Contemporary Issues in Management

Why is organizational change so hard?

When a business is in a turnaround situation, what performance measures are most critical?

What role should the government have in regulating or overseeing the way in which firms pursue diversification strategies? In today’s business environment, do you believe that the level of regulation of corporate-level strategies is too much, too little, or about right?

What industry has a low barrier to entry? How would a new entrant in this industry best exploit this low barrier?

Toyota often lets other companies view their production lines. Why aren’t other companies as successful in implementing the well-proven Toyota production system? Why can’t you just “plug and play” best practice processes from one company to another?

Think about your personal values and beliefs. Where did your values come from? What or who shaped your perspectives on business and leadership?

Of the major dimensions of the general environment—technology, economy, political/legal, and sociocultural—which one do you believe is the most complicated? How can managers influence each one?

Question #1 from Chapter 1

Describe how the three pillars of management interact with each other. How can a firm’s strategy influence the design of the organization? In what ways can a manager influence the strategy of an organization?