Grand Canyon MGT 240 All Modules 1- 7 Discussion Question and Assignments (2014)

MGT-240 | Understanding ManagementModule 1 DQ 1Discuss the differences between the traditional management pyramid and the upside down pyramid. What managerial skills and competencies do you expect to be emphasized in the upside down pyramid? Explain your answer.Module 1 DQ 2Based on what you have learned about the four functions of management and how they are interrelated, share a real world example of where you have seen these functions in action either successfully or unsuccessfully.Module 1 DQ 3How well do you think your organization performs its key goals of providing the goods or services that your customerMGT-240 | The Historical Foundations of ManagementModule 2 DQ 1Using examples, show how the “deficit” and “progression” principles operate in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory within an organizational setting.Module 2 DQ 2Why is the external environment important in the open systems view of organizations?Module 2 DQ 3Select any three management theories (from different approaches). What is the significance of those theories to modern day management practice?MGT-240 | PlanningModule 3 DQ 1Using examples from your experience, discuss the importance of planning to the practice of management.Module 3 DQ 2What is the importance of an organization’s mission, values, and objectives to planning as a function of management?Module 3 DQ 3Explain the concept of management by objectives and explain how it is used in organizations.MGT-240 | Organizing People and ResourcesModule 4 DQ 1What role does organizing play as a function of management? Explain how the flat organizational structure differs from other types of formal organizational structures.Module 4 DQ 2How is the choice of an organization’s structure related to the environment in which it operates?Module 4 DQ 3Think of your organization and its resources. Do the managers utilize organizational resources effectively? Which resources contribute most to the organization’s performance?MGT-240 | Leading and ControllingModule 5 DQ 1How does situational leadership differ from another leadership theory of your choice?Module 5 DQ 2Using an organization with which you are familiar, identify ways through which feedforward and feedback controls can be used to assure a high quality final outcome.Module 5 DQ 3Describe the key sources of power and explain how each power base can be turned into influence.MGT-240 | Motivating and CommunicatingModule 6 DQ 1What is the importance of communication to the four functions of management? What are the different barriers to communication and how can they be overcome? (Hint: Use both your textbook and the GCU lecture).Module 6 DQ 2Compare and contrast one content and one process theory of motivation. In your opinion, why would two people with similar abilities have very different levels of performance? If you were the manager, what would you do and why?Module 6 DQ 3Identify and explain the alternative work arrangements that are available for improving work-life balance.MGT-240 | 21st Century ChallengesModule 7 DQ 1Based upon the assigned readings (Drucker’s “The Coming of the New Organization” and Zahra’s “The Changing Rules of Global Competitiveness in the 21st Century”), identify at least four changes (two from each article) that you think have been the most significant cause of change to the way that your organization operates. In what ways do you think managers’ jobs have changed in your organization?Module 7 DQ 2For your organization, or one with which you are familiar, identify the factors that operate in its general and specific environments. Why is it important for managers to understand the factors that affect their organization?Module 7 DQ 3Using an organization with which you are familiar, identify its core culture and the elements of its observable culture. What do you think needs to be changed to align your culture to the elements in the environment?Module 2 Assignment – Starbucks Management.0001pt;”>Details:

View “Starbucks: Building
Relationships With Coffee Growers.”After watching the
video, begin writing an essay (750-1,000 words) that is separated in three
parts.Part 1In the first part of your
essay, address the following:
How
does Dub Hay exemplify the definition of management?
Which
of Henry Mintzberg’s 10managerial
roles does Dub Hay display in the video?
Which
of Katz’s management skills are evident in this video?
In
what way is Starbucks an open system? Explain your answer.
Part 2Show how Starbucks
demonstrates/applies any three historical management theories. Use one theory
from each of the following approaches: classical, behavioral, and modern
management approaches. Part 3Conclude the essay by
discussing the following:
How
you see the managerial roles, competencies, and skills reflected in your organization.
Two
management theories being applied in your organization.
Use at least two academic
references. Academic references include the textbook, the readings, or any
article from the GCU Library. You may use information found online, but online encyclopedias
(e.g., Wikipedia) and blogs do not count as academic
references. Prepare this assignment
according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the
Student Success Center.Refer to “Starbucks
Management Grading Rubric” to become familiar with the assignment criteria
and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

Module 5 Assignment  – The Future of StarbucksDetails:

