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Management
, Seventh Edition
Ricky W. Griffin, Texas A&M University
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 |  | Complete Glossary
Below is an alphabetic listing of all glossary terms found throughout the text.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W
-A-
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Absenteeism When an individual does not show up for work
accommodative stance A social responsibility stance in which an organization meets its basic legal and ethical obligations and also goes beyond social obligation in selected cases
accurate information Provides a valid and reliable reflection of reality
acquisition The purchase of a firm by a firm that is considerably larger
action plan A plan used to operationalize any other kind of plan
administrative intensity The degree to which managerial positions are concentrated in staff positions
Administrative management Focuses on managing the total organization
administrative model A decision-making model that argues that decision makers (1) have incomplete and imperfect information, (2) are constrained by bounded rationality, and (3) tend to satisfice when making decisions
adverse impact When minority group members pass a selection standard at a rate less than 80 percent of the pass rate of majority group members
affirmative action Intentionally seeking and hiring qualified or qualifiable employees from racial, sexual, and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in the organization
Age Discrimination in Employment Act Outlaws discrimination against people older than 40 years; passed in 1967, amended in 1978 and 1986
Agreeableness A person's ability to get along with others
Americans With Disabilities Act Prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities
analyzer strategy A strategy in which the firm attempts to maintain its current businesses and to be somewhat innovative in new businesses
areas of management Managers can be differentiated into marketing, financial, operating, human resource, administration, and other areas
artificial intelligence (AI) The construction of computer systems, both hardware and software, to imitate human behavior; that is, to perform physical tasks, use thought processes, and learn
Attitudes Complexes of beliefs and feelings that people have about specific ideas, situations, or other people
Attribution The process of observing behavior and attributing causes to it
audits An independent appraisal of an organization's accounting, financial, and operational systems.
Authoritarianism The extent to which an individual believes that power and status differences are appropriate within hierarchical social systems like organizations
authority Power that has been legitimized by the organization
automation The process of designing work so that it can be completely or almost completely performed by machines
avoidance Used to strengthen behavior by avoiding unpleasant consequences which would result if the behavior were not performed
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backward vertical integration An organization's beginning the business activities formerly conducted by its suppliers
balance sheet List of assets and liabilities of an organization at a specific point in time
BCG matrix A method of evaluating businesses relative to the growth rate of their market and the organization's share of the market
behavior modification, or OB Mod Method for applying the basic elements of reinforcement theory in an organizational setting
behavioral model A model of organization design consistent with the human relations movement and stressing attention to developing work groups and concern with interpersonal processes
Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS) A sophisticated rating method in which supervisors construct a rating scale associated with behavioral anchors
benchmarking The process of learning how other firms do things in an exceptionally high quality manner
benefits Things of value other than compensation that an organization provides to its workers
"Big five" personality traits A popular personality framework based on five key traits
board of directors Governing body elected by a corporation's stockholders charged with overseeing the general management of the firm to ensure that it is being run in a way that best serves the stockholders' interests
bounded rationality A concept suggesting that decision makers are limited by their values and unconscious reflexes, skills, and habits
budget A plan expressed in numerical terms
bureaucracy A model of organization design based on a legitimate and formal system of authority
bureaucratic control A form of organizational control characterized by formal and mechanistic structural arrangements
Burnout A feeling of exhaustion that may develop when someone experiences too much stress for an extended period of time
business plan A document that summarizes the business strategy and structure
business-level strategy The set of strategic alternatives that an organization chooses from as it conducts business in a particular industry or market
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capacity The amount of products, services, or both that can be produced by an organization
cellular layout A physical configuration of facilities used when families of products can follow similar flow paths
centralization The process of systematically retaining power and authority in the hands of higher-level managers
chain of command A clear and distinct line of authority among the positions in an organization
charisma A form of interpersonal attraction that inspires support and acceptance
charismatic leadership Assumes that charisma is an individual characteristic of the leader
Civil Rights Act of 1991 Amends the Original Civil Rights Act, making it easier to bring discrimination lawsuits while also limiting punitive damages
clan control An approach to organizational control based on informal and organic structural arrangements
classical decision model A prescriptive approach to decision making that tells managers how they should make decisions. It assumes that managers are logical and rational and that their decisions will be in the best interests of the organization
closed systems An organizational system that does not interact with its environment
coalition An informal alliance of individuals or groups formed to achieve a common goal
code of ethics A formal, written statement of the values and ethical standards that guide a firm's actions
coercive power The power to force compliance by means of psychological, emotional, or physical threat
Cognitive dissonance Caused when an individual has conflicting attitudes
cohesiveness The extent to which members are loyal and committed to the group; the degree of mutual attractiveness within the group
collective bargaining The process of agreeing on a satisfactory labor contract between management and a union
common strength A skill or capability held by numerous competing firms
communication network The pattern through which the members of a group communicate
communication skills The manager's abilities to both effectively convey ideas and information to others and to effectively receive ideas and information from others
communication The process of transmitting information from one person to another
compensation The financial remuneration given by the organization to its employees in exchange for their work
competitive disadvantage A situation in which an organization is not implementing valuable strategies that are being implemented by competing organizations
competitor An organization that competes with other organizations for resources
complete information Provides the manager with all of the information he or she needs
compressed work schedule Working a full forty-hour week in fewer than the traditional five days
computer assisted manufacturing A technology that relies on computers to design or manufacture products
conceptual skills The manager's ability to think in the abstract
concern for people That part of the Managerial Grid that deals with the human aspects of leader behavior
concern for production That part of the Managerial Grid that deals with the job and task aspects of leader behavior
conflict A disagreement between two or more individuals or groups
Conscientiousness The number of goals on which a person focuses
consideration behavior The behavior of leaders who concern for subordinates and attempt to establish a warm, friendly, and supportive climate
content perspectives Approaches to motivation that try to answer the question "what factor or factors motivate people?"
