An overview of MGMT 4340
The most useful approach to this class is to view it as three one-hour courses connected by a common theme. The initial class focus will focus on the decision-making process and the important role that critical thinking plays when managers make decisions. In this section of the class, developing an understanding of the rational decision making process will be emphasized by building on what you already should know. In your MGMT 3312 course, rational decision-making was discussed in terms of a four stage process:
Stage I: Identify the problem or opportunity
Stage II: Think of alternative solutions
Stage III: Evaluate alternatives and select a solution
Stage IV: Implements and evaluate the solution chosen.
While this is a useful introduction to the rational decision making process, it was simplified by the authors of the textbook that was used in the class. We will look at a more detailed version of the rational problem-solving process in this class. Here is a seven step approach to the rational problem-solving process that will guide us this semester:
Step 1: Define the problem.
Step 2: Look at potential causes for the problem.
Step 3: Identify alternative approaches to solve the problem
Step 4: Select an approach to resolve the problem
Step 5: Plan the implementation of the best alternative (this is your action plan)
Step 6: Monitor implementation of the plan
Step 7: Verify if the problem has been resolved or not.
The definition of decision-making is rather straightforward. It is defined by Kinicki and Williams (2018) as the process of identifying and choosing alternative courses of action. In theory, the rational decision making process is intended to ensure that when making a decision you are selecting among all the possible alternative solutions to your problem. This means that the best decision is before you as part of your list of alternative solutions. You just need to be smart enough to identify it when you see it. The steps of the rational decision-making process are designed to help ensure that you do not rush to making a decision prematurely, that is, before all of the elements of the problem have been identified and explored. Effective managers keep the steps of the rational problem-solving approach in mind when they make decisions, even routine decisions.
Part 1 of MGMT 4340
The first part of the MGMT 4340 course goes beyond this traditional approach to rational problem-solving. It recognizes that rational problem-solving can have its limits when problems are best solved by identifying novel and innovative solutions. When this is the need, rational problem-solving might not provide you with a thorough understanding of the problem and with a full range of creative solutions to the problem. This is where the book Creative Approaches to Problem Solving (CAPS), which is assigned reading in this class, becomes very useful. The CAPS book introduces you to a number of techniques that can be applied at each stage of the rational decision-making process. These tools and techniques will help ensure that you are thorough and creative in your approach decision making. As a result of applying the rational decision making process as augmented by the CAPS approach, you will be more likely to identify solutions that will be novel and innovative, if that is what is needed. In addition to an emphasis on creative decision making, the first part of MGMT 4340 also looks at critical thinking and the role it plays in the decision making process.
The approach taken in Part 1 of MGMT 4340 will require you to do the assigned readings and to apply what you learn to a real-world problem through a series of structured exercises. In these exercises, you are asked to assume the role of a consultant to the CEO of a chain of large department stores. You have been hired by the CEO because she had noticed that a number of her stores had been plagued by increasing losses due to shoplifting and/or employee theft. Each exercise will isolate a step in the rational decision making process and the CAPS tools and techniques that can bed usefully applied in that step. By the end of the first five weeks, you will have successfully applied a creative approach to rational decision making. In the process, you will learn a lot about serious management problems, shoplifting and employee theft. By the end of Part 1 of the class, you will have a solid understanding of creative approaches to the rational decision making process.
In Part 2 and Part 3 of the class, you will be asked to apply this expertise to specific problems commonly experienced by managers: employee motivation and conflict resolution. With this approach, two objectives will be accomplished. First, you will be introduced to two topics critically important to your future performance as managers: employee motivation and conflict resolution. Second, you will have additional opportunities to apply your CPS expertise to the resolution of management problems.
Part 2 of MGMT 4340
In Part 2 of MGMT 4340, we will examine the key theories descriptive of employee motivation to comply with organizational expectations. Although you were introduced to motivation theory in your principles of management class, in this part of the class, employee motivation will be studied more systematically and in greater depth. Also, there will be a project assigned in which you will be required to identify an employee motivation problem within an organization with which you are familiar. In this project, you will be required to apply the steps of the creative rational problem solving process from Part 1 of the class to come up with a proposal that, if implemented, would resolve the employee motivation problem you studied. In Part 2 of the class, your understanding of the employee motivation issue will improve. Also, you will become a better decision maker because you will have a chance to practice the tools and techniques of the creative problem solving process.
Part 3 of MGMT 4340
Part 3 of the class will emphasize situations involving conflict and its resolution. In Part 3, you will be introduced to the two major forms of conflict resolution: distributive and integrative bargaining. Greater emphasis will be placed on integrative bargaining because it provides excellent opportunities to apply rational decision making and creative problem solving tools and techniques from Part 1 of the class.
