TROY UNIVERSITY
SORRELL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

MGT 4479Management Seminar

Fall 2011

Course Description:This course is a study of current management issues which examines the application of traditional management theory in the context of current management problems. This is the capstone course for management majors.

Instructor:Associate Professor Alan Wright, DBA, University of Memphis

Prerequisites:MGT 3371, MGT 3373, MGT 3375, & MGT 4472

Office Hours:MW: 10:00-12:00, TR: 10:00-12:00, and by appointment

Office Location:247M Bibb Graves

Office Telephone:334-808-6350

E-mail:

Class Time:MWF 12:00-12:50

Class Location:221 Bibb Graves

SCOB Vision:Sorrell College of Business will be the first choice for higher business education students in their quest to succeed in a dynamic and global economy. Sorrell College of Business will create the model for 21st century business education and community service.

SCOB Mission:Through operations that span the State of Alabama, the United States, and the world, Sorrell College of Business equips our students with the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies to become organizational and community leaders who make a difference in the global village and global economy. Through this endeavor, we serve students, employers, faculty, and Troy University at large as well as the local and global communities.

Course Purpose:To facilitate the integration of all management major courses. BS/BA Management major requirement.

Text: Wren, Daniel and Bedeian, Art, The Evolution of Management Thought, 6th Ed. 2009,

John Wiley and Sons.

Student Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

  1. Identify management philosophies of early and current theorists including Taylor, Fayol, Follett, Weber, Drucker, Deming, Mintzberg, J. Collins.
  2. Discuss early and current management philosophies of Taylor, Fayol, Follett, Weber, Drucker, Deming, Mintzberg, J. Collins.
  3. Explain why historical aspects of management theories are relevant to current management practice.
  4. Explain how planning, organizing, leading, and controlling differ through the practice of international management.
  5. Compare and contrast human resource functions including recruiting, selection, training, and performance management between the United States and other countries.
  6. Analyze past ethical dilemmas in management.
  7. Evaluate the effectiveness of management actions to resolve ethical dilemmas.
  8. Integrate operations management concepts with leadership and management practices.
  9. Explain how management leadership styles will need to adapt to a culturally and demographically diverse workforce.
  10. Analyze current topics in management.

Required readings for this course:

Collins, Jim (July/August, 2005). Level 5 Leadership: The triumph of humility and fierce

resolve. Harvard Business Review, 83(7/8), 136-146.

Collins, Jim (May 5, 2008). The secret of enduring greatness.Fortune.New York: 157(9), 72.

Grant, Michael M. (2006). Six Sigma for people? The heart of performance management. HR.

Human Resource Planning, 29(1), 10-11.

Gould, Jay W. (1999). Ethics: a pencil case. Journal of Management History, 5(8), 506-512.

McCauley, Cindy and Wakefield, Michael (Winter 2006). Talent management in the 21st

Century: Help your company find, develop and keep its strongest workers. TheJournal

for Quality and Participation, 29(4), 4-7; 39.

Murphy, Jerome T. (March, 2006). An interview with Henry Mintzberg. Phi Delta Kappan,

87(7), 527-528.

Schwab, Bernhard (June, 1996). A note on ethics and strategy: Do good ethics always make for

good business? Strategic Management Journal, 17(6), 499-500.

Tung, Rosalie L. (Fall, 1984). Human resource planning in Japanese multinationals: A model

for US firms? Journal of International Business Studies, 15(000002), 139-149.

Supplements:

Olivero, Mary Ellen (May, 1989). The implementation of a code of ethics: the early efforts of

one entrepreneur. Journal of Business Ethics, (62), 183-189. (Ethics)

Hira, Nadira A. (May 28, 2007). You raised them, now manage them. Fortune, New York: 155 (10), 38.

Sacks, Danielle (Jan/Feb 2006). Scenes from the culture clash. Fast Company. Boston102,

72-77.

NOTE: Additional articles (more current) will be assigned.

