...constrained by these structures Interdependence: The roles taken on people, and the institutions and organizations of society are all interdependent and work together to ensure the smooth operation of society as a whole -A change in any one part affects others, requiring other parts to take account of changes, modify its actions, and adapt to any changes necessary Norms and Values: Individual behaviour is governed by social norms (most consistent behaviour in society) or rules that are generally accepted and agreed upon -These norms and values are consistent with the equilibrium state of society, or normal state of affairs -There are aspects of these norms that return the society to a normal state of affairs in the case of a disturbance- for example, sanctions, punishment, social approval and social disapproval Equilibrium: These parts work together in an orderly manner without great conflict. The different parts are usually in equilibrium, or moving toward equilibrium, with consensus rather than conflict governing the interrelationship of the various parts Example: The organs of a human body work together to keep us alive Key Theorists Emile Durkheim: One of the original and traditional...
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...state government. Find where the current and proposed regulation changes for that agency are located on the Internet. (i.e., the Federal Register or the State Administrative Agency website.) Regulations.gov is a good place to begin your research. Pick one proposed regulation change currently under consideration (if you find one that has already closed out but interests you, you can use that instead) and write the following regarding it: 1. State the administrative agency which controls the regulation. The proposed regulation change that I chose deals with concerns Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) rules within the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARS). These rules impact the Department of Defense (DOD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the General Services Administration (GSA). 2. Explain why this agency and your proposed regulation interests you (briefly). I chose this rule because it potential affects not only my company but many in the government contracting industry and potentially has great impact for the government as well. 3. Will this proposed regulation affect you or the business in which you are working? If so, how? Yes, it has the potential to impact our operations and our ability to continue to perform contracted work and to pursue new work. We perform a wide range of Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) for all three agencies impacted by the proposed rules. In some cases the rules directly pertain to our work and will...
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...of all of the issues associated with each question – more information is generally better as long as it is relevant and based on course material. SPELL EVERYTHING OUT & BRING A BLUE BOOK TO THE EXAM 1. Consider “groupthink’ and the video we watched on this topic. Be sure to identify the symptoms of groupthink and discuss ways groupthink can be minimized ore avoided. 2. Consider the article ‘How Management Teams Can Have a good Fight.” Based on this article and in-class discussion, explain the recommended approaches for helping to ensure that conflict is productive. 3. Identify and describe each of the five conflict handling styles/conflict handling intentions as outlined during class (slides) and also described in the text using slightly different labels. What style did Thomas Green seem to use in the conflict with his boss? Was it helpful? Apply each of the five-styles to suggest different ways Green could have respondeded. Which style might you suggest Green use instead – why? 4. Which conflict handling style best describe Donna Dubinsky’s approach when 1) the JIT idea first surfaced and during 2) the task force meetings? How effective were these styles at each of these points? Defend your points. What other approach (es) might you suggest for Donna at each of these points in the case? 5. You received what you consider to be a great offer for the car you are selling. Should you accept this first offer from the potential buyer? Demonstrate your knowledge...
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...Chapter 10 - Incentive Conflicts And Contracts CHAPTER 10 INCENTIVE CONFLICTS AND CONTRACTS CHAPTER SUMMARY This chapter provides an overview of incentive conflicts and contracting within firms. It begins by defining the firm as a focal point for a set of contracts. It then discusses the many incentive conflicts that exist between the parties that make up the firm. The role of contracts in reducing these conflicts is examined. The importance of asymmetric information in limiting the ability to solve these problems in a costless manner is stressed. Both postcontractual and precontractual information problems are examined. The role of implicit contracts and reputational concerns in reducing incentive conflicts is discussed. CHAPTER OUTLINE FIRMS Managerial Application—Enforceability of Implicit contracts INCENTIVE CONFLICTS IN FIRMS Owner-Manager Conflicts Choice of effort Perquisite taking Differential risk exposure Managerial Application—The Spectrum of Organizations Differential horizons Overinvestment Other Conflicts Managerial Application—Buyer-Supplier Conflicts Managerial Application—Experimental Evidence on Free-Rider Problems Managerial Application—Incentive Conflicts throughout the World CONTROLLING INCENTIVE PROBLEMS THROUGH CONTRACTS Costless Contracting Managerial Application—Jack Welch’s Perquisites Costly Contracting and Asymmetric Information Managerial Application—Agency Problems with Owner-Managers Postcontractual Information Problems Agency Problems...