This is a CLC assignment.The instructor will
assign you to a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC).Review “Starbucks:
Building Relationships With Coffee Growers.”Begin working with your
group to write an essay (1,250-1,500 words). Address the following
questions/instructions:
Provide
examples from the video to show how Starbucks has used each of the
following types of plans: strategic, tactical, and operational plans.
If
you were advising Dub Hay on directions for the business over the next 5
years, identify one strategic plan you would suggest and explain why?
How
would you describe the organizational structure and culture of
Starbucks? For example, which type of organizational structure
and what type of culture is evident in Starbucks and why? Make
sure that you consider the evidence from the video.
Which
design type—mechanistic or organic—best fits Starbucks and why?
Is
Starbucks a servant leader in its industry? Justify your response.
Managers
use different types of control (found in lecture and textbook and the
Merchant article “The Control Function of Management). Identify and
explain how Starbucks employs any 5 relevant types of control.
Provide evidence from the case to support your answer.
Using
evidence from the video, explain how Starbucks goes through the
four steps of the control process and the planning-control cycle.
Prepare this assignment
according to the GCU guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the
Student Success Center.Do not exceed the word
limit. For full credit, make sure that your Turnitin Similarity Index does not
exceed 15%.Use at least four
academic references. Academic references include the textbook, the readings, or
any article from the GCU Library. You may use information found online, but
online encyclopedias (e.g., Wikipedia) and blogs do not count as academic
references.Use “Future of
Starbucks CLC Grading Rubric” for successful completion of the
assignment.Module 7 Assignment – Interview and
Reflection EssayDetails:

For this assignment, you
will write a reflection on what you learned about management in the course. As
part of the assignment, you will conduct an interview with a manager of a local
business to get a first-hand perspective on the challenges of management and
the techniques others have found successful for effective leadership,
motivation, and communication. Select a manager of a
local business to interview and contact the person to set up an appointment.
You may conduct your interview in person or via phone. Prepare a list of at
least 5-7 questions for your interview. Your questions should focus on specific
challenges related to leading and motivating people and communicating with
employees and/or clients in the business environment. In particular, try to
discover how the demands of technology-mediated communication, such as
communicating via social media channels, impact manager-employee relationships. Remember that managers
have many commitments so try to schedule your interview well in advance of the
assignment’s due date. You should present the consent letter attached in the
topic materials to the person you intend to interview. After you complete the
interview, write a 1,000-word reflection on what you learned in the interview
and this course. Address the following in your response:
What
are the most valuable things you learned about effective leadership,
motivation, and communication techniques?
Identify
some of the significant challenges you believe you might face as a
manager.
Discuss
your own personal strengths and weaknesses as a manager. What do you think
you need to work on to improve your own capabilities?
How
might you apply what you learned in your interview and this course to be a
more effective manager?
Provide an interview
summary at the end of your reflection that includes the following
information:
The
name of the person you interviewed and number of years he/she has been a
manager.
The
name of the company at which he/she is currently employed.
How
long the person has been a manager at the current company.
Date
of the interview and whether it took place in person or via phone.
Contact
information for the person your interviewed.
The
list of your interview questions.
Prepare this assignment
according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the
Student Success Center.You are required to
submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student
Success Center. Module 7 Assignment – Motivation and the Challenges of ManagementDetails:

Review “Starbucks:
Building Relationships With Coffee Growers.”Create a PowerPoint
presentation (10-15 slides including title and reference slide) that addresses
the following questions (consider employees, customers, farmers, and any other
stakeholders in your response for both questions):
How
does Starbucks motivate any three of its major stakeholders?
Using
one content, one process, and one reinforcement theory, how does Starbucks
build and maintain morale in its business?
Describe
how Starbucks has been both effective and efficient in its communication
with any three of its major stakeholders.
Using
your textbook and the assigned articles, identify
any five major 21st century challenges that Starbucks
encountered?
How
did Starbucks overcome these challenges?
Present
your overall impression of Management (as a process) of Starbucks.
Use at least four
academic references. Academic references include the textbook, the readings, or
any article from the GCU Library. You may use information found online but
online encyclopedias (e.g., Wikipedia) and blogs do not count as academic
references.Prepare this assignment
according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the
Student Success Center.Use the “Motivation
and the Challenges of Management Grading Rubric” to become familiar
with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the
assignment.