essay questions

Question 1

1. Know and discuss the various factors that influence job satisfaction

Answer 1

Motivation is An internal force that drives a worker to action, as well as any external factors that encourage action and correlates to job performance.

While ability and skill determine if a person can do a job, motivation determines whether a person will do a job properly

Motivation can be achieved through praises, feedback, and financial means such as raises or bonuses

Effective leadership can also influence job satisfaction

And effective group/ coworkers

Question 2

1. Know and discuss the characteristics of poor leaders.

Answer 2

4Unsuccessful Leaders (Hogan, 1989) ❖ Common Causes ❖ Lack of training ❖ Cognitive deficiencies – Do not learn from mistakes, frequently repeat them – Do not think strategically ❖ Personality problems – Paranoid/passive-aggressive (e.g., appear supportive, but stab employees in the back) – High likeability floater (e.g., goes along with group, does not challenge ideas, does not support employees) – Narcissist

Question 3

1. What is group conflict?

Answer 3

Psychological & behavioral reaction to a perception that another person is:  Keeping you from reaching a goal  Taking away your right to behave a certain way  Violating the expectancies of a relationship

Question 4

1. Identify the different types of organizational conflict that exist.

Answer 4

 Functional

 Moderate

 Stimulates new ideas

 Friendly competition

 Enhanced team effectiveness

 Dysfunctional

 Severe

 Keeps people from working well

 High turnover

Question 5

1. What are the five common causes of conflict, as discussed in class?

Answer 5

 Task interdependence

 Performance of group depends on work of individuals

 Competition for resources

 Jobs, raises, promotions, recognition, etc.

 Jurisdictional ambiguity

 Lines of authority/roles unclear

 Communication barriers

 Physical

 Different locations

 Cultural

 Different customs/languages

 Psychological

 Different personalities

Question 6

1. Also, what are typical employee responses to conflict, including ways in which employees can deal with difficult people on the job?

Answer 6

Consequences of Dysfunctional Conflict

Decreased productivity

Low morale

Absenteeism

Stress

Turnover

Law suits

Violence

Dealing with Difficult People

Direct Intervention

address behavior

explain impact of behavior on others

Indirect Intervention

positive feedback when appropriate behavior is used

Direct Coping

separate difficult employee from others

Indirect Coping

provide training to others on dealing with difficult personalities