Assignment No.

1
Discussion Questions

1. From the standpoint of the supervisor, what is the significance of the following?
• Taylor’s scientific management - Taylor, the father of scientific management,
believed that managers should plan what, when, where, and how employees should
produce the product. He felt a manager’s job was to perform mental tasks, such as
determining the “one best way” to do a job.

• Fayol’s functions of management - Fayol believed that a manager’s authority should

equal that manager’s responsibility, and that the direction and flow of authority through
an organization should be unified.

• The Hawthorne studies - Hawthorne studies emphasized the attitudes and behaviors
of workers in small, informal groups and how those aspects can significantly influence
performance and productivity in positive or negative directions.

• Behavioral science - This approach focuses on the behavior of people in

organizations. Contributions from psychologists, sociologists, and other behavioral
disciplines have provided numerous insights into individual and group behavior in
work settings and the impact of supervisory practices and procedures on employee
motivation and work performance.

• The quantitative/systems approaches - Quantitative/systems approaches are

frequently found in large organizations where sales, costs, and production data are
analyzed using computer technology. Mathematical modeling typically is used to build
“what-if” situations (e.g., what would be the effect on sales if we reduce our
employment level by 10 percent? 20 percent?).

2. Of those factors or trends projected to reshape the workplace and the economy, how might the
changes over the next year or two affect you, your lifestyle, and the work of your organization?
Which will create the greatest challenge for supervisors? Why?

Because of many factors or trends projected to reshape the workplace and the economy it might
changes my lifestyle because of the expensive necessities and m workforce by having bilingual
problem.

3. Some people have postulated that the “hand of government should be invisible” in the
marketplace. What are some arguments for having the federal, state, and/or local governments
regulate business?
The federal legislation affecting the supervisor’s job. State and local governments
also have laws and regulations that impact businesses. Such legislation can prove quite
 costly for organizations, often requiring changes in their methods of operation in order
to comply.

4. At the end of the day, how do you measure whether you have been successful?
- Through the SKAs that I got and through my co-workers who fulfilled the task I given to
them.