Grading Policy:The Student’s grade will be determined as follows:

Tests: (3 x 100)300

Written/oral assignments: (4 x 50)200

Daily Quizzes in class exercises:50

Capstone exam:100
Final Exam:100

Grade Structure:A 90-100%; B80-89%; C70-79%; D 60-69%; and F 0-59%.

Quiz Policy:Unannounced quizzes may be given. There will be no make-ups.

Test Policy:Make-up exams will be given only for documented, approved absences. See ATTENDANCE POLICY. Make-up exams are administered only to students who have received approval from the instructor prior to the test date. The make-up exam must be taken within one week of the student’s return to class. Make-ups are different from exams given in class. A grade of zero will be assigned for an exam missed due to an unexcused absence.

Classroom Administration: Students are expected to:

  1. Attend all scheduled classes.
  2. Be responsible for all instructions and assignments given in class as well as for the supporting textbook content.
  3. Read the text. Read the textbook material before the lecture covering that material. This leads to a better understanding of the lecture as well as the opportunity to ask questions about material in the text that was unclear or not understood.
  4. Hand in assignments on the assigned due date.
  5. Not bring food, tobacco products, or drinks into the classroom.
  6. Review exams in class. If the student questions the grading of the exam s/he may see the professor during office hours.
  7. Not engage in disruptive behavior.

General Support Services: The computer labs are available for student use.

ADA Statement:Troy University supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which insures that postsecondary students with disabilities have equal access to all academic programs, physical access to all buildings, facilities and events, and are not discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligible students, with appropriate documentation, will be provided equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills and potential through the provision of academic adaptations and reasonable accommodations. Further information, including appropriate contact information, can be found at the link for Troy University’s Office of Human Resources at

Any student whose disabilities fall within ADA must inform the instructor at the beginning of the term of any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements for this course. Students who have or may be dealing with a disability or learning difficulty should speak with the instructor, contact the Office of Adaptive Needs Program (Wright 226) or call 670-3220/3221. Various accommodations are available through the Adaptive Needs Program. The faculty in the School of Business makes every effort to accommodate unique and special needs of students with respect to speech, hearing, vision, seating, or other possible disabling conditions. Please notify the instructor as soon as possible of requested accommodations or ways to help.

Attendance Policy:1. Attendance is mandatory. If a student misses a class, it is his/her responsibility to obtain all information and materials presented (including material covered, handouts, skills learned, and homework assignments) during his/her absence.

  1. Excused absences: Excused absences are defined in the following manner:
  2. Professor was informed prior to the absence.
  3. Professor determines that the absence is excused.
  4. Written documentation (i.e., on letterhead) must be provided.

Incomplete Work Policy:Any incomplete work at the end of the term will not be accepted unless the student can provide acceptable and clear documentation prior to grades being submitted to the Registrar.

Cheating Policy:If you are caught cheating, you will get a course grade of “F”. See “ORACLE: Student Handbook, 1998-1999” pp. 56-57. Plagiarism is the act of stealing and passing off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own or to commit literary theft: present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary). Plagiarism will cause a student to get a course grade of “F”. According to the TSU ORACLE: Student Handbook, 1998-1999, pp. 52, one definition of misconduct is: “Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism…”. The ORACLE states on pp. 56 under the Academic Code sub-heading that: “A student is subject to disciplinary action: #3. Where the work affects or might affect a student’s grade, credit, or status in the university, a student represents to be his or her own any work which is not the product of his or her own study and efforts”. The penalty for such misconduct may be (pp. 56) “A student’s grade in the course or on the examination affected by the misconduct may be reduced to any extent, including a reduction to failure.” “A student may be suspended from the university for a specific or an indefinite period” pp. 56-57.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: Use of any electronic device by students in the instructional environment is prohibited unless explicitly approved on a case-by-case basis by the instructor of record or by the Office of Disability Services in collaboration with the instructor. Cellular phones, pagers, and other communication devices may be used for emergencies, however, but sending or receiving non-emergency messages is forbidden by the University. Particularly, use of a communication device to violate the Troy University “Standards of Conduct” will result in appropriate disciplinary action (See the Oracle.)

