task force, identify the suggestions you would present to the organization’s leadership with regard to modifying current organizational practices to resolve the issue.

Prepare an Executive Summary
Summarize your recommendations and research findings in a one-page executive summary that you will present to the CEO in an upcoming executive meeting. Note: An executive summary is a condensed version of your full report. It should summarize briefly all the main points in concise paragraphs. It should be written clearly and should use language appropriate for the audience.

Professional and APA Formatting Requirements

Your assignment must follow these general APA formatting requirements:

Be typed (five to seven pages recommended, excluding cover and reference pages), double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12) with one-inch margins on all sides

Include a References List

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date

Include in-text citations following APA style, using attributive tags and signal verbs

Cite at least two credible sources

Grading for this assignment will be based on the following criteria and evaluation standards:

Assignment 1: Task Force Committee Report: Issue and Solutions

Points: 150 Exemplary

90-100% A Proficient

80-89% B Fair

70-79% C Unacceptable

Below 70% F

Criteria

Fully describes the organization by providing a relevant and robust but concise overview of the company (e.g. when they were established, what service(s) or products they provide, and other relevant information). Additionally, the author fully describes the issue he/she has identified; what he/she knows about it and how it has impacted the company.

Sufficiently describes the organization and provides details about the company. The issue is identified and the author sufficiently describes what he/she knows about it and its impact on the company.

Partially describes the organization and provides some details about the company, but additional details would improve the description. The issue and its impact on the company are not clearly articulated.

Does not describe the organization or provide details about the company. The issue and its impact on the company are not provided. 1 . Describe the Organization and the Issue to Resolve

Weight: 20%

Completely describes the company’s culture by detailing how the company positions itself from internal and external perspectives. Draws strong, logical connections about how the culture did or could have supported/facilitated the challenge. Makes direct connections and supports points with source material.

Satisfactorily describes the company culture by drawing on and synthesizing corporate information about the company. Makes logical and realistic connections that are supported by source material.

Partially describes the company’s culture. Lacks details and/or multiple sources are not utilized to provide a well-rounded perspective. Makes loose connections that were not supported by sources or that were not fully articulated.

The culture is not described or the company is not differentiated completely from others. Poses unsupported connections or connections are not included. 2. Analyze Current Corporate Culture

Weight: 20%

Completely identifies areas of weakness and provides strong details with logical connections and supporting source material.

Satisfactorily identifies areas of weakness and provides valid details supported by source material.

Partially identifies areas of weakness and makes loose connections between the weaknesses and supporting material.

Does not identify areas of weakness or does not provide supporting source material. 3 . Identify Areas of Weakness

Weight: 20%

Completely describes modifications to organizational practices and provides solutions with strong connections and supporting source material. Logically details how the solutions will resolve issue.

Satisfactorily describes modifications to organizational practices. Provides solutions that make some connections with supporting source material to indicate how the solutions will resolve the issue.

Partially describes modifications to organizational practices and solutions to resolve the issues. Lacks supporting details and source material.

Does not describe modifications to organizational practices, or does not identify solutions that would resolve the issue. No source material is provided. 4. Propose Solutions

Weight: 20% Prepares an exemplary executive summary. The issue and problem are clearly stated. All of the main points are summarized.

Paragraphs are short and concise, providing the right amount of detail.

Language is ideal for the audience. Satisfactorily prepares an executive summary. The issue and problem are stated and most of the main points are summarized.

Paragraphs could be more concise.

Language is appropriate for the audience. Prepares a partial executive summary. The issue and problem are not clearly stated and the main points are not summarized.

Paragraphs are not short or concise. Language could be more appropriate for the audience.

Did not prepare a one-page executive summary. 5. Prepare an Executive Summary

Weight: 10% Writing is excellent. Tone is professional and sophisticated. Shows logic, clarity, and consistent formatting. Contains no spelling, mechanical, or grammatical errors. Is free of formatting and citation errors.

Exceeds number of required references; all references are high-quality choices. Writing could be improved, but meets acceptable standards. Tone is professional. Shows logic, clarity, and consistent formatting. May contain few or no spelling, mechanical, and/or grammatical errors. There may be minor formatting or citation errors.

Meets the number of required references; all references are high-quality choices. Writing is satisfactory. Professional tone is developing. Shows moderate logic, clarity, and/or consistent formatting. May contain more than a few spelling, grammar, mechanical, formatting, or citation errors.

Does not meet the required number of references; some or all references are of poor quality. Writing does not meet minimum standards. Tone is not professional. Communication is wholly lacking in logic, clarity, and/or consistent formatting. Contains many spelling, mechanical, formatting, citation, and/or grammatical errors.

