Deck 1: Human Relations: a Background

Question 1

Define
-Bureaucracy

Answer 1

A formal organization in which each person has specific duties and responsibilities and is assigned to only one supervisor.

Question 2

Define
-Communication

Answer 2

The giving and receiving of ideas, feelings, and information among people.

Question 3

Define
-Group dynamics

Answer 3

The set of interpersonal relationships within a group that determine how group members relate to one another and that influence task performance.

Question 4

Define
-Hawthorne experiment

Question 5

Define
-Human relations

Question 6

Define
-Informal organization

Question 7

Define
-Growth mindset

Question 8

Define
-Motivation

Question 9

Define
-Mutual respect

Question 10

Define
-Scientific management

Question 11

Define
-Self-awareness

Question 12

Define
-Self-disclosure

Question 13

Define
-Self-esteem

Question 14

Define
-Theories X and Y

Question 15

Define
-Total Quality Management (TQM)

Question 16

Define
-Trust

Question 17

In your own words, write a one- or two-sentence definition of human relations as you would have defined it before reading this chapter. Then, assuming your definition has changed a bit, write a new one.

Question 18

Consider the importance of Elton Mayo and his work in the Hawthorne studies to the history of human relations. Fear was noted as a possible driver for productivity in the studies. Do you think fear is a good long-term motivator for employees? Why or why not? How would human relations skills affect a fear motivation?

Question 19

How can the development of human relations skills help you on the job as a manager? As an entrepreneur? As an employee?

Question 20

Consider the information on Theory X and Theory Y. Which theory do you think is more useful, and why? If you chose Theory X, why do you think some people who win the lottery continue to work anyhow, or do volunteer work? If you chose Theory Y, why do you think some employees seem unhappy with working no matter what they are doing?

Question 21

List three reasons why human relations issues are more important today than ever before.

Question 22

Why is self-esteem important to the development of human relation skills?

Question 23

List the seven "areas of emphasis" in the study of human relations and explain each one briefly.

Question 24

Why did the human relations movement not make much progress during the Great Depression? Discuss the relevance that experience might have to today's workplace.

Question 25

Have you worked in a position that fit with George Ritzer's McDonaldization model? If yes, describe the system and your experience in it. If no, describe places you have been a customer that seem McDonaldized and imagine how you would feel there as an employee.

Question 26

Explain the importance of the work of Frederick Taylor, and Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and the scientific management movement to the development of modern industry.

Question 27

What are the problems of today's society that cause greater stress on the job, thus increasing the need for human relations skills? List and explain the importance of each.

Question 28

Consider Peter Drucker's statement that "Management is about human beings. Its task is to make people capable of joint performance, to make their strengths effective and their weaknesses irrelevant." Can you think of examples in your own life where a leader helped facilitate this for a group you were part of (whether or not you were the leader)? Did this help you feel more motivated to complete the task your group was working on? Why or why not?

Question 29

Working it Out 1.3: Solving the Workforce Crisis of 2030
Watch the Ted Talk of Rainer Strack, titled "The Workforce Crisis of 2030 and How to Start Solving it Now," and answer the questions below, suggested answers provided. See the video here: https://www.ted.com/talks/rainer_strack_the_workforce_crisis_of_2030_and_how_to_start_solving_it_now?
-What is the workforce crisis that the speaker is describing? What caused it?

Question 30

Working it Out 1.3: Solving the Workforce Crisis of 2030
Watch the Ted Talk of Rainer Strack, titled "The Workforce Crisis of 2030 and How to Start Solving it Now," and answer the questions below, suggested answers provided. See the video here: https://www.ted.com/talks/rainer_strack_the_workforce_crisis_of_2030_and_how_to_start_solving_it_now?
-What outcomes can we expect if the crisis unfolds as the speaker suggests? How can we improve the situation?

Question 31

Working it Out 1.3: Solving the Workforce Crisis of 2030
Watch the Ted Talk of Rainer Strack, titled "The Workforce Crisis of 2030 and How to Start Solving it Now," and answer the questions below, suggested answers provided. See the video here: https://www.ted.com/talks/rainer_strack_the_workforce_crisis_of_2030_and_how_to_start_solving_it_now?
-How do the speaker's main points fit with the ideas in this chapter?

