MNGT 215 – Fall 2007-2008
Video case - Chapter 2
After watching the video NBB, prepare the following questions.
Multiple choice
1.
One of the most important factors that influences an organization’s response to its
external environment is the
. This is the set of assumptions about the
organization and its goals and practices that members of the company share. For New
Belgium Brewing, this is a cornerstone in the company’s foundation and strategy.
a.
organizational structure
b.
organizational culture
c.
behaviors
d.
value model
2.
Group, hierarchical, rational, and adhocracy are all examples of types of cultures that
exist at different firms. New Belgium has a decidedly group culture, as shown in the
video. The categorization of these cultures is based on their mix of ______.
a.
leadership and behaviors and control or flexibility
b.
goals and values and internal or external focus
c.
structure and control and internal or external focus
d.
flexibility or control and internal or external focus
3.
When New Belgium made changes to its brews and decided to offer more beers, they
were responding to the
, part of the external environment.
a.
customers
b.
competition
c.
suppliers
d.
employee-workers
4.
Cost is often a major
for new businesses. Because Jeff and Kim started their
business in their basement, with brewing, bottling, and all production components located
in that space, they were able to overcome that problem.
a.
threat of substitute
b.
barrier to entry
c.
threat of new entrants
d.
threat of competition
5.
At New Belgium Brewing, the firm’s owners had the foresight to understand that in
today’s environment, employees are likely to know more about their specialized area of
expertise than the employer. This is just one example of how building an understanding
of
into the organization’s culture helped the company succeed.
a.
the economy
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b.
c.
d.
technology
the natural environment
social issues or trends
Discussion questions
1.
In every business where an organizational culture exists, that culture can be either strong
or weak. A strong culture can have a great influence on how employees think and behave;
whereas a weak culture can mean different people within the firm hold different values or
principles, and that goals are not congruent across all employees. At New Belgium
Brewing, would you say that the company’s culture is strong or weak? Is it a positive
culture or does it have a negative influence on the firm?
2.
Most companies can be categorized as to whether they emphasize flexibility or control,
and whether the culture’s focus is internal or external to the organization. Diagnose the
type of culture at New Belgium Brewing (and similar firms) according to the corporate
mission, business practices documented in the video, symbols or rites the workers enjoy,
or the stories told by people who work there. Defend your response.
3.
Managing culture can be a great way to influence or react to its environment. It adapts to
the environment by changing the organization itself – internally. In what ways has New
Belgium’s management ensured it will adapt its culture as needed and put the employee’s
focus or emphasis on the right aspects of the macroenvironment?
Other Relevant Chapters:
This video also relates well with the content material found within text Chapter 13: Motivating
for Performance; Chapter 14: Teamwork; and Chapter 15: Communicating.
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