Organizational Behavior of Microsoft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Organizational Behavior of Microsoft - Essay Example This essay focuses on presenting a worlwide known company, that was established in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Microsoft Corporation rapidly has made its place as a global information technology (IT) leaders and is an inspiration for many, and not just for people in this field, but also an awe-revering unit for those who wish to study organizational behaviour and structure as sound as this. Many studies have been done in this regard, and since the start, Microsoft has been one of the corporations to maintain a sound organizational structure. This is the purpose of this essay, which explores how Microsoft has struggled to continually improve not just its products and IT software, but has also come up as an exemplary organization in terms of structure, leadership, administration and management. The researcher focuses on analyzing various features of the company. The essay gives an overview of the company, presents it's mission and vision, explores it's values and business strate gies, such as Representation: Building a Pipeline of Future Leaders and Innovation: Driving Market Excellence. The researcher also explores responsibility and it's subtopics for the company, such as Financial Integrity and Transparency, Use and Protection of Assets and Information Technology, Fiscal Responsibility, Use of Software, Confidentiality of Information and Responsibility Globally. Honesty, respect, leadership, training and development, communication, teamwork and recognition topics are also presented in details.

Management Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Management Journal - Essay Example Kelvin said that he was not aware because he was a new employee at the company. I told him to always ensure that he plan his time effectively to ensure that he perform significant tasks before others. I advised the employee because I knew that effective management of time leads to the success of the business (Koontz and Weihrich 67). I also talked to the employee because I knew that it was my role as the manager of the company. September 3 2013 Management is a challenging task because it involves balancing work and family functions and time. I thought about this statement when I discovered that today was the twentieth anniversary of the company, and at the same time, it was my first born’s birthday. I was stressed while thinking of how I would ensure that I attend the two functions and satisfy the company and my family. I had to think of an effective plan that would help me manage the day’s time efficiently, although it was a bit challenging. I thought of a plan where I would attend the company’s function in the day as my family prepares for an evening party for my son. The plan was successful, and both teams were satisfied with my attendance. I played the role of a father and manager at the same time. Before I was promoted to be a manager, I had heard supervisors talking about how they had difficulties balancing time and work. Today I followed their advice, and I found out that balancing work and family increases satisfaction, and it reduces stress (Koontz and Weihrich 195). September 4 2013 Today, I had a conference with all employees, and the aim of the meeting was to remind them the goals of the company. I have always known that communication is vital in the management because it informs workers about the goals to pursue, the tasks to undertake, and the techniques to utilize (Koontz and Weihrich 199). I have also read numerous books that argue that managers must possess effective communication skills so that they can lead others in the right direction. This was my first day to talk to the employees as a manager, and I had to ensure that I pass the company’s message clearly. Before attending the meeting, I read a book that pointed out various forms of communication. The book argued that communications between managers and employees takes place through bottom-up or top-down approaches. Top-down involves supervisors passing information to employees at lower levels; company objectives may be communicated using this approach. Bottom-up technique is one where employees speak to managers often when giving feedback (Koontz and Weihrich 100). The readings gave me confidence, and I attended the conference and passed the information to workers clearly. The day was successful, and my confidence increased when other managers said that I had excellent communication skills. September 5 2013 Today, one of my employees approached me and said that she had a problem coping with her workmate who was uncooperative. The two perf orm their tasks in one office where they file company documents. Mary, the employee who approached me said that Annette spent most of her time on the phone instead of working. This increases Mary’s workload, and she leaves the office late every day. I confirmed this from other workers, and I also checked the register and found out that Mary leaves the office three hours after the closing time. I knew this was a problem, and I had to solve it intelligently to ensure that the two get satisfied with the solution (Koontz and Weihr

