1. Define organizational control and how it contributes to competitiveness. Why it is important to overall performance?
2. Describe the four steps in the process of control.
3. Describe three systems of control that managers use in operations management.
4. Identify the main methods of output and behaviour control and discuss their advantages and disadvantages as means of coordinating and motivating employees.
5. What is CRM, and how can it help improve responsiveness to customers?
6. What is clan control, and how does it affect the way employees behave?
7. What types of controls would you expect to find most used in (a) a hospital, (b) the Armed Forces, (c) a city police force? Why?
8. Watch a YouTube video on the culture at Google. What types of control measures are evident in this video?
9. Why is it important for managers to pay close attention to their organization’s production system if they wish to be responsive to their customers?
SELF-REFLECTION EXERCISE
Your school is developing a one-day orientation program for new students majoring in business. You have been asked to consider leading the group of students who will design and implement the orientation program. Develop a two- or three-page “handout” that shows whether the position is a natural fit for you.
To do this,
(1) identify your strengths and weaknesses in the sources of power you can bring to the project, and
(2) discuss whether you would be a transactional leader or a transformation leader and why. Provide a strong concluding statement about whether or not you would be the best leader for this task.