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...Case 70 Computer Concepts/CompuTech Merger Analysis QUESTIONS Question 1 Several factors have been proposed as providing a rationale for mergers. Among the more prominent ones are (1) tax considerations, (2) diversification, (3) control, (4) purchase of assets below replacement cost, and (5) synergy. From the standpoint of society, which of these reasons are justifiable? Which are not? Why is such a question relevant to a company like CompuTech, which is considering a specific acquisition? Explain your answers. Answer: Synergy is by far the most socially justifiable reason for mergers. Synergy occurs when the value of the combined enterprise exceeds the sum of the values of the pre-merger firms. (If synergy exists, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, hence, synergy is often described as "2 + 2 = 5.") A synergistic merger creates value, which must be allocated between the shareholders of the acquiring and the acquired firms. Synergy can arise from many sources, the most prominent being (1) operating economies of scale in management, production, marketing, or distribution; (2) financial economies, which could include higher debt capacity, lower transactions costs, or better coverage by securities' analysts which can lead to higher demand for the combined company's stock, and hence to higher stock prices; (3) differential managerial efficiency, which implies that a new management can increase the value of the firm's operating assets; and (4) increased market...
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...are set up to resolve specific issues. Committees are mostly formal teams which deal with regularly recurring tasks. Team members have a shared mission and are often at the core of ‘participative management’. Since team members are collectively responsible for their work, effective communication is essential on every aspect of team performance. Successful teams, forming into groups, provide some advantages, like: * Increased information and knowledge * Increased diversity of views * Increased acceptance of a solution * Higher performance levels There could be some disadvantages as well, such as: * Groupthink * Hidden Agenda * Free riders * Costs Effective teams have a sense of purpose, open and honest communication, consensus-based decision making, creativity and effective conflict resolution. When teams collaborate on reports, documents, presentations and other communications, the collective energy and expertise of the various members in a team or a group will lead to results which would be better than what most individuals could bring. We would gain much better results if we follow some guidelines towards effective collaboration, including ‘collaborative writing’, such as * Pick team members carefully * Determine project goals clearly * Assign individual responsibilities * Establish the processes and procedures * Monitor how things are moving When we work in a team or in a group, we must also be aware...
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...IT BEST PRACTICES Assignment 2 – Worth 10 points of the grade TRUE OR FALSE – Each question is worth 3 points. 1. In the Tuckman model, storming occurs when team members have different opinions for how the team should operate. TRUE 2. The first dimension of psychological type in the MBTI signifies whether people draw their energy from other people (extroverts) or from inside themselves (introverts). TRUE 3. In the Social Styles Profile team building activity, drivers are reactive and people-oriented. FALSE 4. Managers should strive to use a win/win approach in making decisions, but in competitive situations they sometimes must use a win/lose paradigm. TRUE 5. Project managers must try to avoid conflict at all costs as all conflict within groups is bad. FALSE Please answer all questions – Each is worth 10 points. 1. Give 5 reasons why teams would be created? Great cooperation or teamwork is the key for elite in any business or non benefit association. This is investigated in more detail below: A. Promotes workplace synergy : Mutual support, shared goals, cooperation and encouragement provides workplace synergy. With this, colleagues can feel a more noteworthy feeling of achievement, are on the whole in charge of results accomplished and bolster people with the motivation to perform at more elevated amounts. At the point when colleagues know about their...