contingency perspective Suggests that appropriate managerial behavior in a given situation depends on, or is contingent on, a wide variety of elements
contingency planning The determination of alternative courses of action to be taken if an intended plan is unexpectedly disrupted or rendered inappropriate
Contributions What the individual provides to the organization
control standard A target against which subsequent performance will be compares
control The regulation of organizational activities in such a way as to facilitate goal attainment
controller A position in organizations that helps line managers with their control activities
controlling Monitoring organizational progress toward goal attainment
coordination The process of linking the activities of the various departments of the organization
corporate social audit A formal and thorough analysis of the effectiveness of a firm's social performance
corporate-level strategy The set of strategic alternatives that an organization chooses from as it manages its operations simultaneously across several industries and several markets
Creativity The ability of an individual to generate new ideas or to conceive of new perspectives on existing ideas
customer departmentalization Grouping activities to respond to and interact with specific customers or customer groups
customer Whomever pays money to acquire an organization's products or services
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data Raw figures and facts reflecting a single aspect of reality
decentralization The process of systematically delegating power and authority throughout the organization to middle and lower-level managers
decision making Part of the planning process that involves selecting a course of action from a set of alternatives
decision making skills the manager's ability to correctly recognize and define problems and opportunities and to then select an appropriate course of action to solve problems and capitalize on opportunities
decision making The act of choosing one alternative from among a set of alternatives
decision support system (DSS) An interactive system that locates and presents information needed to support the decision-making process
decisional roles The roles of entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator, and negotiator, which primarily relate to making decisions
decision-making process Recognizing and defining the nature of a decision situation, identifying alternatives, choosing the "best" alternative, and putting it into practice
defender strategy A strategy in which the firm focuses on lowering costs and improving the performance of current products
defensive stance A social responsibility stance in which an organization does everything that is required of it legally but nothing more
delegation The process by which a manager assigns a portion of his or her total workload to others
deliberate strategy A plan of action that an organization chooses and implements to support its mission and goals
Delphi group A form of group decision making in which a group is used to achieve a consensus of expert opinion
departmentalization The process of grouping jobs according to some logical arrangement
development Teaching managers and professionals the skills needed for both present and future jobs
diagnostic skills The manager's ability to visualize the most appropriate response to a situation
differentiation Extent to which the organization is broken down into sub-units
differentiation strategy A strategy in which an organization seeks to distinguish itself from competitors through the quality of its products or services
direct investment When a firm headquartered in one country builds or purchases operating facilities or subsidiaries in a foreign country
distinctive competence An organizational strength possessed by only a small number of competing firms
diversification The number of different businesses that an organization is engaged in and the extent to which these businesses are related to one another
diversity and multicultural training Training that is specifically designed to better enable members of an organization to function in a diverse and multiculturalism workforce
diversity Exists in a group or organization when its members differ from one another along one or more important dimensions such as age, gender, or ethnicity
domestic business A business that acquires all of its resources and sells all of its products or services within a single country
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economic community A set of countries that agree to markedly reduce or eliminate trade barriers among its member nations (a formalized market system)
economic dimension The overall health and vitality of the economic system in which the organization operates
effective communication The process of sending a message in such a way that the message received is as close in meaning as possible to the message intended
effective Making the right decisions and successfully implementing them
effective strategy A strategy that promotes a superior alignment between the organization and its environment and the achievement of strategic goals
efficient Using resources wisely and in a cost-effective way
effort-to-performance expectancy The individual's perception of the probability that his or her effort will lead to high performance
emergent strategy A pattern of action that develops over time in an organization in the absence of mission and goals, or despite missions and goals
employee information system (skills inventory) Contains information on each employee's education, skills, experience, and career aspirations; usually computerized
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) Sets standards for pension plan management and provides federal insurance if pension funds go bankrupt
employee-centered leader behavior The behavior of leaders who develop cohesive work groups and ensure employee satisfaction
employment at will A traditional view of the workplace that says organizations can fire their employees for whatever reason they want; recent court judgments are limiting employment at will
empowerment The process of enabling workers to set their own work goals, make decisions, and solve problems within their sphere of responsibility and authority
entrepreneur Someone who engages in entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship The process of planning, organizing, operating, and assuming the risk of a business venture
entropy A normal process leading to system decline
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Charged with enforcing Title VII of the Civil Rights act of 1964
Equal Pay Act of 1963 Requires that men and women be paid the same amount for doing the same jobs
equity theory Suggests that people are motivated to seek social equity in the rewards they receive for performance
ERG theory of motivation Suggests that people's needs are grouped into three possibly overlapping categories--existence, relatedness, and growth
