Question 1

What changes in an organization structure might you expect as a result of the information revolution?

Accepted Answer

Answer depends on the student and their experience.
Flatter - The organizational structure will not have as many layers as previously needed. The layers of management who were necessary to compile the number and provide to upper management are no longer needed because much of that process is automated.
Wider (geographically) - Because of the internet, video conferencing, low cost teleconferencing, and email, a manager can now remotely manage an entire team of people who may be on the other side of the globe. I have managed personnel from Germany for two years. With the use of video conferencing, I felt as if we worked in the same facility.
Fewer - The structure of the organization as a whole will be composed of fewer personnel. This will be driven by the previous change (flatter) and also by the fact that even fewer unskilled labors will be necessary as much of the prepping and counting and menial tasks are completely automated, requiring fewer employees. More technical - The employees who are employed need to have some familiarity with computers, and many need to be very proficient.

Question 2

Can multinational companies overcome the need for co-location of team members when the teams must be created with people who come from greatly separated geographical locations? If your answer is yes, how can they accomplish this? If your answer is no, support your answer.

Accepted Answer

Answer depends on the student and their experience. Could include: Initial face to face team meeting
Team should plan together
Team have meetings at alternating sites. Team have ways to communicate regularly

Question 3

What was a positive value of Max Weber's model of "bureaucracy"?

Accepted Answer

Weber developed a model for a rational and efficient large organization. The answer could include a number of points.

Question 4

Based on the expected value, which of the investment options listed below is the best choice, if my choice is to make money. The states of the economy are given with their probability of occurrence. Also given is the amount of money to be made in each state (given in thousands of dollars)
 $\begin{array}{l|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
 States ~of& .4 & .3 & .3 & \
nature\
 & \text { Solid Growth } & \text { Recession } & \text { Inflation }  \
\text { Alternatives }&&&&\text { Expected Value }\
\hline
\end{array}$
$\begin{array}{lccc}
Bonds&&12&&&&&6&&&&&3\
\
Stocks&&15&&&&&-2&&&&&4\
\
Certificates ~of\
Deposits&&4.5&&&&&4.5&&&&&4.5\
\hline
\end{array}$

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Question 5

What are four items to remember when putting your resume together?

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Question 6

Give a company's mission that you found on the web.

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Question 7

In considering leaders, name a leader and 3 of the qualities discussed that this person has.

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Question 8

Some companies require that employees who receive training at the company's expense enter into a contractual agreement to stay with the company a number of years or repay the company if they leave. Is this unduly restrictive, or is it justifiable? Why?

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Question 9

Distinguish between traditional line authority and staff authority. Give an example within your university. (or in your company)

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Question 10

Do you think that engineering leaders of today are leaning more toward the servant leadership? Why? 2 reasons.

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Question 11

What have we learned from classical management thinking? Give 3 items

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Question 12

Delphi Technique
A. List 4 characteristics of the Delphi technique.
B.	Give an example of a situation to use the Delphi technique.

Accepted Answer

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A. List 4 characteristics of the...

Question 13

Herzberg specifically classed salary as a hygiene factor, not a motivator. How does salary fit in with Maslow's hierarchy? Discuss how these two statements relate.

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Question 14

Give an example of the Abilene Paradox, other than the ones given in class.
Write your example in paragraph form stating the Abilene Paradox and how your example conforms to this paradigm. State this so that someone outside of class may understand what we are talking about.

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Question 15

Why is planning said to have "primacy" among the managerial functions?

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Question 16

If as a manager of an engineering company you ask that engineers become more familiar with financial reports, what would you tell them are the benefits? Give 3.

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Question 17

Comments have been made as to the positive and negative aspects of Frederick Taylor's teachings. Give 2 positive comments on the teachings and discuss.

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Question 18

A strategy is a statement about the way to achieve objectives. Why is it important to have alternate strategies?

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Question 19

How would you distinguish between engineering management and management in general?

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Question 20

What is a difference in a Vision and a Mission for a company?

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Quiz 1: Introduction to Engineering Management