Students who are expecting an emergency call should inform the instructor before the start of the instructional period.

Other Information: The syllabus is subject to change. Check with classmates to determine syllabus changes if you miss class. Additional material, beyond the scope of the text, will be discussed in class and covered on exams.

DAILY ASSIGNMENTS

This class will follow the University calendar for all drop dates and holidays.

Below are the currently scheduled dates for all lectures and tests, some flexibility may be required.

August 17
19
22
24
26
29
31
September 2
7
9
11
12
14
16
19
21
23
26
28
30
October 3
5 / Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2/3
Chapter 4/ 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7/8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11/12
Chapter 12
Review
Test 1
Intro part II, Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19/20
Chapter 20
Chapter 21 / October 7
10
12
14
17
19
21
24
26
28
31
November2
4
TBA
7
9
14
18
28
30
December 2
5
8 / Chapter 22
review
Test 2
slack
movie
Article section preview
Article summaries
Article summaries
Article summaries
Article summaries
Article summaries
Article summaries
Article summaries
Capstone exam
CEO reports
CEO reports
CEO reports
review
Test 3
movie
Review
Dead Day
Final 2-4 pm

Writing Assessment and Evaluation

MGT 4479 --- Written Work Grading Standards

Student's Name:______

Abbreviated Title:______Date:______

A-level work
EXCELLENT / (1) Responds fully to what the assignment asks; (2) Presents a manifest topic statement containing the issue to be analyzed and the position to be taken; (3) Exercises critical thinking that is clear, logical (coherent & relevant), deep, broad, and discriminating; (4) Expresses its purpose clearly and persuasively; (5) Invokes and uses disciplinary facts correctly; (6) Provides adequate supporting arguments with reasons, evidence, and examples; (7) Is focused, well organized, and unified; (8) Uses direct language that is appropriate for the audience; (9) Invokes discerning sources when appropriate; (10) Correctly documents and cites sources; (11) Is free of errors in grammar, punctuation, word choice, spelling, and format; and (12) Displays originality and creativity in realizing items (1) through (6) above.
B-level work
GOOD / Realizes high quality in (1) through (11) fully and completely --- but does not reveal originality or creativity.
C-level work
ADEQUATE / Realizes adequacy in (1) through (11) and demonstrates overall competence --- but contains a few relatively minor errors or flaws. A "C" paper may show great creativity and originality, but those qualities don't compensate for poor or careless writing. A "C" paper is adequate in all regards but could use polish and usually looks and reads like a next-to-final draft.
D-level work
WEAK / Fails to realize some elements of (1) through (11) adequately and contains several relatively serious errors or flaws or many minor ones. A "D" paper is less than adequate for public presentation and often looks and reads like a first or second draft.
F-level work
POOR / Fails to realize several elements of (1) through (11) adequately andcontains many serious errors or flaws as well as many minor ones. An "F" paper usually contains fatal errors of thought or execution and usually looks and reads like private writing.
(1) Responds fully to the assignment / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(2) Presents a manifest topic statement identifying the issue and the position / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(3) Exercises good critical thinking / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(4) Expresses its purpose clearly and persuasively throughout / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(5) Invokes and uses disciplinary facts correctly / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(6) Provides adequate supporting arguments with reasons, evidence, and examples / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(7) Is focused, well organized, and unified / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(8) Uses direct language that is appropriate for the audience / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(9) Invokes discerning sources when appropriate / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(10) Correctly documents and cites sources / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(11) Is free of errors in grammar, punctuation, word choice, spelling, and format / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
(12) Displays originality and creativity / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR
Overall Evaluation / EXCELLENT / GOOD / NOT QUITE ADEQUATE / WEAK / POOR

Adapted from ( Retrieved Aug, 21, 2006.)