escalation of commitment A decision maker's staying with a decision even when it appears to be wrong
established market A market in which several large firms compete according to rleatively well-defined criteria
ethical behavior Behavior that conforms to generally accepted social norms
ethical compliance The extent to which an organization and its members follow basic ethical standards of behavior
ethics An individual's personal beliefs regarding what is right and wrong or good and bad
ethnicity The ethnic composition of a group or organization
European Union (EU) The first and most important international market system
executive support systems (ESS) A quick-reference, easy-access application of information systems specially designed for instant access by upper-level managers
expectancy theory Suggests that motivation depends on two things--how much we want something and how likely we think we are to get it
expert power The personal power that accrues to someone based on the information or expertise that they possess
export restraint agreements Accords reached by governments in which countries voluntarily limit the volume or value of goods they export and import from one another
exporting Making a product in the firm's domestic marketplace and selling it in another country
external environment Everything outside an organization's boundaries that might affect it
external recruiting Getting people from outside the organization to apply for jobs
extinction Used to weaken undesired behaviors by simply ignoring or not reinforcing that behavior
extranets A communication network that allows selected outsiders limited access to an organization’s internal information system, or intranet
Extraversion a person's comfort level with relationships
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facilities The physical locations where products or services are created, stored, and distributed
Fair Labor Standards Act Sets a minimum wage and requires overtime pay for work in excess of forty hours per week; passed in 1938 and amended frequently since then
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 Requires employers to provide up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave for family and medical emergencies
financial control Concerned with the organization’s financial resources
financial control Concerned with the organization's financial resources
financial statement A profile of some aspect of an organization's financial circumstances
firewalls Software and hardware systems that allow employees access to both the Internet and the company’s internal computer network while barring access by outsiders
first-mover advantage Any advantage that comes to a firm because it exploits an opportunity before any other firm does
five competitive forces The threat of new entrants, competitive rivalry, the threat of substitute products, the power of buyers, and the power of suppliers
fixed-interval schedules Provide reinforcement at fixed intervals of time, such as regular weekly pay checks
fixed-position layout A physical configuration of facilities arranged around a single work area; used for the manufacture of large and complex products such as airplanes
fixed-ratio schedules Provide reinforcement after a fixed number of behaviors regardless of the time interval involved, such as a bonus for every fifth sale
flexible work schedules, or flextime Allowing employees to select, within broad parameters, the hours they work
focus strategy A strategy in which an organization concentrates on a specific regional market, product line, or group of buyers
forward vertical integration An organization's beginning the business activities formerly conducted by its customers
franchising agreement A contract between an entrepreneur (the franchisee) and a parent company (the franchiser); the entrepreneur pays the parent company for the use of the trademarks, products, formulas, and business plans
functional departmentalization Grouping jobs involving the same or similar activities
functional group A group created by the organization to accomplish a number of organizational purposes with an indefinite time horizon
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GE Business Screen A method of evaluating businesses along two dimensions: (1) industry attractiveness and (2) competitive position; in general, the more attractive the industry and the more competitive the position, the more an organization should invest in a business
General Adaptation Syndrome General cycle of the stress process
general environment The set of broad dimensions and forces in an organization's surroundings that create its overall context
glass ceiling A perceived barrier that exists in some organizations that presumably keeps women from advancing to top management positions
global business A business that transcends national boundaries and is not committed to a single home country
goal orientation the manner in which people are motivated to work toward different kinds of goals
grapevine An informal communication network among people in an organization
grievance procedure The means by which a labor contract is enforced
group Consists of two or more people who interact regularly to accomplish a common purpose or goal
groupthink A situation that occurs when a group or team's desire for consensus and cohesiveness overwhelms its desire to reach the best possible decision
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H-form or conglomerate Used by an organization made up of a set of unrelated businesses
horizontal communication Communication that flows laterally within the organization; it involves colleagues and peers at the same level of the organization and may involve individuals from several different organizational units
human relations movement Argued that workers respond primarily to the social context of the workplace
human resource management The set of organizational activities directed at attracting, developing, and maintaining an effective workforce
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importing Bringing a good, service, or capital into the home country from abroad
impression management A direct and intentional effort by someone to enhance his or her image in the eyes of others
incentive system A reward system whereby people get different pay amounts at each pay period in proportion to what they do
income statement A summary of financial performance over a period of time
incremental innovation A new product, service, or technology that modifies an existing one
Individual differences Personal attributes that vary from one person to another
Inducements What the organization provides to the individual
informal leader A person who engages in leadership activities but whose right to do so has not been formally recognized by the organization or group
informal or interest group Created by its members for purposes that may or may not be relevant to those of the organization
information Data presented in a way or form that has meaning