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...Improvement of Study-CHAPTER 6 “TESTS” REVIEW SHEET 1. T/F A test score is a measure of how well a student has taken notes in class. 2. T/F It is easier to do well on exams if you exaggerate the pressure on yourself. 3. T/F The key to successful test preparation is managing review time. 4. List and explain the three types of review used before tests. 5. Explain how flashcards may be used in test preparation. Flashcards are like portable tests questions. On one side you could write the questions, on the other side the answers. Create flash cards regularly as the term progresses. 6. T/F When a classmate asks the instructor a question, one should not consider that the question might appear on the test. 7. Short Answer. Explain how studying with people can be effective. Studying with friends is fine, but if your common interests are pizza and jokes, you might find it hard to focus. 8. List three suggestions for forming a study group and five suggestions for conducting a study group. To Form a study group: • Choose a focus for your group • Look for dedicated students • Hold a planning session To conduct a study group: • Set an agenda for each meeting • Assign roles • Teach each other • Test one another • Compare notes 9. Fill-in-the-blank. For test preparation, one should arrive _early________ so he/she has time to do a __relaxation____________...
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...What are the advantages and disadvantages of the primary types of auditors? Which type interests you the most? Explain. The most common primary types of auditors are certified public accounting firms, government accountability office auditors, internal revenue agents, and internal auditors. CPAs are licensed to express audit opinions on financial statements and are used as independent or external auditors. I’m not currently aware of any disadvantages of being a CPA. GAO auditors work for the federal government and report directly to Congress. In many states GAO audit experience fulfills the experience requirement to be a CPA. Due to vast experience and the scope of their job auditing the federal government, GAO auditors are highly regarded. On the other hand, the immensity of the job maybe isn’t for just anyone. IRS agents enforce federal tax laws to ensure compliance in tax returns. It might seem a simple matter to generally focus on one type of audit, however, the tax laws are complicated and contain hundreds of volumes of interpretations. Internal auditors are employed by individual companies to audit for management. Experience in internal auditing often leads to CPA or CIA certification. One problem with internal auditors is lack of independence. Although they report directly to the president, or other ranking authority, they cannot be entirely independent due to the employer-employee relationship. As a result, external auditors are sometimes hesitant...
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...sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other. According to the functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. The government, or state, provides education for the children of the family, which in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running. The conflict perspective, which originated primarily out of Karl Marx's writings on class struggles, presents society in a different light than do the functionalist and symbolic interactionist perspectives. While these latter perspectives focus on the positive aspects of society that contribute to its stability, the conflict perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever-changing nature of society. Unlike functionalists who defend the status quo, avoid social change, and believe people cooperate to effect social order, conflict theorists challenge the status quo, encourage social change (even when this means social revolution), and believe rich and powerful people force social order on the poor and the weak. Conflict theorists, for example, may interpret an “elite” board of regents raising tuition to pay for esoteric new programs that raise the prestige of a local college as self-serving rather than as beneficial for students. 2. List and explain the steps in the scientific method. 1. Defining the problem is the first step in...
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...Dictionary, is defined as “actual being or existence, as opposed to an imaginary, idealized, or false nature.” It is something that I thought I had a good grasp on, that is, until I reviewed my conflict style through multiple sets of eyes. I understand that every conflict style has its pros and cons, and therefore I should not cringe when I see that my husband believes me to be in the Control-Competition category; however, I cannot stop myself from thinking that the words control and competition are appalling and negative. It is especially hard to digest, seeing as how I had myself primarily in the Solution-Orientation category and thought that I fit the Control-Competition category least of all. I tend to adjust my conflict style according to whom I am dealing with and where the dispute takes place. When dealing with my husband, my preference is to wait and give myself time to think things through. I would rather handle all disputes behind closed doors; that way, if I have things to say to that may cause either party embarrassment or discomfort, it occurs privately, and I can avoid adding extra emotional fuel to the fire. I do not like to be corrected in front of my peers and feel that the emotions my anger and embarrassment create are hard to keep out of the conflict and often get in the way of solving the true issues. Taking time to think things through also allows me to focus on exactly what it is that I am upset about and prepare to have a civil conversation...
