umuc bmgt364 week 1 discussion latest 2016 november
Week 1 discussion
Learning Activity #1
This week, students learn about organizational theory and
the relationship to the role of 21st century manager. A manager is a person
whose job it is to direct the implementation and achievement of a subset of
organizational goals. Organizational theory is a field of study that has
evolved in the last one hundred years to offer assistance to managers in the
way they approach their job in an effort to accomplish the organization’s
vision and mission. The 21st century manager is a person who organizes, executes,
and plans the process and production of an organization. Traditionally, the
role of the manager, as defined by organizational theory, has been the person
who sets short term goals for the organization to execute and performs tasks
that include the process, procedure, and production of the organization’s
purpose or vision. The modern role of the manager still includes these tasks
but has developed to include the role of facilitator in the way the manager
accomplishes the organizational goals assigned to his or her control.
• With these ideas in mind, compare and contrast the role of
management, as reflected by management theory, in the 20th century organization
with the role of management in the 21st century. Include in your discussion the
theoretical schools of thought(s) that speak to the manager’s role in the
business environment as well as definition of the environment itself.
• How has the change in business purpose (i.e. manufacturing
vs. service) and the business environment, worker attitudes, and behaviors
affected the role of the manager in an organization and how has the theory
evolved to cope? Discuss in detail. Be sure to use information from the
organizational theory timeline in your answer.
Learning Activity #2
As we saw in theme one the role of the manager has changed
from the 20th century to the 21st century, with the manager becoming more
people-centric in the execution of their tasks.
• From this week’s material identify and discuss 5 skills
that are unique to the successful manager of the 21st century. Consider in your
answer workplace dynamics of new organizations such as the change in
organizational structure (flat, horizontal, virtual etc.) and employee
expectations for the workplace environment.