information technology Refers to the resources used by an organization to manage information that it needs to carry out its mission
informational roles The roles of monitor, disseminator, and spokesperson, which involve the processing of information
infrastructure The schools, hospitals, power plants, railroads, highways, ports, communication systems, air fields, and commercial distribution systems of a country
initiating-structure behavior The behavior of leaders who define the leader-subordinate role so that everyone knows what is expected, establishing formal lines of communication, and determine how tasks will be performed
innovation The managed effort of an organization to develop new products or services or new uses for existing products or services
integration Degree to which the various sub-units must work together in a coordinated fashion
interacting group or team A decision-making group or team in which members openly discuss, argue about, and agree on the best alternative
interest group A group formed by its own individual members to attempt to influence business
intermediate plan A plan that generally covers from one to five years
internal environment The conditions and forces within an organization
internal recruiting Considering current employees as applicants for higher-level jobs in the organization
international business A business that is primarily based in a single country but acquires some meaningful share of its resources or revenues (or both) from other countries
international dimension The extent to which an organization is involved in or affected by business in other countries
Internet (Net) A gigantic network of networks serving millions of computers offering information on business, science, and government and providing communication flows among more than 170,000 separate networks around the world
Internet Service Provider (ISP) A commercial firm that maintains a permanent connection to the Net and sells temporary connections to subscribers
interpersonal roles The roles of figurehead, leader, and liaison, which involve dealing with other people
interpersonal skills The ability to communicate with, understand, and motivate both individuals and groups
intranet A communication network similar to the internet but operating within the boundaries of a single organization
intrapreneurs Similar to entrepreneurs except that they develop a new business in the context of a large organization
intuition An innate belief about something without conscious consideration
inventory control Managing the organization's raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and products in-transit
ISO 9000 A set of quality standards created by the International Organization for Standardization
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job analysis A systematized procedure for collecting and recording information about jobs
job characteristics approach An alternative to job specialization that suggests that jobs should be diagnosed and improved along five core dimensions, taking into account both the work system and employee preferences
job design The determination of an individual's work-related responsibilities
job enlargement An alternative to job specialization that involves giving the employee more tasks to perform
job enrichment An alternative to job specialization that involves increasing both the number of tasks the worker does and the control the worker has over the job
job evaluation An attempt to assess the worth of each job relative to other jobs
job rotation An alternative to job specialization that involves systematically moving employees from one job to another
Job satisfaction or dissatisfaction An attitude that reflects the extent to which an individual is gratified by or fulfilled in his or her work
job sharing When two part-time employees share one full-time job.
job specialization The degree to which the overall task of the organization is broken down and divided into smaller component parts
job-centered leader behavior The behavior of leaders who pay close attention to the job and work procedures involved with that job
joint ventures A special type of strategic alliance when the partners share in the ownership of an operation on an equity basis
just-in-time (JIT) method An inventory system that has necessary materials arriving as soon as they are needed (just in time) so that the production process is not interrupted
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knowledge workers Specialists, usually professionally-trained and certified—engineers, scientists, information technology specialists, psychologists—who rely on information technology to design new products or create new business processes
knowledge workers Works whose contributions to an organization are based on what they know
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labor relations The process of dealing with employees when they are represented by union
Labor-Management Relations Act Passed in 1947 to limit union power; also known as the Taft-Hartley Act
layout The physical configuration of facilities, the arrangement of equipment within facilities, or both
leader-member exchange (lmx) approach Stresses that leaders have different kinds of relationships with different subordinates
leaders People who can influence the behaviors of others without having to rely on force; those accepted by others as leaders
leadership As a process, the use of noncoercive influence to shape the group's or organization's goals, motivate behavior toward the achievement of those goals, and help define group or organization culture; as a property, the set of characteristics attributed to individuals who are perceived to be leaders
leading The set of processes used to get members of the organization to work together to further the interests of the organization
learning organization One that works to facilitate the lifelong learning and personal development of all of its employees while continually transforming itself to respond to changing demands and needs
least preferred co-worker (LPC) The measuring scale that asks leaders to describe the person with whom he or she is able to work least well
legal compliance The extent to which an organization complies with local, state, federal, and international laws
legitimate power Power granted through the organizational hierarchy; it is the power defined by the organization that is to be accorded people occupying particular positions
levels of management The differentiation of managers into three basic categories--top, middle, and first-line
licensing An arrangement whereby one company allows another company to use its brand name, trademark, technology, patent, copyright, or other assets in exchange for a royalty based on sales
line position A position in the direct chain of command that is responsible for the achievement of an organization's goals
lobbying The use of persons or groups to formally represent a company or group of companies before political bodies to influence legislation