In summary, by the end of the semester you will have learned how to apply the rational problem solving process and the embellishments that encourage rigor and creativity when making decisions. You will also develop a better understanding of employee motivation and the steps managers can take to help ensure employees are properly motivated to meet organizational expectations. Also, you will learn about major forms of organizational conflict and ways to deal with it. The approach taken this semester should give you a thorough understanding of critical thinking and decision making procedures. Then, through the major projects, you this knowledge should be reinforced by having to apply it to the resolution of different real world problems.
Creative Approaches to Problem Solving 3rd ed., by Scott G. Isaksen, K. Brian Dorval, & Donald J. Treffinger, 2011, Sage Publ., Inc. ISBN 978-1-4129-7773-9
Pearson Custom text from Developing Management Skills by David A. Whetten & Kim S. Cameron, 9th ed., 2011, Pearson/Prentice Hall Publ. ISBN 978-1-269-80747-1
Allen’s Educational Philosophy
When approaching MGMT 4340, I assume that I am educating future managers. When serving as managers, you have to be prepared to compete effectively with the “best and the brightest.” My job is to prepare you for this competition, and by doing so, contribute to your success in life and as managers.My intention is to offer you a rigorous course through which you will acquire the subject matter knowledge needed to be an effective manager. Basic knowledge transfer will take place by reading material and assigned videos, as well as the material covered in class. My intention is to create a course that rewards students who come to class prepared to work and who have read the assigned material, developed an understanding of it, and then demonstrate their mastery of the material through their performance on the exams and homework assignments that will be completed this semester. This semester’s work will be handled both individually and as group projects. By taking this course, you will be exposed to the up-to-date, relevant information needed to improve your decision making capabilities. You will also develop the ability to take this information and apply it to the resolution of real-world problems.
However, becoming an effective decision maker involves more than acquiring knowledge. It also involves the acquisition of attitudes and skill sets needed to effectively perform the wide range of tasks performed by managers in contemporary organizations. Although having a strong knowledge base is essential to managerial success, it is not enough. You also have to have good problem solving skills, verbal and written communications skills, a dedication to high quality work, and the ability to think critically. Therefore, it is part of my responsibility to provide you opportunities to develop these necessary skills.
We have a shared interest. Both you and I want you to leave this class better prepared for life, in general, and career success, in particular. I will provide you information in class that will help clarify and expand upon the material covered in the assigned readings. As a blended class, this information will be augmented by information and assignments available through the course web site. I will be thorough in my review of your work and objective in its evaluation. In addition to class time and office hours, I will be available to you by the use of Bb messages. Please do not e-mail me. I have had too many student e-mails end up in my junk mail, and as a result, communications is slowed down. This does not happen using Bb messages. I am well prepared to teach this class and have designed a course in which each component has educational value. I will not waste any of your time. I am committed to work hard to ensure that the objectives of the class are met.
As you well know, it takes more than a good professor to have a good class. The commitment of students to the course’s success is also necessary. Just like you have expectations of me, I have expectations of you. I expect you to attend class religiously (you will lose points if you do not) and to check into the class’ website on a regular basis. While there, make sure you read the class announcements that are likely to address concerns that have arisen since the last time we have met face-to-face. You are responsible for everything that I communicate in class or on line so keep in close touch with the class. I expect you to complete all of the assigned readings in a timely manner. I expect you to be rigorous in your work and thorough when completing class assignments. I expect you to pay close attention to the syllabus so that you can keep track of class meeting dates as well as when assignments must be submitted. This latter point is very important given that late assignments receive no credit.
To expand on this last point, I am a stickler when it comes to meeting deadlines. Poor time management is the factor that probably contributes the most to students failing to be successful. Late exams, assignments and projects will receive no credit unless I have been contacted before the deadline that there is a problem. Then, to receive credit for the assignment, an official university excuse from the Dean of Students office must be provided.
A busy schedule, time conflicts, and computer and/or internet problems are not justifications for missing deadlines. They are incentives to start your work early so that deadlines can always be met. I expect you to think ahead, plan accordingly, and get started early on assignments.
In conclusion, I expect you to THINK. Think about the meaning of the readings. Think about the assignments and the learning that they have been designed to encourage. Think about what you need to do in order to take full advantage of your college experience. Think about what it means to be a good decision maker and successful manager. You cannot take this class on autopilot. To be successful, you need to be fully engaged in the learning process. It is your responsibility to help make this class one of the best in your college experience.If you live up to your responsibilities and I live up to mine, we should have a great semester.
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