Assignment 5

1. Review the definition of management at the beginning of the chapter and briefly define each of the 4 functions. What are the challenges in carrying out these functions in today’s hyper-competitive marketplace?

Planning determines the organizational goals and action plans for how to achieve those goals, organizing determines a structure for both individual jobs and the overall organization, leading involves directing and motivating people to achieve organizational goals, and controlling deals with checking performance and making adjustments as needed. Some of the challenges include understanding the needs and motivations of employees and developing an appropriate management style to create value for the organization.

2. Which theory of motivation do you find most compelling? What factors should you consider when choosing a motivational approach? Explain your answers.

The theory of motivation that most compelled me was Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This is because it does not separate workers and people into two different categories and give the people set qualities and characteristics, like the X and Y Theory. The uniqueness of people is something that should be considered when choosing a motivational approach. They cannot simply be grouped and expect them all to act or work the same way. What Maslow’s theory does instead is explain WHY people want to work and what helps each of them grow into their role in the workforce and in life. Using the concept that survival is the key, it then goes onto becoming more comfortable and understand what one’s purpose is.

3. How has management’s attitude toward human resources changed in the past couple of decades? What factors have influenced this change?

Once thought widely as an irrelevant position in the company with a minimally beneficial function, the conception of Human Resources management