location departmentalization Grouping jobs on the basis of defined geographic sites or areas
location The physical positioning or geographic site of facilities
Locus of control The degree to which an individual believes that behavior has a direct impact on the consequences of that behavior
long-range plan A plan that covers many years, perhaps even decades; common long-range plans are for five years or more
LPC theory A theory of leadership that suggests that the appropriate style of leadership varies with situational favorableness
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Machiavellianism Behavior directed at gaining power and controlling the behavior of others
Malcolm Balridge Award Named after a former Secretary of Commerce, this prestigious award is given to firms that achieve major quality improvements
management A set of activities (including planning and decision making, organizing, leading, and controlling) directed at an organization's resources (human, financial, physical, and information), with the aim of achieving organizational goals in an efficient and effective manner
management by objectives (MBO) A formal goal setting process involving collaboration between managers and subordinates; the extent to which goals are accomplished is a major factor in evaluating and rewarding the subordinate's performance
management by wandering around An approach to communication that involves the manager literally wandering around and having spontaneous conversations with others
management information system (MIS) Supports an organization’s managers by providing daily reports, schedules, plans, and budgets
management science Focuses specifically on the development of mathematical models
manager Someone whose primary responsibility is to carry out management process
managerial ethics Standards of behavior that guide individual managers in their work
managerial innovation A change in the management process in an organization
manufacturing A form of business that combines and transforms resource inputs into tangible outcomes
maquiladoras Light assembly plants built in northern Mexico close to the U.S. border that are given special tax breaks by the Mexican government
market economy An economy based on the private ownership of business and allows market factors such as supply and demand to determine business strategy
market systems Clusters of countries that engage in high levels of trade with each other
Maslow's hierarchy of needs Suggests that people must satisfy five groups of needs in order--physiological, security, belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization
matrix design Based on two overlapping bases of departmentalization
mechanistic organization Similar to the bureaucratic or System 1 model, most frequently found in stable environments
merger The purchase of one firm by another firm of approximately the same size
merit system A reward system whereby people get different pay raises at the end of the year depending on their overall job performance
M-Form or divisional design Based on multiple businesses in related areas operating within a larger organizational framework
mission A statement of an organization's fundamental purpose
motivation The set of forces that cause people to behave in certain ways
multicultural organization An organization that has achieved high levels of diversity, is able to fully capitalize on the advantages of diversity, and which has few diversity-related problems.
multiculturalism The broad issues associated with differences in values, beliefs, behaviors, customs, and attitudes held by people in different cultures.
multinational business One that has a worldwide marketplace from which it buys raw materials, borrows money, and manufactures its products and to which it subsequently sells its products
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National Labor Relations Act Passed in 1935 to set up procedures for employees to vote whether to have a union; also known as the Wagner Act
National Labor Relations Board Established by the Wagner Act to enforce its provisions
nationalized To be taken over by the government
need for achievement The desire to accomplish a goal or task more effectively than in the past
need for affiliation The desire for human companionship and acceptance
need for power The desire to be influential in a group and to control one's environment
Negative affectivity A tendency to be generally downbeat and pessimistic, see things in a negative way, and seem to be in a bad mood
Negative emotionality Extent to which a person is poised, calm, resilient and secure
niche A segment of a market not currently being exploited
nominal group A structured technique used to generate creative and innovative alternatives or ideas
nonprogrammed decision A decision that is relatively unstructured; occurs much less often than a programmed decision
nonverbal communication Any communication exchange that does not use words or that uses words to carry more meaning than the strict definition of the words themselves
norms Standards of behavior that the group accepts and expects of its members
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) An agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico to promote trade with one another
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obstructionist stance An approach to social responsibility in which firms do as little as possible to solve social or environmental problems
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 Directly mandates the provision of safe working conditions
open system An organizational system that interacts with its environment
Openness A person's rigidity of beliefs and range of interests
operational goal A goal set by and for lower-level managers of the organization
operational plan Focuses on carrying out tactical plans to achieve operational goals
operations control Focuses on the processes the organization uses to transform resources into products or services
operations management Concerned with helping the organization more efficiently produce its products or services
operations management The total set of managerial activities used by an organization to transform resource inputs into products, services or both
optimizing Balancing and reconciling possible conflicts among goals
oral communication Face-to-face conversation, group discussions, telephone calls, and other circumstances in which the spoken word is used to transmit meaning
organic organization Very flexible and informal model of organization design, most often found in unstable and unpredictable environments
organization A group of people working together in structured and coordinated fashion to achieve a set of goals
organization change Any substantive modification to some part of the organization
organization culture The set of values, beliefs, behaviors, customs, and attitudes that helps an organization's members understand what it stands for, how it does things, and what it considers important.
