Business 101

Only available on StudyMode
  • Download(s) : 111
  • Published : May 12, 2013
Open Document
Text Preview
Final Examination

Chapter 9: 2,7,9

2. Describe the motivation process

Motivating is the management process influencing people’s behavior based on this knowledge of what makes people “tick”. Motivating and motivation both deal with the range of conscious human behavior somewhere between two extremes - reflex actions and learned actions. (Ferrell, P. 269.)7.What is Theory Z? How can businesses apply Theory Z to the workplace?

Theory Z is a Japanese consensus management style based on the assumptions that employees want to build cooperative relationships with their employers, peers, and other employees in the firm; for this they require high degree of support in the form of secure employment and facilities for development of multiple skills through training and job rotation, they value family life, culture and traditions, and social institutions as much as material success, they have well-developed sense of dedication, moral obligations, and self-discipline, and they can make collective decisions through consensus. As a guideline, there are broadly seven strategies for motivation. Positive reinforcement / high expectations

Effective discipline and punishment
Treating people fairly
Satisfying employees needs
Setting work related goals
Restructuring jobs
Base rewards on job performance
These are the basic strategies, though the mix in the final 'recipe' will vary from workplace situation to situation. ( 9.Name and describe some flexible scheduling strategies. How can flexible schedules help motivate workers?

Many U.S. workers work a traditional 40-hour work week consisting of 5 to 8 hour days with fixed starting and ending times. Facing problems of poor morale and high absenteeism as well as a diverse workforce with changing needs, many managers have turned to flexible scheduling strategies such as flextime, compressed work weeks, job sharing, part-time work, and telecommuting.

Related to flextime are the scheduling strategies of the compressed work week and job sharing. The compressed work week is a four-day 9 (or shorter) period in which an employee works 40 hours. Under such a plan, employees typically work 10 hours per day for 4 days and have a three-day weekend. The compressed work week reduces the company's operating expenses because its actual hours of operation are reduced. It is also sometimes used by parents who want to have more days off to spend with their families.

Job sharing occurs when two people do one job. One person may work from 8 am to 12:30 pm; the second person comes in at 12:30 pm and works until 5 pm. Job sharing gives both people the opportunity to work as well as time to fulfill other obligations, such as parenting or school. Fifty-nine percent of companies with more than 5,000 workers allow job sharing. With job sharing, the company has the benefit of the skills of two people for one job, often at a lower total cost for salaries and benefits than one person working eight hours a say would be paid. ( Chapter 10: 1, 2, 4-6, 9, 10

1. Distinguish among job analysis, job descriptions, and job specifications. How do they relate to planning in human resources management?

tracking img