Organizational Design Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Organizational Design Analysis - Essay Example From over 100 manufacturers for customers to choose from, Rock Auto is able to ship thousands of auto parts to every continent in the world, with the exception of APO/FPO addresses and Antarctica. Rock Auto is able to position themselves high above their competitors, by offering auto parts and applications for car models from the 1940’s to the newest models of cars. They also built their database using data obtained directly from the manufacturers, giving flexibility and variety to all customers. I had the opportunity to interview four employees: Senior level; Jim Taylor (President), Sandra Taylor (VP Customer Service) Midlevel; Serena Johnson (HR Manager), Lower level; Nicole Evans (CSR). As with any other business, they are in business to bring in a profit and fulfill the needs of customers searching for auto parts.   They are able to bring in high profits, due to the fact, they hold no inventory, and all merchandise is sent directly to the customer from one of their contr acted distributors. Rock Autos organizational philosophy stems from providing exceptional customer service, where responsiveness to the customer is a top priority. Their strategy has a long-term focus to earn customers trust and respecting customer’s time, maintaining a strict and high standard of excellence and no nonsense policy for all employees to adhere too. Rock Auto is a small organization with less than 100 employees. There are currently 97 employees total. Thirty-five are full-time, including senior management and 62 are part-time employees all mid to lower level. The CSR’s, manufacturers and its technology are the most important components to the company and its environment. The number of important components is large in relation to the company in its entirety. In regards to the technology and manufacturers, they can change very slowly as we have been working with some of the same manufacturers since our opening in 1999. Serena Johnson stated that their techn ology has not changed much as they use the internet, email and soft pads for all correspondence between their customers, shippers, distributors and manufacturers, we may upgrade to a higher level of internet speed, to ensure accuracy and efficiency. The company’s dominant technology is the computer systems and the internet. Jim Taylor stated, â€Å"We use email and e-commerce to transform our inputs, which would allow the customer to place an order, via email, our website or call one of our CRS’s. Once the order is placed, the CSR confirms the parts are available and our distributors ship the orders (outputs) to the customers.† All of the four agreed that they would characterize Rock Autos’ environment as certain. As all the information, from the results and alternatives in regards to decision making, is always made available to all employees. Two of the three interviewed stated that the company is flexible to respond to environmental changes and have bee n doing a great job. The other two seem to feel that the company is too rigid, in relation to its application of rules and procedures with the CSRs. The CRS are supposed to have ability for daily decision making related to their jobs, such as choice of schedule, vacation time, and sick leave and in relation to decisions concerning customers, such as credits, refunds and returns. Even though, Rock Auto provides a â€Å"trust system† in regards to employee time sheets, prior to receiving a paycheck, HR, will go over each time

Supreme Court of the United States Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Supreme Court of the United States - Assignment Example ?s case is consistent with ‘narrowly tailored’ use to achieve diversity and other factor to qualification are equally significant to the applicants’ selection process. Consequently, the use of race is not an isolated factor to selection and this undermines discrimination of applicants from minority races. The case of Grantz, however, fails to identify the ‘narrowly tailored’ application and instead offers advantage to applicants from minority races. This is because the university offers additional 20 percent points to applicants from minority races, a factor that makes race an isolated and significant factor to qualification. The ‘narrowly tailored’ concept therefore establishes constitutionality of the university’s provisions under the Grutter case but unconstitutionality under the Grantz case (Supreme Court of the United States 4; Supreme Court of the United States1 31). Lee Bolinger was sued in both cases because he is an agent to the artificial person and therefore acts on behalf of the institution. He is therefore not sued on his personal capacity but on capacities of the positions that he held at the times that interests on the case arose. In the Grutter case, for example, he is sued in the capacity of the Dean of the Law School and the capacity of the University’s president while in the case of Grants, he is sued in his capacity as the University’s president. Supreme Court of the United States. â€Å"Jennifer Grantz and Patrick Hamacher, petitioners v. Lee Bollinger et al., No. 02-516.† Supreme Court of the United States. N.d. Web. February 17, 2015. . Supreme Court of the United States1. â€Å"Barbara Grutter, petitioner v. Lee Bbollinger et al.† Supreme Court of the United States. N.d. Web. February 17, 2015.