organization design The overall set of structural elements and the relationships among those elements used to manage the total organization
organization development An effort that is planned, organization wide, and managed from the top; it is intended to increase organization effectiveness and health through planned interventions in the organization's process, using behavioral science knowledge
organization structure The set of elements that can be used to configure an organization
organizational behavior Contemporary field focusing on behavioral perspectives on management
Organizational citizenship The behavior of individuals that makes a positive overall contribution to the organization
Organizational commitment An attitude that reflects an individual's identification with and attachment to the organization itself
organizational life cycle Progression through which organizations evolve as they grown and mature
organizational opportunity An area in the environment that, if exploited, may generate high performance
organizational size Total number of full-time or full-time-equivalent employees
organizational stakeholders People and organizations who are directly affected by the behaviors of an organization and who have a stake in its performance
organizational strengths A skill or capability that enables an organization to conceive of and implement its strategies
organizational threat An area in the environment that increases the difficulty of an organization is achieving high performance
organizational weakness A skill or capability that does not enable an organization to choose and implement strategies that support its mission
organizing Deciding how best to group organizational activities and resources
organizing Grouping activities and resources in a logical fashion
outcomes Consequences of behaviors in an organizational setting, usually rewards
outsourcing Sub-contracting services and operations to other firms that can perform them cheaper and/or better
overall cost leadership strategy A strategy in which an organization attempts to gain a competitive advantage by reducing its costs below the costs of competing firms
owner Whomever can claim property rights on an organization
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Pacific Asia A market system located in Southeast Asia
participation The process of giving employees a voice in making decisions about their own work
path-goal theory A theory of leadership suggesting that the primary functions of a leader are to make valued or desired rewards available in the workplace and to clarify for the subordinate the kinds of behavior that will lead to those rewards
Perception The set of processes by which an individual becomes aware of and interprets information about the environment
performance appraisal A formal assessment of how well an employee is doing his or her job
Performance behaviors The total set of work-related behaviors that the organization expects the individual to display
performance-to-outcome expectancy The individual's perception that her or his performance will lead to a specific outcome
Personality The relatively permanent set of psychological and behavioral attributes that distinguish one person from another
Person-job fit The extent to which the contributions made by the individual match the inducements offered by the organization
philanthropic giving Awarding funds or gifts to charities or worthy causes
planned change Change that is designed and implemented in an orderly and timely fashion in anticipation of future events
planning Setting an organization's goals and deciding how best to achieve them
policy A standing plan that specifies the organization's general response to a designated problem or situation
political action committee (PAC) An organization created to solicit and distribute money to political candidates
political behavior The activities carried out for the specific purpose of acquiring, developing, and using power and other resources to obtain one's preferred outcomes
political-legal dimension The government regulation of business and the general relationship between business and government
pooled interdependence when units operate with little interactions, their output is simply pooled.
portfolio management technique A method that diversified organizations use to determine which businesses to engage in and how to manage these businesses to maximize corporate performance
Positive affectivity A tendency to be relatively upbeat and optimistic, have an overall sense of well-being, see things in a positive light, and seem to be in a good mood
positive reinforcement A method of strengthening behavior with rewards or positive outcomes after a desired behavior is performed
postaction control Monitors the outputs or results of the organization after the transformation process is complete
power orientation the beliefs that people in a culture hold about the appropriateness of power and authority differences in hierarchies such as business organizations
power The ability to affect the behavior of others
preliminary control Attempts to monitor the quality or quantity of financial, physical, human, and information resources before they actually become part of the system
proactive stance A social responsibility stance in which an organization views itself as a citizen in a society and proactively seeks opportunities to contribute to that society
process innovation A change in the way a product or service is manufactured, created, or distributed
process layout A physical configuration of facilities arranged around the process; used in facilities that create or process a variety of products
process perspectives Approaches to motivation that focus on why people choose certain behavioral options to fulfill their needs and how they evaluate their satisfaction after they have attained these goals
product departmentalization Grouping activities around products or product groups
product innovation A change in the physical characteristics of a product or service or the creation of a new one
product layout A physical configuration of facilities arranged around the product; used when large quantities of a single product are needed
product life cycle A model that portrays how sales volume for products changes over the life of products
productivity An economic measure of efficiency that summarizes what is produced relative to resources used to produce it
product-service mix How many and what kinds of products or services (or both) to offer
program A single-use plan for a large set of activities
programmed decision A decision that is fairly structured or recurs with some frequency (or both)
project A single-use plan of less scope and complexity than a program
prospector strategy A strategy in which the firm encourages creativity and flexibility and is often decentralized
Psychological contract The overall set of expectations held by an individual with respect to what he or she will contribute to the organization and what the organization will provide to the individual
punishment Used to weaken undesired behaviors by using negative outcomes or unpleasant consequences when the behavior is performed
purchasing management Buying materials and resources needed to produce products and services
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quality The totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs
quantitative management perspective Applies quantitative techniques to management
quota A limit on the number or value of goods that can be traded
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radical innovation A new product, service, or technology, that completely replaces an existing one
ratio analysis The calculation of one or more financial ratios to assess some aspect of the organization's financial health
reaction plan A plan developed to react to an unforeseen circumstance
reactive change A piecemeal response to circumstances as they develop
reactor strategy A strategy in which a firm has no consistent approach to strategy
realistic job preview (RJP) Provides the applicant with a real picture of what performing the job the organization is trying to fill would be like
Reciprocal interdependence when activities flow both ways between units.
