FINAL EXAM BUS 270 I – Spring 2020
Full written submission due Friday, May 8th in Canvas
The final exam consists of questions in 6 topic areas from the course this term. Students should thoroughly answer each question in a well written submission. All final exams are to be submitted as MS-Word documents or a PDF, into Canvas.
The exam is worth 20% of the course final grade. There are 100 points possible to be earned on the exam. The 6 topic areas of the exam indicate how many points each question is worth.
Students are expected to work independently. All resources provided to the student this term may be utilized to successfully complete the final written exam.
- MANAGEMENT (worth 20 points)
- Provide a detailed explanation of the overarching four functions of management (see Ch. 1 of the iBook). Each of these functions was studied in the course this term. In addition to listing each function, explain at least two activities managers do in each of the four function areas of management. A successful answer to this question will be categorized in four paragraphs. Each paragraph will be dedicated to one of the four functions of management. Within each paragraph is where the student will provide at least two examples or activities managers do within that managerial function area.
- Which of the four functions of management do you feel is most important for a manager’s success? Support your answer.
- ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE (worth 15 points)
- The course materials emphasized how an organization’s success directly correlates to its culture. Canvas Module 3 includes a power point with considerable content on Org Culture, and the entirety of Ch. 3 in the iBook is committed to the subject of Organizational Culture.
Provide an example of organizations (companies) which succeed in each of these types of organizational cultures. Students are not expected to write paragraphs for this question. Listing the seven dimensions of culture and typing a company name next to each will be acceptable. Each company should be uniquely used to answer each type. However, students cannot use the same companies mentioned in the iBook as examples of each culture type:
- Innovative culture
- Aggressive culture
- Outcome-oriented culture
- Stable culture
- People-oriented culture
- Team-oriented culture
- Detail-oriented culture
- EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING (worth 15 points)
- Write out the 8 steps in the scientific Decision Making process. This subject is covered in Module 5 in Canvas, and Chapter 7 of the iBook.
- Choose any two steps to explain fully. Which two steps of the 8-step decision making process do you feel are the most vital to ensure a successful outcome? How do managers rely on these two steps you choose to explain?
- HUMAN RESOURCES & EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION (worth 20 points)
Module 8 in Canvas, and Ch. 11 in our course iBook explains how Expectancy Theory is a leadership model predicting that high effort will lead to high performance (expectancy). Founded by Victor Vroom, in the study of organizational behavior, expectancy theory is a motivation theory suggesting performance results from motivated effort. Most employees view compensation as a key motivational factor to support effort and performance. However oftentimes, money is not an individual’s key motivator. Individuals also tend to be motivated by mastery, autonomy, or purpose (as founded in Frederick Herzberg’s motivation theory). These concepts are also addressed in the Dan Pink video posted in Canvas titled “The Puzzle of Motivation.”
Choose between Mastery, Autonomy, or Purpose, or another key motivator you believe strongly encourages individuals to perform. Choose only one, and explain how an organization utilizes the motivational strategy to its benefit in managing and incentivizing employee performance. Chapter 11 in our iBook details various motivational theories you can apply your to your choice. A successful answer to this question will include:
- one chosen motivator (Mastery, Autonomy, Purpose, or another of your choice),
- an example of how an employer capitalizes on human interest in that motivator,
- And include another motivational theory that supports the strategy. This requires research and/or the iBook Chapter 11.
- LEADERSHIP (worth 15 points)
This term we learned various leadership styles, behaviors, and dimensions. See Module 9 in Canvas and Ch. 9 of the course iBook. In particular in Canvas, review Daniel Goleman’s article “Leadership that gets Results.”
Write a personal reflection on your leadership propensity. Consider the well-known styles of leadership and dimensions of leadership, and choose the appropriate style and description for yourself. Provide examples and support of why you believe these are your leadership tendencies. This should include two paragraphs minimum.
Choose one of these 3 Leadership Styles:
- Authoritative, or
- Pacesetting, or
- Democratic, or
- Affiliative, or
- Lassez-Faire
Choose several of these 12 Leadership Dimensions:
Integrity Self Renewal Fortitude
Perceiving Judgment Performing
Boldness Team Building Collaboration
Inspiring Serving Enthusiasm
- LEADERSHIP VS. MANAGEMENT (worth 15 points)
This term we studied both leadership and management. There is merit for utilizing each inside an organization. Explain in detail whether you think you are more of a manager or a leader. Explain your answer fully. Support your answer with information learned this term.
Consider these items and more from the content in the iBook and presentations in Canvas:
Do you describe yourself as transformational or transactional?
When and where do you serve as a leader?
What does your Leadership Behavior Practices assessment results (Module 9) tell you about yourself and your preferred way to behave as a leader?
What does your Emotional Intelligence assessment profile (Module 10-11) tell you about yourself and your ability to Manage OR Lead?
A successful answer will be at least two paragraphs.