Strengths and weaknesses on the research on managerial work Coursework

Strengths and weaknesses on the research on managerial work - Coursework Example Division of work: It helps to determine different works to different employees of the company. With these divisions works are performed effectively and efficiently under supervision of managers. Clear work division helps to make effective strategies for growth of the company. Responsibility division: Managerial work involves in dividing responsibility among its employees analyzing their skills and potentialities. It strengthens different work process of an organization by giving appropriate responsibilities to capable employees. It helps to make good managerial work process (Mintzberg, 1975).   Discipline: Strengths of a company is also dependent on maintaining its discipline. Strong management system helps to make and implement different disciplinary rules within an organization. It influences the work process and function for achieving and fulfilling its goals and objectives. Unity of direction: Managers are responsible for implementing and developing unity in organizational work process. The strength of this managerial work is it shows proper direction to the employees for working together to fulfil same business objectives. It helps to develop sense of unity among the employees.Centralization: Managerial work involves in conducting different functions in making centralization in business process. It helps the organization to implement various plans and policies to develop a smooth work process in its centralized business. Order: Managers gives orders their subordinates for performing different work activities.

Deutsche Allgemeinversicherung Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Deutsche Allgemeinversicherung - Case Study Example It finds out the accuracy rate of the company’s performance while measuring the quality of its processes (Doty, 1996). It helps the managers to understand the level of productivity in each department and operate those processes at full potential. It is beneficial to DAV because it will identify the quality of the forms filled by the customers and inserted by an employee. It would then help the company in monitoring and controlling the processes (Harvard Business School, 2009). Challenges and limitations in applying SPC (Services to manufacturing) More often the use of the statistical process control tool is used in the manufacturing industry, but its use in the service industry can be rather challenging because of the intangible product (Trip, Does, & Roes, 1999). Humans are the only source that could be referred to while using offering services. So, measuring the people is the biggest challenge in the SPC because the company has to find out the errors that an employee is comm itting instead of a machine which is used in the manufacturing industry. It makes it impossible for companies to consider the factors while measuring their performance. ... There was a conflict in judging the quality of the form as right or wrong. Senior managers suggested that forms should not be considered as wrong if critical information is missing. 2. Better teams do more sampling: There was an issue with some groups that had to increase the sample size which was becoming a burden for some other groups. One group claimed that they had the best accuracy rate of 98% but still they had to increase the sample size (Harvard Business School, 1997). 3. Measuring Lawyers: The lawyers that were working in the legal department had problems regarding measuring the legal work of the customer form. They could not decide between a good form and a bad one even while measuring on the scale (Harvard Business School, 1997). 4. Automatic Charting: There was an issue that the group wanted to measure the quality automatically and should develop and IT system that would monitor these forms. They claimed that this method would save them a lot of time and will make the com pany productive (Harvard Business School, 1997). 5. On the Prowl: The associates were beginning to feel hesitant in providing the accurate results to the senior managers because of their reactions when they find out about the low accuracy rate. They were thinking to work on measuring another type of work which would yield better results to make their senior managers happy. Why problems are occurring and how they can be resolved The solutions and recommendations for the problems are underlined below: Better Teams do more sampling As the quality improvement was being tested in 15 different departments of the company each group from those departments showed interest. But as the quality improvement program continued, it created a lack of interest. So the company should try to

