CJB 40603 Chemical Engineering Technologist Organizational Behaviour

Assignment 1 (10%)
Instructions:
1. In this assignment, it is allowed to work in groups of at most five (5) members. One
report per group is to be handed in, in which you should answer ALL the questions
given below.
2. State the name, ID and section of all members of the group on the front page of the
report.
3. The report should be handed in to me by 26 March 2015, Thursday. You may drop
your assignment in the staff pigeon hole marked 54 (located at MICET Admin
block).
4. The deadline is sharp.

Question 1:
Youre the Management Expert
Redesigning Jobs
Puan Khatijah has recently been hired as the manager of a group of five employees who
process mortgage applications for a bank in Melaka. She has been told that there are
morale problems in the group. This was confirmed by an employee attitude survey. In
general, the employees found the work to be boring and monotonous. However, they were
satisfied with extrinsic factors such as pay and benefits. It would seem that job redesign
might be considered.
Discuss what would you recommend to Puan Khatijah to resolve this situation.
(10 marks)
Question 2:
Explain why should organizations clearly communicate organizational objectives to their
Employees.
(10 marks)
Question 3:
Discuss how can excessive or too little group cohesiveness result in low levels of performance.
(10 marks)

CJB 40603 Chemical Engineering Technologist Organizational Behaviour

Question 4:

Teams Fuel Global Innovation at Whirlpool

How can teams fuel innovation?
Bringing together different areas of expertise in cross-functional teams was central in building
Whirlpools Global Consumer Design division. Whirlpool historically produced high-quality
appliances that were very similar to those of key competitors, forcing the company to reduce prices.
The Global Consumer Design division instead focused on innovative designs of new products,
including the Duet Fabric Care System of a washer and dryer set; the washer was manufactured in
Germany and the dryer in Ohio. The innovations developed by cross-functional teams are
increasing sales.

Why would Whirlpool use cross-functional teams instead of teams composed of employees from
the same department?
(10 marks)