University:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Course:
15.501/516 | Accounting
Academic year:

2023
Views:

484

Pages:

9
Author:

Soren Riddle

Our Focus • Human behavior • In varied work settings • In varied institutional (organizational, legal, national) contexts • Hi tech start-ups, corporations, government labs, universities • Over one-half of you will become managers even if you don’t get MBAs! WHO ARE YOU? MY CAREER MY COMMUNITY MY NETWORK ME MY WORKGROUP MY ORGANI -ZATION MY SCHOOL, MY INDUSTRY, MY PROFESSION, MY UNION, MY CITY, MY COUNTRY, MY GENDER, MY ETHNIC GROUP, MY RELIGION, … Our Goals • Know something about managerial psychology • Know how to learn more • Understand the behavioral research process • Develop skills in presenting your ideas in oral and written reports Grading 15.301 Influence paper 10% Quiz#1 10% Quiz#2 10% Proposal 10% Oral report 5% Term report 25% Participation 10% Total 80% Comm 10% 15.310 20% 15% 15% 5% 5% 50% 20% Class Participation • • • • Be on time! Attendance will be taken Choose your seat for permanent seating Participation is graded in terms of contribution to class discussion • Readings for each lecture are required as preparation for the lecture (see syllabus) • Maintain a professional atmosphere – no computer use or other distractions, mutual respect even if disagreeing Policy on Individual Work • Except for specific team assignments, assignments must be individual work • Copying or using outside materials without proper citation and reference is a violation • Copying another student’s work or allowing your work to be copied is a violation • Violations are also subject to MIT’s Standards of Academic Integrity, overseen by the MIT Committee on Discipline. Every year dozens of students are brought up on charges before the COD; some are suspended, have their degrees withheld, and have notations on their transcripts • If you have any questions or doubts, ASK! The Changing Nature of Work • Farming – 24/7, work=family, “jack of all trades”, “rugged individualism” yet tight communities • Craft – artisan/apprentice hierarchy, do whole task (shoes, etc.) • Mass Production – separate work/family, division of labor, assembly line, owners vs. union, classic social contract of loyalty for security • Knowledge Work – educated, professional, mobile “human capital” with “careers” • Service Work – the “new factory” is McDonald’s and Wal-Mart Today’s Management Crises • 1940s-70s: General Motors – Wage leader: Wage formula negotiated with United Auto Workers: 3% plus productivity and cost of living adjustments – Introduced pensions, health insurance, joint training funds, workfamily benefits… – Other firms forced to match GMs rising wages/benefits • 2000s Wal-Mart – – – – – – Largest US employer (1.8 million people) Average wage 30% below national average; 50% turnover !! Class action suits for gender discrimination and overtime pay Resists unionization—watch for media counter blitz! Other firms match Wal-Mart lower wages/benefits (not all) GM today: Delphi spin-off in bankruptcy, GM on the brink • And don’t forget Enron, Worldcom, China, India,… What’s a Manager Anyway? Some Alternative Definitions • Traditional Person who plans, directs people and resources • New Organization Person who supports, coaches, coordinates, and leads • Peter Principle A person promoted to their level of incompetence • Dilbert’s Principle The most ineffective workers are systematically moved where they can do the least damage: to management