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Organizational Behavior and Administration MGMT 350

Angela Patrick, PhD

Texas A&M University at Central Texas

Chapter 1 Case Study: Improving Health by Getting Lean

1. What perspective of organizational effectiveness best describes the application of lean

management practices? Describe how specific elements of that perspective relates to the

interventions described in this case study.

While reading this case study I found that the best perspective of organizational

effectiveness that best describes this case was organizational learning perspective (also called

knowledge management). This perspective depends on the organizational capacity to acquire,

share, use, and store valuable knowledge (pg.10). Nissan factory provided Sunderland Royal

Hospital staff with tons of professional and valuable ideas to help benefit their patients on a day to

day basis including cutting back on time that patients spend on appointments. This lean thinking

technique has not only helped Sunderland Royal Hospital but other hospitals as well. Park

Nicollet Health Services made drastic changes to their company to where they do not even require

a patient waiting area which is very ideal.

2. Does lean management ignore some perspectives of consequences of these practices that

might undermine rather than improve the organization’s effectiveness.

Not only does this case study describe the organizational learning perspective but it also utilizes

the high-performance work practices perspective, open systems perspective, and also the

stakeholders perspective. I feel that all of these perspectives were met in this case, some more

than others but overall they were identified.

3. In what situations, if any, would it be difficult or risky to apply lean management

practices? What conditions make these practices challenging in these situations?

I honestly believe that lean management can be very effective way of managing a

company. It is effective and extremely efficient in all areas including the staff and the people

receiving the services. Although it can also be really risky as well, making employees lazy and the

services/products can also fall short of satisfactory. If lean management is implemented in a

company, I believe that it should be researched and looked at from all areas before presented to

the public.

Chapter 2 Self- Assessment: Are You Introverted or Extroverted??

1. I feel comfortable around people-

This is a very accurate description of me. I am able to adapt and blend into any situation at

presented to me. Years ago I could not express myself around people other than the ones I

already knew. I am thankful for my military training because it prepared me with the

knowledge, skills, and abilities to adapt in all situations. 4

2. I make friends easily-

This is a very accurate description of me. I enjoy meeting new people. I also use this

opportunity as a networking tool. During my career journey as a Human Resource Manager,

networking has become my number one go too, so making new friends is essential. 4

3. I keep in the background-

This statement is a moderately accurate description of me. Although I am a social butterfly I

also like to sit back and observe my situation and the flow of the atmosphere. 3

4. I don’t talk a lot- This is a moderately accurate description of me. I do love to voice my

opinion invited and sometimes uninvited. Tactfully of course. 3

5. I would describe my experiences as somewhat dull-

This statement is moderately inaccurate. I have some interesting life experiences personal

and professional that has had an impact on my life personally and professionally. 1

6. I know how to captivate people-

This statement is moderately accurate description of me. Captivating people with my

personality is a given and it allows me to be open. Even though, some people may not prefer

my personality which is fine, but that is not very often. 3

7. I do not like to draw attention to myself-

This statement is moderately accurate description of me. I don’t like to be in the forefront of

things unless I know what I am doing and I know that I will do well with it. I’ve always

preferred to be a behind the scenes type of employee buy making big decisions and being a

great asset to a company. 3

8. I am the life of the party-

This statement is moderately accurate description of me. I do enjoy the idea of getting to

know people but I don’t think that I am quite to the point where I can get up and moonwalk

in front of a bunch of strangers yet. 3

9. I am skilled in handling social situations-

This statement is very accurate description of me. I have encountered many social challenges

in my professional and personal life that have left me to make very mature and ethical

choices. Standing up for myself has always been a strong area for me. 4

10. I have little to say-

This is a moderately inaccurate description of me. Although I have a lot to say I do have

discernment to know the difference between when it is safe to speak and when it is not ok.

This tool has kept me out of a lot trouble. 1

My score if introversion and extroversion was a 29. According to the scoring scale, this

places me at a moderate extroversion level. I believe that this is accurate of me.

Chapter 3 Self-Assessment: How Much Does Work Define Your Self-

Concept??