recruiting The process of attracting individuals to apply for jobs that are open
reengineering The radical redesign of all aspects of a business to achieve major gains in cost, service, or time
referent power The personal power that accrues to someone based on identification, imitation, loyalty, or charisma
regulation Government's attempts to influence business by establishing laws and rules that dictate what businesses can and cannot do in prescribed areas
regulator A unit that has the potential to control, legislate, or otherwise influence the organization's policies and practices
regulatory agency An agency created by the government to regulate business activities
reinforcement perspective Approach to motivation that explains the role of rewards as they cause behavior to change or remain the same over time
related diversification A strategy in which an organization operates in several businesses that are somehow linked with one another
relevant information Assures managers that the information is useful to them in their particular circumstances for their particular needs
replacement chart Lists each important managerial position in the organization, who occupies it, how long he or she will probably remain in the position, and who is or will be a qualified replacement
resource deployment How an organization distributes its resources across the areas in which it competes
reward power The power to give or withhold rewards, such as salary increases, bonuses, promotions, praise, recognition, and interesting job assignments
reward systems The formal and informal mechanisms by which employee performance is defined, evaluated, and rewarded
Risk propensity The degree to which an individual is willing to take chances and make risky decisions
risk propensity The extent to which a decision maker is willing to gamble in making a decision
robot Any artificial device that is able to perform functions ordinarily thought to be appropriate for human beings
role ambiguity Arises when the sent role is unclear and the individual does not know what is expected of him or her
role conflict Occurs when the messages and cues comprising the sent role are clear but contradictory or mutually exclusive
role overload Occurs when expectations for the role exceed the individual's capabilities to perform
role structure The set of defined roles and interrelationships among those roles that the group members define and accept
roles The parts individuals play in groups in helping the group reach its goals
rules and regulations Describe exactly how specific activities are to be carried out
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satisficing The tendency to search for alternatives only until one is found that meets some minimum standard of sufficiency
scientific management Concerned with improving the performance of individual workers
scope When applied to strategy, it specifies the range of markets in which an organization will compete
screening control Relies heavily on feedback processes during the transformation process
Selective perception The process of screening out information that we are uncomfortable with or which contradicts our beliefs
Self-efficacy An individual's beliefs about her or his capabilities to perform a task
Self-esteem The extent to which a person believes that he or she is a worthwhile and deserving individual
sequential interdependence when the output of one unit becomes the input of another in sequential fashion.
service organization An organization that transforms resources into services
short-range plan A plan that generally covers a span of one year or less
single-product strategy A strategy in which an organization manufactures just one product or service and sells it in a single geographic market
single-use plan Developed to carry out a course of action that is not likely to be repeated in the future
situational view of organization design Based on the assumption that the optimal design for any given organization depends on a set of relevant situational factors
small business A business that is privately owned by one individual or a small group of individuals; it has sales and assets that are not large enough to influence its environment
social orientation A person's beliefs about the relative importance of the individual versus groups to which that person belongs
social responsibility The set of obligations an organization has to protect and enhance the societal context in which it functions
socialization Generalized norm conformity that occurs as a person makes the transition from being an outsider to being an insider in the organization
sociocultural dimension The customs, mores, values, and demographic characteristics of the society in which the organization functions
soldiering Employees deliberately working at a slow pace
span of management The number of people who report to a particular manager
speed The time needed by the organization to get its activities, including developing, making, and distributing products or services accomplished
staff position A position Intended to provide expertise, advice, and support for line positions
standard operating procedure (SOP) A standing plan that outlines the steps to be followed in a particular circumstance
standing plan Developed for activities that recur regularly over a period of time
state of certainty A condition in which the decision maker knows with reasonable certainty what the alternatives are and what conditions are associated with each alternative
state of risk A condition in which the availability of each alternative and its potential payoffs and costs are all associated with probability estimates
state of uncertainty A condition in which the decision maker does not know all the alternatives, the risks associated with each, or the consequences each alternative is likely to have
statistical quality control (SQC) A set of specific statistical techniques that can be used to monitor quality; includes acceptance sampling and in-process sampling
steps in rational decision making Recognize and define the decision situation; identify appropriate alternatives; evaluate each alternative in terms of its feasibility, satisfactoriness, and consequences; select the best alternative; implement the chosen alternative; follow-up and evaluate the results of the chosen alternative
Stereotyping The process of categorizing or labelling people on the basis of a single attribute
strategic alliances A cooperative arrangement between two or more firms for mutual benefit
strategic control Focuses on how effectively the organization's strategies are succeeding in helping the organization meet its goals
strategic controls Control aimed at insuring that the organization is maintaining an effective alignment with its environment and moving toward achieving its strategic goals
strategic goal A goal set by and for top management of the organization
strategic imitation The practice of duplicating another organization's distinctive competence and thereby implementing a valuable strategy
strategic management A comprehensive and ongoing management process aimed at formulating and implementing effective strategies; it is a way of approaching business opportunities and challenges
strategic partner or ally An organization working together with one or more other organizations in a joint venture or similar arrangement
strategic plan A general plan outlining decisions of resource allocation, priorities, and action steps necessary to reach strategic goals
strategy A comprehensive plan for accomplishing an organization's goals
