JASMINE TATA, PH.D.
Associate Professor of Management, Loyola University Chicago
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JASMINE TATA, PH.D. Associate Professor of Management, Loyola University Chicago Times
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Professor Tata
SYLLABUS
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Today's business environment requires you to understand the characteristics of effective teams and team players in an organizational context. This course will help you gain a vocabulary and understanding of team processes and team performance in organizations, and provide you with the tools to make teams effective. During the semester, you will be given the opportunity to assess and develop team skills, and practice creating, monitoring and improving an ongoing team effort. This course is designed so that the concepts covered in the text are reviewed in class, and then applied in class activities and self-awareness exercises. Your ability to learn during this course will depend upon your understanding of the text, an open and active participation during class and your thoughtfulness in preparing for class. Please read the text before class.
TEXT
Ancona, D., Kochan, T., Scully, M., Van Maanen, J., & Westney, D. E. 1999. Managing for the future. Module 4. Cincinnati, OH: Southwestern/ITP. (Required) Course packet consisting of readings (required). McIntosh-Fletcher, D. 1996. Teaming by design. Real teams for real people. Chicago: Irwin. (Optional) Please bring your course packet and texts to every class -- you will not be able to participate in class without them.
GRADING & RELATED POLICIES
Your course grade will be based on the following criteria: Organizational investigation . . . Examinations Midterm . . . . . Final . . . . . Class participation & assignments . . . Journals & analyses
ORGANIZATIONAL INVESTIGATION
This is a real-world project in which teams of 3 to 6 students will investigate the importance of teams, the resources and support provided to teams, the influence of teams, and team structure in organizations. Each team will set its own goals for the project (e.g., comparing your class team to organizational teams, comparing and contrasting organizations, etc.). As part of the project, each team should examine one or, preferably, two organizations. You should interview at least 2 people per organization using the template provided (team leader, team members, management, etc.). Other methods of data collection may also be acceptable, but obtain your instructor's approval before proceeding. The organization can be your workplace or another local organization (business or non-profit). Your instructor will guide you in identifying questions to ask in the structured interviews. Please get additional questions approved by the instructor before conducting the interviews.
By the fifth class session, you must hand in the name of the organization you plan to investigate and the name of the contact person in the organization who has given you permission to conduct the investigation.
After collecting the data through structured interviews, you will write a report that should compare the responses received from different people within an organization and compare responses across organizations. The report should include:
1. Table of contents 2. Summary of the major points of the report 3. Introduction providing the context of the report, description of organizations and industry 4. Description of teams in the organizations organizational context of teams -- structure, culture, support, human resource policies team topography - purpose of teams, types of teams, size, diversity, extent of use, leadership intra-team processes (task-related): mission, goals, objectives, action planning intra-team processes (relationship-related): communication, conflict, trust, decision-making inter-team processes: conflict, coordination team effectiveness - measures of productivity, satisfaction, etc. 5. Analysis strengths of teams problems and issues arising from the use of teams causes of problems solutions and implementation 6. Conclusions 7. Appendix consisting of interview transcripts, charts, figures, and other data.
The report will be graded based on (a) the depth and quality of your data collection, (b) quality of description, and © the quality of your analyses. You will also give a presentation during which you will share your findings with the class (15 -20 minutes) at the end of the semester. The presentation will be evaluated based on (a) content, (b) creativity and © communication style.
MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMINATIONS
There will be one midterm and one final examination on the dates specified in the weekly schedule. The examinations will consist of multiple-choice, true/false, short answers, and essay questions. I expect you to be present for all examinations. A missed examination counts as zero points in the calculation for the final course grade.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
You can contribute to class learning, and your own learning by an openness to new ideas and a willingness to share your thoughts and ideas with others in the class. Also, I expect you to participate completely in all class activities. I expect you to attend every class (and be on time), since you cannot participate unless you are present. In addition, you should read the assigned material and cases, and be prepared to actively participate in class exercises and team discussions. You will not be able to participate unless you bring your text to class.
Grading. Your participation grade will be based on the quality and quantity of your participation in class exercises and discussions. Your assignment grade will be based on the quality of assignments (team member selection, team feedback, completion of team checklists, etc.). Assignments will be handed out during class sessions, so if you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain the assignment.
JOURNAL AND SELF-EVALUATION
You are expected to keep a team-related journal, which should consist of observations made from recall at the end of each week. What observations you make are completely up to you, although some suggestions for journal entries are given below:
1. Objectively describe your scores on class exercises/homework, what the scores mean, and your behavior during class activities and team meetings. (Concrete experiences) 2. Subjectively describe your thoughts and feelings at the end of class activities and team meetings, and your perceptions of team members. What happened to cause those feelings? 3. Look at the experience from different points of view (e.g., your team members' perspectives), and use these perspectives to add more meaning to the experience. (Reflective observations) 4. Connect your behavior to concepts from the text and lecture (diagnosis and abstract conceptualization). 5. Identify how your learning will help you in the future (active experimentation)
In addition, you may also write about your work experiences and other team experiences in your journal. Your journal can be hand-written, and will be collected twice during the semester. Confidentiality of your journal will be maintained.
INSTRUCTOR'S EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
I expect you to: * Attend every class, since you cannot contribute to class learning unless you are present. Remember, your team will depend on you to attend class and contribute to team discussions. * Read the assigned material and complete your home-work assignments. The text material will not be repeated verbatim during class. * Be prepared to actively participate in class exercises and team discussions (very important). * Respect the opinions of others in the class, and help your class-mates.
REVISIONS TO SYLLABUS
The instructor reserves the right to revise this syllabus, class schedule and course requirements when such revisions will benefit the achievement of course goals and objectives. Requirements may be amended during the semester which would vary the total points possible, their distribution, and/or the final grade points. Changes will be announced verbally in class.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Final Examination |