- Explain the importance of organizational planning.
- Why don’t employees often see their managers plan? How is this a somewhat “hidden” part of a manager’s role?
- What is the importance of control within an organization? How is this related to planning?
- Your text presents the traditional control model in Exhibit 17.14
a. Describe how a pizza delivery business might use standards and a control system to ensure that it is meeting customer expectations.
b. Provide a specific example of a standard that the pizza delivery company might set, how it will monitor results, and then how it may take action based upon its evaluation of the results vs. the standards initially set.
- What is Management by Objectives (MBO)? How can a manager integrate planning and goal setting into their work team?
Chapter 18 – Management of Technology and Innovation (MTI)
- Why is it important for an organization to actively manage and update its technology?
- Consider an industry that has experienced great technological change over the past 10 to 20 years.
a. Describe the industry and who are the major players.
b. What has changed within that industry (the products themselves, manufacturing methods, methods of delivery, etc.)?
c. What has driven the changes (competitive pressures, new available technologies, etc.)?
d. How important is it for a firm in this industry to respond to, or even drive, technological change?
- Imagine that you are a manager in a firm within this industry. What recommendations would you make to upper management as to how to keep up with a constantly evolving environment of technology and innovation?
Sample Solution
