Organization Management
HW # 6
Chapters 9 & 10
Matthew Henderson
1. What is the relationship between discrimination and affirmative action?
Discrimination is hiring or promoting based on job irrelevant criteria.
Affirmative action is legislation requiring employers to make an effort for equal employment opportunities.
Affirmative action is government legislation aimed at disrupting discrimination within the workplace and giving equal opportunity.
2. Describe the concept of the changing social contract by differentiating between the new and the old contracts?
The changing social contract refers to the change in employee/employer relationships.
In the old contract employees offered to the employer job security, they were seen as a cog in the machine and they were expected to be knowledgeable in their field. Employers offered the employees standard training programs, traditional compensation packages, routine jobs and limited information.
In the new contract employees are expected to be employable and have personal responsibility, they are seen as a partner in business improvement and they are expected to learn and develop skills. Employers offer employees creative development opportunities, lateral career moves and incentive compensation, challenging assignments and information and resources with decision making authority.
The old contract hires employees whereas the new contract acquires talent.
3. What are the five dividends of workplace diversity?
Better use of employee talent – a diverse workforce generally means diversity in talent
Increased understanding of the marketplace – a diverse workforce is better able to anticipate and respond to changing consumer needs. This also fosters a culture of inclusion.
Enhanced breadth of understanding in leadership positions – Homogeneity leads to myopic perspectives.
Increased quality of team problem solving – differences bring different perspectives and more creative solutions and ideas.
Reduced costs associated with high turnover, absenteeism and lawsuits
4. Define the glass wall and the glass ceiling. Be sure to explain how the two concepts differ?
The glass ceiling is an invisible barrier keeping women from progressing, vertically to upper management positions.
Glass walls are invisible barriers restricting lateral movement within an organization. Glass walls bar experience.
5. Define perceptual selectivity. Briefly explain the characteristics of the stimuli and the perceiver that affect this process?
Perceptual selectivity is the process by which individuals subconsciously screen and select the various objects and stimuli that vie for their attention.
People generally focus on stimuli that satisfy their needs and are consistent with their attitudes, values and personality. A person who needs positive feedback may focus on positive feedback and ignore negative feedback.
People tend to notice stimuli that stand out from other stimuli; a loud noise in a quiet room. People tend to pay attention to sensory data that occur toward the beginning of an event or toward the end. Primacy refers to first impressions counting. Recency refers to lasting last impressions.
6. Describe three common perceptual distortion errors that managers routinely make. Give an example of each?
Stereotyping is the tendency to assign an individual to a group or broad category and then attribute widely held generalizations about the group to the individual. (ie: all men are chauvinistic so Matt must be chauvanistic).
The Halo Effect is when the perceiver develops an overall impression of a person or situation based on one characteristic. (ie: Ted Bundy gave me a flattering compliment so he must a nice, thoughtful man).
Projection is the tendency of perceivers to see their own personal traits in other people; they project their own needs, feelings, values and attitudes onto their judgment of others. (ie: I live by Christian values, so I assume everyone else does too)
7. What are the four components of emotional intelligence? Briefly describe each?
Self-awareness is being aware of what you are feeling. Being in touch with your feelings allows you to better guide your life and actions.
Self-management is the ability to control disruptive or harmful emotions and balance one’s moods so that worry, anxiety, fear, or anger does not cloud thinking and/or action. Characteristics include optimism and hopefulness despite setbacks and obstacles.
Social awareness is the ability to understand others and practice empathy; being able to perceive a situation from another’s perspective.
Relationship management is the ability to connect with others, build positive relationships, respond to the emotions of others and influence others. People with relationship management skills know how to listen and communicate clearly and treat others with compassion and respect.
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