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...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In its basic form, negotiation is a method of conflict resolution. It is a problem-solving process in which two or more parties attempt to resolve their disagreement or conflict in a manner, and through a process, that is mutually agreeable. Whereas the general concept of negotiation is easy enough to understand, in practice it can be an extremely difficult proposition. Opposing views about what is right and wrong, disagreement on what is fair and equitable, understanding each other’s message and form of communication, and even the procedures that will be used to conduct negotiations are but a few of the hurdles that negotiators will encounter. Negotiation is further complicated when the parties find themselves negotiating across dissimilar cultures. Culture is a powerful factor in shaping how people think, communicate and behave. It therefore affects how they negotiate. In business arena, negotiations are crucial aspects of inter-organizational relationships like joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, licensing and distribution agreements, and sales of products and services. As the proportion of foreign to domestic trade increases, so does the frequency of business negotiations between people from different countries and cultures. To successfully manage these negotiations, businesspeople need to know how to influence and communicate with members of cultures other than their own. This paper investigates the impact of culture on negotiations. It begins...
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...-Social issue - Technology QUESTION 2 (12.5 marks) What are Porter’s competitive forces in an organisation’s environment? Explain them and provide examples to illustrate your answer. 1. Competition in the industry - : What is important here is the number and capability of your competitors. If you have many competitors, and they offer equally attractive products and services, then you'll most likely have little power in the situation, because suppliers and buyers will go elsewhere if they don't get a good deal from you. On the other hand, if no-one else can do what you do, then you can often have tremendous strength. Eg : AirAsia competition is Malindo air, they are in same industry. 2. Potential of new entrants into industry - Power is also affected by the ability of people to enter your market. If it costs little in time or money to enter your market and compete effectively, if there are few economies of scale in place, or if you have little protection for your key technologies, then new competitors can quickly enter your market and weaken your position. If you have strong and durable barriers to entry, then you can preserve a favorable position and take fair advantage of it. Eg : Airline industry has low threats of new entrants because it is very hard to set up airline company. 3. Power of suppliers - Here you assess how easy it is for suppliers to drive up prices. This is driven by the number of suppliers of each key input, the uniqueness of their...
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...As defined by Harry Webne-Behrman, conflict is ‘a disagreement through which the parties involved perceive a threat to their needs, interests or concerns’. There are commonly four levels of conflicts commonly known. They are intrapersonal conflict, interpersonal conflict, intragroup conflict and intergroup conflict. ▪ Intrapersonal Conflict Intrapersonal conflicts include ideas, thoughts, emotions, values or drives that are in conflict with one another. For example, in the army, many soldiers may disagree with their superiors’ orders. However, they choose to keep it to themselves due to the regimentation. It is important to note that these conflicts occur within an individual. Hence, it may not be relevant to a conflict between two parties. ▪ Interpersonal Conflict Interpersonal conflicts occur between individuals. For instance, it can happen between co-workers, spouses, siblings or even neighbours. At this level, we study interpersonal negotiation, and directly address the management and resolution of interpersonal conflict. ▪ Intragroup Conflict Intragroup conflicts happen within a group, be it a team, work group members, families, classes or living units. At this level, we analyse conflict as it affects the ability of the group to make decisions, work productively, resolve its difference, so as to continue achieve its goals effectively. ▪ Intergroup Conflict Intergroup conflicts arise between organizations, ethnic...
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...Assignment 4: Communication, Power, Ethical Guidelines Strayer University Outline the actions you would take to address major communication issues in a situation. Explain how these actions would improve the effectiveness of communications during the negotiation. Three of the most common types of communication problems are parties refusing to talk to each other, parties are not listening to each other, and when parties misunderstand or misinterpret each other. The actions that I would take to address major communication issues in a situation are (1) separate the people from the problem, (2) focus on interests, not positions, (3) invent options for mutual gain, (4) insist on objective criteria and (5) know what your alternatives are. First separating the people from the problem can help to separate relationship issues from what is important and allow parties to deal with them separately. Fisher, Ury, and Patton (1991) state “People problems, tend to involve problems of perception, emotion, and communication. Effective negotiation can be difficult to achieve when the parties involved have a different perception of the dispute. Second when negotiators are able to focus on their true interests and needs they can negotiate about the things that they really want and need and not what they say they want or need because they aren’t always the same. Parties often take positions that are created to oppose the other party’s position and when...
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