References are not provided. 6. Write Professionally Using Quality Resources

Weight: 10%

Assignment 2: Professional Development Program Proposal

Due Week 6, worth 175 points

As an MBA and leader, you must be able to present your management plans and leadership strategies to inform stakeholders and gain buy-in. For this assignment, you’ll practice this by developing a proposal for a professional development training program. The program centers on motivational strategies and how an emotional intelligence management approach would benefit department managers.

Preparation

Continue with the same organization you selected in Assignment 1. Imagine that the CEO has charged you, the task force leader, with researching emotional intelligence (EI) in order to propose a professional development program.

Your proposal should detail how a new incentive program, based on an EI management approach, will foster teamwork, strengthen interpersonal relationships, enhance communication, and increase overall performance. You need to help the CEO gain approval for this initiative. Your program’s proposal must include supporting research concerning how motivational strategies enhance job satisfaction and team output.

Prepare for this assignment by identifying the resources you’ll use to create your proposal. You will need to provide at least two quality resources such as the course textbook, company website, business websites (CNBC, Bloomberg, etc.), resources from the Strayer Library, and/or outside sources. Note: Wikipedia and web-based blogs do not qualify as credible resources.

Instructions

Create a proposal (five to seven pages recommended) that includes the following components:

EI and Motivation
Which of the EI building blocks would impact management’s ability to enhance employee performance and job satisfaction? Based on your research on motivational theory, describe how your task force would utilize positive or negative reinforcement to influence the members of the organization and resolve the issue. Provide examples to support your solution.

EI and Social Skills and Decision Making
Explain how the core concepts of emotional intelligence would enhance the social skills and the decision-making efficacy of the management team.

Effective Teams
Describe the core attributes of an effective team and the strategies you would implement to develop team dynamics that will benefit the organization.

Reward Systems
Create an effective reward system for this organization. Determine the strategies you would incorporate to motivate your employees and influence behavior.

Executive Summary
Prepare a one-page executive summary that you will present to the CEO in an upcoming executive meeting. Note: An executive summary is a condensed version of your full report. It should summarize briefly all the main points in concise paragraphs. It should be written clearly and should use language appropriate for the audience.

Professional and APA Formatting Requirements

Your assignment must follow these general APA formatting requirements:

Be typed (five to seven pages recommended, excluding cover and reference pages), double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12) with one-inch margins on all sides

Include a References List

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date

Include in-text citations following APA style, using attributive tags and signal verbs

Cite at least two credible sources

Grading for this assignment will be based on the following criteria and evaluation standards:

Assignment 2: Professional Development Program Proposal Points: 175

Exemplary

90-100% A Proficient

80-89% B Fair

70-79% C Unacceptable

Below 70% F

Criteria Fully describes how motivation and reinforcement would be used to influence members of the organization to resolve the issue.

Draws compelling, logical connections between theory and solution. Examples are strong and support solution. Satisfactorily describes how motivation and reinforcement would be used to influence members of the organization to resolve the issue.

Makes logical connections between theory and solution. Examples support solution. Partially describes how motivation and reinforcement would be used to influence members of the organization to resolve the issue.

Makes loose connections between theory and solution. Examples do not fully support solution. The description does not address how motivation and reinforcement would be used to influence members of the organization to resolve the issue.

Examples are not provided. 1. EI and Motivation

Weight: 20% Completely explains how core concepts of emotional intelligence would enhance the social skills and the decision-making efficacy of the management team.

Strong and logical connections are made that are directly supported by source material. Satisfactorily explains how core concepts of emotional intelligence would enhance the social skills and the decision-making efficacy of the management team.

Logical connections are made that are supported by source material. Partially explains how core concepts of emotional intelligence would enhance the social skills and the decision-making efficacy of the management team.

Loose connections are made to support the relationship between EI and management’s skills. Application of research is minimal.

The description does not explain how the core concepts of emotional intelligence would enhance the social skills and the decision-making efficacy of the management team. 2. EI and Social Skills and Decision Making

Weight: 20%

Completely describes the core attributes of an effective team. Strategies to develop team dynamics are strongly articulated and detailed. Benefits to the organization are logical and well supported. Satisfactorily describes the core attributes of an effective team. Strategies to develop team dynamics are articulated. Benefits to the organization are stated.

Additional details and source support would improve the description.

Partially describes the core attributes of an effective team. Strategies to develop team dynamics lack details and source support or are not fully articulated. Benefits to the organization are unclear.