1. The most important things that happen in life involve work.

I moderately agree with this statement. I guess this statement depends on how much

involvement you have at your work place and what is more important to you. There are

very important things that involve work but I wouldn’t go as far as saying most things. I

believe that you must find some sort of balance between your career and your life outside

of work. 2

2. Work is something people should get involved in most of the time.

I strongly agree with this statement. I believe that your involvement in work is a huge

commitment. This sets the platform for many opportunities to open up for you and your

career. 6

3. Work should be only a small part of one’s life.

I strongly disagree with this statement. There should always be time for your career,

something that you worked so hard to achieve. I believe that balance is key and it is

necessary to make adequate time for it. Designate time for family and social events. I

think this helps keep your steady balance. 1

4. Work should be considered central to life.

Strongly disagree. I believe that work should play a big role in life but to never demand

your life. Although work is essential to life and should be treated as such, making time

for hobbies and for the people you love should be taken into consideration. A balanced

schedule is also ideal for this. 1

5. In my view, an individual’s personal life goals should be work-oriented.

Moderately agree with this statement. I believe that the ultimate goal in life is to want

what the heart desires and to achieve that and reap the benefits. There’s nothing wrong

with your goals being work oriented but my goals expand beyond that, although they do

begin with work related aspects. 5

6. Life is worth living only when people get absorbed in work.

I slightly agree with this statement. I wouldn’t want for work to be so overwhelming that

this is what it ultimately comes down to but this does seem to happen every day. Work

can bring you to stress levels that will time off is the next best thing. I feel as though you

should always step away from things that challenge you to perform to your best abilities.

Staying healthy at your work place is extremely relevant. 3

My score according to the work centrality scale was 18. I believe that this is an accurate

statement of me. Work, family, friends, hobbies, etc should create a balance in life. I love to work

and bring home the bacon but I want to also enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Chapter 4 Case Study: Rough Seas on the LINK650

1. Identify the various ways that employees expressed their job dissatisfaction on

the LINK650.

The employees of LINK650 experienced a plethora of issues while working for the

company from the very beginning. When they were chosen to work for LINK650 they hadn’t

even met the managers of the company and believed that many of their issues would have been

different if they were interviewed by the supervisors. It was expressed that none of the employees

were quite prepared for the brutal job demands that the oil rigs had to offer and stayed only to

show their dedication to the job. Because of poor management from the supervisors, LINK650

was shut down twice placing an abundance of pressure on the supervisors to get the employees

back on track. The supervisors ignored blatant equipment problems and urged the employees to

get the job done despite these apparent safety hazards and complete disregard to the safety

procedures.

There was a ton of stress and psychological harassment displayed on the worksites of

LINK650. Supervisors mistreated the workers with hostile and verbal obscenities resulting in a

harmful work environment ultimately luring the workers into leaving their jobs and faking

injuries to have time off with pay. The employee’s dedication to the company plummeted

drastically and they showed low production and commitment while working. Tragically an

employee lost his life due to a faulty hoist and government inquiry concluded that the person

responsible wasn’t properly trained and that employees were pushed to finish jobs without safety

precautions. This incident resulted in the rig being unionized, sending LINK650’s management

into a frenzy while they tried everything in their might to reverse this action.

2. Shaun O’Neill’s commitment to the LINK organization dwindled over his two

years of employment. Discuss the factors that affected his organizational

commitment.

Shaun O’Neill’s started his new job with high hopes and commitment, applying all the

tools that he learned in his recent Organizational Behavior class. All of Shaun’s experience and

everything that he learned including his morals and ethics were tested during his time at LINK.

The management of this company made it very easy for Shaun and the other employees as well to

make the ultimate decision to leave the organization. The affective organizational commitment of

Shaun and it his fellow employees was compromised due to their psychological bond to stay loyal

and dedicated to the company. LINK650’s management had broken Shaun’s trust which is a huge

factor; destroying any and every positive expectations.

The general adaptation syndrome is a model of the stress experience, consisting of three

stages: alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion. I believe that this model is a great example of

what Shaun and the other employees of LINK experienced. Their ability to cope with the extreme

conditions at their workplace proved to be overwhelming and eventually this led Shaun to resign.