Introduction

Question 0

Management definition

Answer 0

The activity that performs functions for the effective acquisition, allocation and utilization of human efforts and physical resources to accomplish a goal

Question 1

The MIAO organization characteristics

Answer 1

Fixed times - Anytime
Structured - Flexible
Collocated - Networked
Fixed - Mobile

Question 2

Organization definition

Answer 2

Arranged framework that relates people, things, knowledge and technologies in a design intended to achieve specific goals

Question 3

Origin and reason of organization

Answer 3

Scarce resources and hostility
People have economic, social, political needs
People form economic, social, political organizations
Management facilitates the satisfaction of those needs

Question 4

Industrialization (Workshops to companies)

Answer 4

Workshops: family influence, direct control, small, direct liability

New companies: alien people, employees, suppliers, hierarchy, need for coordination, control, communication, planning, limited liability

Question 5

Views of theory and practice

Answer 5

3 views:
1 Theory and practice are isolated
2 Theory guides practice
3 Theory is build on practice and Practice uses the theory (cycle)

Question 6

What is Science?

Answer 6

Systematic organization of knowledge and its purpose.

Question 7

Characteristics of Positivism (or Modern perspective)

Answer 7

Realism, objectively
Verify/falsify the truth
Based on facts (quantitative)
Linear

Question 8

The Organization according to the positivism paradigm.

Answer 8

Is objective, a real entity.
A system of decision and action (Inputs-Outputs)
Driven by rationality, efficiency and effectiveness to achieve goals.

Question 9

Characteristics of Interpretivism (or Symbolic perspective)

Answer 9

Subjective reality
Truth is constructed by context
Bias by the observer
Qualitative
Circular

Question 10

The Organization according to the Interpretivism paradigm.

Answer 10

Organizations are contexts re-constructed by interactions.
Socially constructed realities.
Web of meanings -> Bonds of emotion -> Symbolic connection of members

Question 11

What is convergent thinking?

Answer 11

Finding a best solution (A or B)

Question 12

What is divergent thinking?

Answer 12

Finding unique solutions that could fit in different scenarios.

Question 13

What is a Metaphor? (characteristics)

Answer 13

A figure of speech, to compare 2 unlike entities.
Attempt to understand one element in terms of another.
It is one-sided (many aspects are excluded).
Involves simplification.
Creates distortion.

Question 14

Main takeways from “The McUniversity” reading

Answer 14

• Transition from “medieval oxBridge” to new HEI
• Mass provision of HE
• Overall “McDonaldization”
• Political and institutional changes increased the power of universities’ management
• More competition for fundings
• Management through bureaucracy, accountability
• A new view of Professional Academics (less autonomy, as educational consultants)
• Funding conditioned to economic relevance for national performance

Question 15

The term: “McDonaldization” refers to:

Answer 15

Achievement of objectives through: efficiency, calculability, standardization and control.

Question 16

List the 4 main organizational metaphors

(the ones covered in the lecture):

Answer 16

Organizations as:
Machines
Social spaces
Culture
Political arenas