Experiential Exercises in Organization Theory and Design

by Baker III, H. Eugene; Paulson, Steven K.

• ISBN13: 9780324168631
• ISBN10: 0324168632
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-23
• Publisher: South-Western College Pub

Summary

Baker and Paulson present a collection of thirty experiential exercises that are designed to help illustrate and internalize key concepts in organization theory. The exercises vary in length and complexity--some may serve as class 'warm-ups' while others could occupy an entire course period. Activities vary in range from personal inventories to actual creative production activities and occasionally require fieldwork. The exercises have all been class-tested and are adapted from a wide array of sources to ensure a variety of activities that will engage students regardless of their background.

Table of Contents

Overview of Organization Theory	1	(17)
Associations Exercise	2	(3)
Exchange Game	5	(6)
You'll Play the Role, So Why Not Pick the Part?	11	(7)
Strategy, Design, and Effectiveness	18	(15)
When Is a Business Effective in the U.S. . . . and Around the World?	19	(4)
Fast Food and Effectiveness: An Organizational Diagnosis	23	(6)
Strategy, Stakeholders, and Social Responsibility	29	(4)
Organization Structure	33	(16)
The Apple-Orange Company Structure	34	(5)
Words-In-Sentences, Inc.	39	(6)
The Club Ed Exercise	45	(4)
Environment	49	(16)
Organizational Diagnosis of the College Setting	50	(5)
Stakeholder Demands	55	(6)
Grocery Store Dilemma	61	(4)
Technology	65	(16)
Measuring Technology	66	(5)
Athletics and Physical Interdependence Technologies	71	(4)
The Hollow Square	75	(6)
Size, Life Cycle, and Control	81	(14)
Discovering an Organization's Life Cycle	82	(5)
How Big Are the Colleges?	87	(4)
Effective Organizational Control Mechanisms?	91	(4)
Culture and Ethics	95	(14)
My Friend Morgan	96	(5)
Culture in the Land of Doone	101	(4)
A Culture in the Forest	105	(4)
Innovation and Change	109	(14)
Dynamics of Change	110	(3)
Needle in the Organizational Haystack	113	(6)
Environment, Power, and Change	119	(4)
Decision Making	123	(16)
Maximizing or Satisficing: Pick the Best---Or the First Good One	124	(5)
Decisive Decision Making	129	(4)
Winter Survival Exercise	133	(6)
Conflict, Power, and Politics	139	(18)
Political Processes in Organizations	140	(5)
Conflict Strategies Exercise	145	(6)
Prisoners' Dilemma: An Intergroup Competition	151	(6)
Endnotes	157