Does not describe the core attributes of an effective team or strategies to develop team dynamics. Benefits to organization are not presented. 3 . Effective Teams

Weight: 20%

Creates an effective reward system and articulates well-thought-out strategies to motivate employees to influence behavior. The connection between strategy and influence is strong and supported by source material.

Creates an effective reward system and provides motivational strategies. Details and source material support how behavior would be influenced.

Partially creates an effective reward system and articulates some motivational strategies. Supporting details are given but could be expanded to describe how behavior would be influenced. Application of research is minimal.

Did not create an effective reward system or determine strategies to motivate employees to influence behavior. 4 . Reward Systems

Weight: 20% Prepares an exemplary executive summary. The issue and problem are clearly stated. All of the main points are summarized.

Paragraphs are short and concise, providing the right amount of detail.

Language is ideal for the audience. Satisfactorily prepares an executive summary. The issue and problem are stated and most of the main points are summarized.

Paragraphs could be more concise.

Language is appropriate for the audience. Prepares a partial executive summary. The issue and problem are not clearly stated and the main points are not summarized.

Paragraphs are not short or concise. Language could be more appropriate for the audience.

Did not prepare a one-page executive summary. 5 . Executive Summary

References are not provided. 6. Write Professionally Using Quality Resources

Weight: 10%

Assignment 3: Position Paper: Power, Politics, and Culture

Due Week 8, worth 250 points

Power and politics greatly influence an organization’s culture. In business, the culture can make or break an organization’s productivity. In this assignment, you’ll analyze the ways power and politics have influenced an organization’s culture. You’ll apply best practices you learned in course resources and your own research to make recommendations for improving this organization’s culture.

Preparation

Using the same organization from the first two assignments, imagine the CEO has now requested your task force investigate the influence of power and politics on the corporate culture. You have been asked to prepare a position paper that presents and supports your recommendations to improve the culture.

Prepare for this assignment by delving into the organization’s culture and identifying the resources you, the task force leader, will use to create your research-supported position paper. Use at least two quality resources such as the course textbook, company website, business websites (CNBC, Bloomberg, etc.), resources from the Strayer Library, and/or outside sources. Note: Wikipedia and web-based blogs do not qualify as credible resources.

Instructions

Develop your position paper, addressing the following components:

Influence of Politics and Power
Explain how politics and power-play may have influenced the organization’s culture.

Sources of Power
Explore the sources of power and describe how management could use this influence to benefit your department and improve organizational performance.

Leadership Behavior and Culture
Make recommendations that support how the study of power and politics could influence leadership behavior and improve the organization’s culture.

Leadership Influence
Discuss the importance and complexity of leadership behavior. How does it influence organizational structure and performance?

Executive Summary
Prepare an executive summary that presents your recommendations for ways in which the organization could build a stronger culture. Note: An executive summary is a condensed version of your full report. It should summarize briefly all the main points in concise paragraphs. It should be written clearly and should use language appropriate for the audience.

Professional and APA Formatting Requirements

Your assignment must follow these general APA formatting requirements:

Be typed (five to seven pages recommended, excluding cover and reference pages), double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12) with one-inch margins on all sides

Include a References List

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date

Include in-text citations following APA style, using attributive tags and signal verbs

Cite at least two credible sources

Grading for this assignment will be based on the following criteria and evaluation standards:

Assignment 3: Position Paper: Power, Politics, and Culture

Points: 250 Exemplary

90-100% A Proficient

80-89% B Fair

70-79% C Unacceptable

Below 70% F

Criteria

Completely explains how politics and power-play may have influenced the organization’s culture. Accurately identifies the core issues and strongly connects them to the impact on culture. The explanation is well-supported by research.

Satisfactorily explains how politics and power-play may have influenced the organization’s culture. Identifies some core issues and connects them to the impact on the culture. The explanation uses research support.

Partially explains how politics and power-play may have influenced the organization’s culture. Identifies some issues but does not fully explore them or make a strong connection to their impact. Uses little research support.

Does not explain how politics and power-play may have influenced the organization’s culture. 1. Influence of Politics and Power

Weight: 20%

Completely identifies the sources of power and describes how management could use this influence to enhance organizational performance. Uses relevant key concepts and makes valid connections to enhanced performance that are well-supported by research.

Satisfactorily identifies the sources of power and describes how management could use this influence to enhance organizational performance. Most key concepts are accurately identified and there is a connection to enhanced performance with research support.

Partially identifies the sources of power and describes how management could use this influence to enhance organizational performance. Not all key concepts are identified a

COURSE DESCRIPTION BUS520 analyzes the interaction of individual, group, and organizational dynamics

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