Management of Organizations
Management 370
Section C1
119 Gerdin Business Bldg
Iowa State University
Jan. 10 – May 6, 2005
Instructor: Scott Elston
Office: 3134 Gerdin Bus. Bldg
MS, Iowa State Univ.
Office Hrs: M-5:30-6:00 PM
ABD, The University of Iowa Phone: 294-7650 (Office)
294-8116 (Dept.)
232-7194 (Home)
e-mail: selston@iastate.edu
hrdude@orthoii.com
Text:
Management, 8th Ed., Stephen P. Robbins & Mary Coulter
Recommended:
Wall Street Journal, Fortune, BusinessWeek
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Course Objective:
This course is intended to present you with a broad introduction to the process of management in
organizations and the dynamic world of managers. After taking this course you should be able to understand and explain
how managers contribute to the productivity and performance of their organizations, what managers do and the skills they
must have to achieve high levels of productivity, how managers plan, organize, direct, and control the work of others to
achieve organizational goals and objectives, and some of the reasons why managers differ in their ability to produce
effective results.
We will spend the next several weeks discussing a variety of topics intended to develop within you a conceptual
awareness or perspective of the frequently complex world faced by managers and organizations. This perspective will
consist of an examination of classical as well as more contemporary approaches to management thought. What you
should expect to have at the end of this course is a solid framework from which to begin studying other business areas
and an appreciation of the changing nature of the manager’s realm and the challenges that managers face.
Course Requirements:
Attendance: (20 points)
Regular attendance is an important factor in the successful completion of this course. I will take attendance at random
and unannounced intervals during the semester. Your attendance score will be determined by the percentage of times you
are present when attendance is taken. Prior notice of an absence or documentation of an emergency is needed to avoid a
loss of points in the event that attendance is taken on a night you are absent. If you must be absent it will be your
responsibility to get notes from someone in class or otherwise stay informed about material being covered.
If you know that you are going to be late for class please be considerate of other students, enter through a rear entrance if
available, and take the first available seat.
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Written Assignments (30 points):
You are required to read and answer the questions for the following 2 case applications:
 C.F. Martin Guitar Company – pg.155, questions 1-5. (Due: Feb.9)
 Motive Communications, Inc. – pg. 419, questions 1-4. (Due: Apr.13)
Answers are to be typed, double spaced, with a maximum length of 3 pages for the entire assignment. These assignments
are due at the end of class on the date assigned. Late papers will not be accepted. Scores will be determined on the basis
of the quality of your answers and arguments presented. Answers should be clear, focused, and supported by relevant
facts or logical argument in order to receive maximum scores. Each assignment is worth 15 points.
Exams (600 points):
Four exams will be given during the semester on the dates indicated in the syllabus. Exam content will consist of a
combination of text material and lecture notes. Each exam will be a combination of multiple choice and true/false
questions worth a total of 150 points. I will expect every student to take the exams when they are scheduled. In the event
that you must miss an exam for any reason you may submit a 12-15 page research paper on an assigned topic related to
the material covered by the exam.
General Policies:
Cell Phones:
In order to avoid distracting other students I ask that you turn your cell phone off or set it to vibrate while in class. If you
must take a call, please excuse yourself from the classroom while on the phone.
Grading Policy: Course grades will be determined by your performance on the exams given on the dates indicated
above. Letter grades will be assigned on the basis of the percentage of 650 total points you have earned in the course.
Plus/minus grading will be used. Extra credit assignments will not be available.
Note: If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please
make arrangements to meet with me soon. Please request that a Disability Resources staff send a SAAR
form verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need.
Course Schedule of Topics & Assignments:
Date
Topic
Jan. 12
Course Overview
Jan. 19
Ch1. Introduction to Management & Organizations
Ch2. Management Yesterday and Today
Discuss: Case Application- Lipschultz, Levin, & Gray, pg.23
Manager’s Dilemma, pg. 25
Jan. 26
Ch.3 Organizational Culture and the Environment: The Constraints
Ch.4 Managing in a Global Environment
Discuss: Ethical Dilemma Exercise, pg. 74
Case Application-National Basketball Association, pg. 96
Feb. 2
Ch.5. Social Responsibility and Managerial Ethics
Exam 1: Ch. 1-5
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Feb. 9
Ch.6 Decision Making: The Essence of the Manager’s Job
Ch.7 Foundations of Planning
Discuss: Case Application-C.F. Martin Guitar Company (Written Assign. #1 Due)
Manager’s Dilemma, pg. 157.
Feb. 16
Ch.8 Strategic Management
Ch.9 Planning Tools and Techniques
Discuss: Case Application – Joe Boxer Corporation, pg.302
Case Application – 24/7 Gramercy Park, pg. 225
Feb. 23
Exam 2: Ch. 6-9
Ch.10 Organizational Structure and Design
Mar. 2
Ch.11 Communication and Information Technology
Ch.13 Managing Change and Innovation
Discuss: Manager’s Dilemma, pg. 233
Case Application-Voyant Technologies, pg.279
Mar. 9
Ch 12 Human Resource Management
Discuss: Case Application-Mitsubishi Motors North America, pg. 307
Mar. 16
Spring Break – No Class Scheduled
Mar. 23
Exam 3: Ch. 10-13
Mar. 30
Ch.14 Foundations of Behavior
Discuss: Ethical Dilemma Exercise, pg. 366
Case Application- Washington Mutual, Inc., pg. 367
Apr. 6
Ch.15 Understanding Groups & Teams
Discuss : Manager’s Dilemma, pg. 369
Case Application-BASF, pg. 389
Apr. 13
Ch.16 Motivating Employees
Discuss: Ethical Dilemma Exercise, pg. 418
Case Application - Motive Communications, Inc., pg. 419 (Written Assign. #2 due)
Apr. 20
Ch.17 Leadership
Discuss: Manager’s Dilemma, pg. 421
Case Application-Dale Earnhardt, Inc., pg 451
Apr. 27
Ch.18 Foundations of Control
Ch.19 Operations and Value Chain Management
Discuss: Ethical Dilemma Exercise, pg. 486
Case Application-DaimlerChrysler, pg. 509
May 4
Exam 4: Ch. 14-19
Disclaimer: This schedule of topics and assignments is subject to change to allow for the pace of learning
of the class with or without notice. Students are responsible for making themselves aware of any changes
that may occur in their absence.
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