Gothic V Romanesque Architecture Essay Example for Free

Gothic V Romanesque Architecture Essay Medieval Art is characterized largely by the use of both Gothic and Romanesque architecture. As Christianity was highly significant to the middle ages, much of said architectural design is exemplified in the cathedrals of the time. Romanesque and Gothic architecture differ greatly from one another, as is displayed in a comparison of a Gothic chapel and a Romanesque chapel. The Cloisters Museum and Gardens: the branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to medieval art, offers the opportunity for such a close comparison. A comparison of the Fuetiduena Chapel and the Gothic Chapel conveys the distinctions between the two architectural styles. Thick, fortress-like walls, small, high windows, round arches, and barrel or dome vaulted ceiling, characterize Medieval Romanesque architecture. Because of the great outward pressure produced by the Romanesque rounded arch characteristic of the style, churches could not be made tall without adding buttresses to the weak walls. Said buttresses reinforced the walls, but made them very thick, creating a fortress-like feel to the church. Furthermore, because of such thick walls, windows could not be placed at these locations in the church, and therefore the windows in Romanesque cathedrals are located toward the ceiling. There are usually few, small, high windows in Romanesque churches. Moreover, the semi-circular barrel vault, as well as the dome vault, of the ceiling characterizes Romanesque architecture. The Cloisters’ Fuetiduena Chapel exemplifies the features of a true Romanesque chapel. The Fuetiduena Chapel is one of the first galleries on display in The Cloisters museum. The chapel displays the 12th century apse of St. Martin at Fuetiduena, Spain. The apse is covered by a barrel vault and half-dome, with three small windows piercing the back wall. The apse of the Fuetiduena Chapel exemplifies Romanesque architecture through the use of the rounded arch, semi-circular barrel vault, dome vault, and the small, highly placed windows. The entrance to the apse itself is a rounded arch, as is characteristic of Medieval Romanesque architecture. The immediate interior of the apse utilizes the semi-circular barrel vault, while the mural of The Virgin and Child in Majesty, with Archangels and the Magi is painted on the dome-vaulted ceiling. The three small windows present in the apse also utilize the rounded arch, and are placed more toward the ceiling of the apse, due to the fact that the thick lower walls of Romanesque cathedrals could not support windows. The windows in the rest of the Fuetiduena Chapel gallery are also placed near the ceiling, further conveying the Romanesque atmosphere. The shift to the Gothic style of architecture arose when architects began to experiment with structural features that would allow ever-taller buildings and ever-thinner walls. They moved the buttresses outward, thus shifting the pressure to the foundation of the building as opposed to the walls; such are referred to as â€Å"flying buttresses. † The flying buttresses allowed for the churches to have thinner walls, and therefore Gothic churches are characterized largely by their long stained-glass windows. The windows allow for a flood of natural light, in sharp contrast to the little light present in a Romanesque chapel. The Gothic style is also much more ornate, as opposed to the relatively plain walls of Romanesque churches. Rather than rounded arches, Gothic churches have pointed arches, ever-reaching toward the heavens. The interior of the church is made up of thin shafts and ribs, with rib-vaulted ceilings. Within the Cloisters’ â€Å"Early Gothic Hall† sits the Gothic Chapel. The gallery takes the form of a thirteenth-century chapel, adorned with fourteenth-century Austrian stained glass windows from the church of Saint Leonhard in Carinthia and the castle chapel at Ebreichsdorf near Vienna. Sculptures of royal and noble tombs from France and Spain also fill the chapel-like setting. The Gothic Chapel, as can be inferred from its name, is a great display of Medieval Gothic architecture. When one descends the steps to the Gothic Chapel, the difference in atmosphere from Fuetiduena Chapel is apparent. The ceilings, as opposed to the smooth barrel or dome vault, instead utilize the rib vault. The rib vault is the intersection of two or three barrel vaults, edged with shafts or pipes, often then decorated with decorative patterns. This ribbing allowed for the churches to be built taller, ever-reaching toward the heavens. The flying buttresses are not present in the chapel as they are an addition to the outside of a Gothic-style building, but the presence of long, thin stained glass windows within the chapel shows the effect of such buttresses. Because the walls of the church were no longer as thick, the force of the arch pushed into the foundation by the flying buttresses, decorative windows, often depicting a story, could be included in the cathedral’s design. Light was a part of the Gothic design, so these long windows allowed for a luminosity to the room. The doorway leading out of the Gothic Chapel further adds to the Gothic atmosphere, for the arch, rather than the Romanesque rounded arch, is instead set into a Gothic, or pointed, arch. The arch reaches upward, furthering the feeling that the church itself is reaching toward the Divine Kingdom.