Question 32

Working it Out 1.3: Solving the Workforce Crisis of 2030
Watch the Ted Talk of Rainer Strack, titled "The Workforce Crisis of 2030 and How to Start Solving it Now," and answer the questions below, suggested answers provided. See the video here: https://www.ted.com/talks/rainer_strack_the_workforce_crisis_of_2030_and_how_to_start_solving_it_now?
-Think about the interconnectedness of the world's economies. As a global marketplace, do his concerns fit with the U.S. economy?

Question 33

Working it Out 1.3: Solving the Workforce Crisis of 2030
Watch the Ted Talk of Rainer Strack, titled "The Workforce Crisis of 2030 and How to Start Solving it Now," and answer the questions below, suggested answers provided. See the video here: https://www.ted.com/talks/rainer_strack_the_workforce_crisis_of_2030_and_how_to_start_solving_it_now?
-If you were in charge of setting policy for the U.S., how would you address these issues to maintain or improve productivity?

Question 34

Case Study 1.1: The Fighting Carpenters
Alan McKenzie's department was in trouble. Of all the departments in the construction company, Alan's remodeling division was showing the lowest profit margin. His boss had called Alan asking him to resolve festering issues between two groups of carpenters that had resulted in a fistfight between the leaders of the two groups. The workers seemed oblivious to the fact that the company had lost subcontractors due to their constant sabotaging of each other's work and the fights. Alan knew this and promised his boss that he would resolve the issue as soon as possible.
-Which emphasis areas of human relations does this case mostly address?

Question 35

Case Study 1.1: The Fighting Carpenters
Alan McKenzie's department was in trouble. Of all the departments in the construction company, Alan's remodeling division was showing the lowest profit margin. His boss had called Alan asking him to resolve festering issues between two groups of carpenters that had resulted in a fistfight between the leaders of the two groups. The workers seemed oblivious to the fact that the company had lost subcontractors due to their constant sabotaging of each other's work and the fights. Alan knew this and promised his boss that he would resolve the issue as soon as possible.
-What steps should Alan take to solve the conflict in his department?

Question 36

Case Study 1.1: The Fighting Carpenters
Alan McKenzie's department was in trouble. Of all the departments in the construction company, Alan's remodeling division was showing the lowest profit margin. His boss had called Alan asking him to resolve festering issues between two groups of carpenters that had resulted in a fistfight between the leaders of the two groups. The workers seemed oblivious to the fact that the company had lost subcontractors due to their constant sabotaging of each other's work and the fights. Alan knew this and promised his boss that he would resolve the issue as soon as possible.
-Could Alan have done anything to prevent this problem from occurring in the first place? If so, what?

Question 37

Case Study 1.2: The Buzz at Bakersfield
Jenny Wilson, a sophomore at Portland Community College, started a Web-based international electronic brokerage business. She made her profits on the percentage paid by the owners as well as the small fee charged to the customer. Initially, business was good simply because of the way Jenny handled the owners of the bed-and-breakfasts. Recently, however, there have been multiple complaints from owners of these bed-and-breakfasts that they were treated badly and that representatives of Jenny's company were extremely rude to them. Jenny walks in and hears Henry, an employee in her company, argue with a client over an unpaid bill.
-What should Jenny say to this employee during the talk she has with him?

Question 38

Case Study 1.2: The Buzz at Bakersfield
Jenny Wilson, a sophomore at Portland Community College, started a Web-based international electronic brokerage business. She made her profits on the percentage paid by the owners as well as the small fee charged to the customer. Initially, business was good simply because of the way Jenny handled the owners of the bed-and-breakfasts. Recently, however, there have been multiple complaints from owners of these bed-and-breakfasts that they were treated badly and that representatives of Jenny's company were extremely rude to them. Jenny walks in and hears Henry, an employee in her company, argue with a client over an unpaid bill.
-What steps could Jenny take to improve relationships among her staff and their clients? If she calls a meeting of all the employees, what issues should she address?

Question 39

Case Study 1.2: The Buzz at Bakersfield
Jenny Wilson, a sophomore at Portland Community College, started a Web-based international electronic brokerage business. She made her profits on the percentage paid by the owners as well as the small fee charged to the customer. Initially, business was good simply because of the way Jenny handled the owners of the bed-and-breakfasts. Recently, however, there have been multiple complaints from owners of these bed-and-breakfasts that they were treated badly and that representatives of Jenny's company were extremely rude to them. Jenny walks in and hears Henry, an employee in her company, argue with a client over an unpaid bill.
-What could have been done to prevent this from happening in the first place?