strategy formulation The set of processes involved in creating or determining the strategies of the organization; it focuses on the content of strategies
strategy implementation The methods by which strategies are operationalized or executed within the organization; it focuses on the processes through which strategies are achieved
Stress An individual's response to a strong stimulus, which is called a stressor
structural control Concerned with how the elements of the organization's structure are serving their intended purpose
substitutes for leadership A concept that identifies situations in which leader behaviors are neutralized or replaced by characteristics of subordinates, the task, and the organization
subsystem A system within another system
supplier An organization that provides resources for other organizations
supply chain management The process of managing operations control, resource acquisition, and inventory so as to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness
sustained competitive advantage A competitive advantage that exists after all attempts at strategic imitation have ceased
SWOT An acronym that stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
synergy Two or more subsystems working together to produce more than the total of what they might produce working alone
System 1 design Similar to the bureaucratic model
System 4 design Similar to behavioral model
system An interrelated set of elements functioning as a whole
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tactical goal A goal set by and for middle managers of the organization
tactical plan A plan aimed at achieving tactical goals and is developed to implement parts of a strategic plan
tariff A tax collected on goods shipped across national boundaries
task environment Specific organizations or groups that affect the organization
task group A group created by the organization to accomplish a relatively narrow range of purposes within a stated or implied time horizon
team A group of workers that functions as a unit, often with little or no supervision, to carry out work-related tasks, functions, and activities
team organization An approach to organization design that relies almost exclusively on project-type teams, with little or no underlying functional hierarchy.
technical innovation A change in appearance or performance of products or services or the physical processes through which a product or service passes
technical skills The skills necessary to accomplish or understand tasks relevant to the organization
technological dimension The methods available for converting resources into products or services
technology Conversion processes used to transform inputs into outputs
technology The set of processes and systems used by organizations to convert resources into products or services
telecommuting Allowing employees to spend part of their time working off-site, usually at home
the behavioral management perspective Emphasizes individual attitudes and behaviors and group processes
the classical management perspective Consists of two distinct branches--scientific management and administrative management
Theory X A pessimistic and negative view of workers consistent with the views of scientific management
Theory Y A positive view of workers; it represents the assumptions that human relations advocates make
time management skills the manager's ability to prioritize work, to work efficiently, and to delegate appropriately
time orientation the extent to which members of a culture adopt a long term versus a short term outlook on work, life, and other elements of society.
timely information Available in time for appropriate managerial action
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Forbids discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin in all areas of the employment relationship
total quality management (TQM) A strategic commitment by top management to change its whole approach to business to make quality a guiding factor in everything it does
training Teaching operational or technical employees how to do the job for which they were hired
transaction processing system (TPS) Applications of information-processing for basic day-to-day business transactions
transformational leadership Leadership that goes beyond ordinary expectations by transmitting a sense of mission, stimulating learning experiences, and inspiring new ways of thinking
Turnover When people quit their jobs
two-factor theory of motivation Suggests that people's satisfaction and dissatisfaction are influenced by two independent sets of factors--motivation factors and hygiene factors
Type A Individuals who are extremely competitive, very devoted to work, and have a strong sense of time urgency
Type B Individuals who are less competitive, less devoted to work, and have a weaker sense of time urgency
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U-form or functional design Based on the functional approach to departmentalization
uncertainty A major force caused by change and complexity that affects many organizational activities
uncertainty orientation the feeling individuals have regarding uncertain and ambiguous situations
unethical behavior Behavior that does not conform to generally accepted social norms
universal perspective An attempt to identify the one best way to do something
unrelated diversification A strategy in which an organization operates several businesses that are not associated with one another
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valence An index of how much an individual desires a particular outcome; it is the attractiveness of the outcome to the individual
validation Determining the extent to which a selection device is really predictive of future job performance
variable-interval schedules Provide reinforcement at varying intervals of time, such as occasional visits by the supervisor
variable-ratio schedules Provide reinforcement after varying numbers of behaviors are performed, such as the use of complements by a supervisor on an irregular basis
venture capital company A group of small investors seeking to make profits on companies with rapid growth potential
vertical communication Communication that flows up and down the organization usually along formal reporting lines; it takes place between managers and their subordinates and may involve several different levels of the organization
virtual organization One that has little or no formal structure.
Vroom’s decision tree approach Predicts what kinds of situations call for what degrees of group participation
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web browser The software that enables the user to access information on the Web
whistle blowing The disclosing by an employee of illegal or unethical conduct on the part of others within the organization
work team An alternative to job specialization that allows an entire group to design the work system it will use to perform an interrelated set of tasks
Workplace behavior A pattern of action by the members of an organization that directly or indirectly influences organizational effectiveness
World Wide Web (WWW) A system with universally accepted standards for storing, retrieving, formatting, and displaying information
written communication Memos, letters, reports, notes, and other circumstances in which the written word is used to transmit meaning
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There are no glossary terms for X.
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There are no glossary terms for Y.
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There are no glossary terms for Z.
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