MGT 425 MANAGERIAL DECISION MAKING--FALL, 1997
Western Illinois University--Regional Center-Section R21-Tuesday, 6:15-8:55pm Room
B16
Terence C. Krell, M.B.A., Ph.D. Office Phone: 762-9481 ext. 257 Home Phone: 793-1998
URL: http://www.abc-xyz.com/krell/ e-mail: tckrell@abc-xyz.com
Office Hours: Mon & Tues 5:40-6:15pm & 9-9:30pm* & Tues 2:30-3:00pm
(*after class hours are for the students in that class only); and by appointment
THE COURSE
This course is about Managerial Decision Making and Complex Problem-Solving. Higher
level managers must deal with large numbers of people, objectives and variables,
and still make good decisions quickly. Speed and judgment in decision making come
from knowledge, practice and experience. Knowledge of decision making and problem solving
includes a familiarity with techniques and devices, but more importantly a knowledge
of self, of others, and of the nature of the environment within which the decision
making will take place. This course is about gaining that knowledge. It may be helpful
to think of this course as being three courses within a larger course. Note that
the percentage of grade distribution is a reflection of the relative rewards in real
life for dealing well with these same types of issues. You will be in two different small
groups during this course. Management 349 and CS101 are prerequisites for this course.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course you will be able to:
1. recognize the complexity of the system within which you are making decisions;
2. identify your own decision-making style;
3. articulate the components of group processes in group decision making;
4. appreciate complex problems and solve them.
GRADING PLAN & ASSIGNMENTS
Your course grade will be based on the following components and point distribution:
- Part I 30%
- Part II 40%
- Part III 20%
- Participation 10%
Part I: Complex Problem Solving
This portion of the course emphasizes the complexity of many problems and offers
opportunities to expand your problem solving repertoire.
1. Group Project Outline 5%
2. Group Project Paper 20%
2. Peer evaluation 5%
Group Project
Each small group will select a problem solving task which, with instructor approval,
will be the focus of this portion of the course for that group. A 15 to 50 page
written document will be the result. All members will receive the same grade. Groups
will be assigned by the instructor with student input. Note that although this part of
the class comes first, the project is not due until finals week. Students are expected
to work on this material outside of class.
Peer Evaluation
A form will be distributed assessing the contribution of each member of the group.
Part II: Individual Decision Making in Complex Systems
This portion of the course enhances your awareness of organizational complexity and
explores your own individual decision making process and style by requiring you to
make a series of decisions incorporating your needs, the needs of other members of
the organization, the needs of the immediate work group, and the needs of the organization
itself while accomplishing a cooperative task.
1. Journal 10%
2. TBA 30%
Journal
You will keep a weekly journal which will consist of at least three entries, one regarding
the group process in the class, a second regarding the group process in your weekly
support group meeting and the third regarding what you found personally meaningful in the class. Entries should be from 1 to 5 pages each. These will be kept in
a folder and handed in at the beginning of class each week. Journals may be picked
up at the WIURC office after Wednesday at 5:00pm. Journals will often not receive
comment. Journals may be typed or neatly printed. Journal entries should be personal and
self-reflective and will be kept confidential by the instructor. You are the only
one who may choose to share your journal (either with the class or with your support
group,) but you are encouraged to do so when you feel it is appropriate. The instructor
may allude to your journal, but will not reveal specifics without permission. If
you feel the instructor has violated this confidentiality, you are required to advise
him immediately in class. You are not required to consider the instructor's comments
to you on your journal as confidential. It is advisable to keep copies of all journal
entries separate from those turned in: journals do get lost, or you may wish to refer
to a recent entry in class discussion. You will also be required to summarize your
journals in a 10-15 page description of your personal individual decision-making
style as your final journal entry. Only this final journal entry will be assigned
a grade which will reflect the entire assignment.
TBA
: To Be Arranged.
It is the task of the class to determine a grading system, set of criteria for grading,
and means of determining grades (which will be used for this portion of the course)
that is consistent with the needs of the State of Illinois, WIU, Regional Center,
College of Business, Management Department, other WIU students, the instructor, the
course, other students in the course and each individual student . The system must
include defensible evaluative criteria with a logic that is justifiable to the administration and that discriminates clearly between A, B, etc. and must not result in all students
receiving the same grade. All must agree. The grading system must reflect individual
learning about individual decision making (i.e. those who have learned more get higher grade.)
Support Group
A support group is a small group of people that you feel comfortable discussing your
feelings and frustrations with about the tasks you are called upon to accomplish.
This group is not graded together, nor do they grade each other, but you must meet
at least once weekly after the class and before the next Tuesday. Do not meet on the day
of class before class. A separate journal entry is required weekly regarding this
meeting.
Part III: Group Decision Making in Complex Systems
This portion of the course focuses on small group dynamics and group decision making
to accomplish a task.
1. Individual Group Process Paper 20%
Individual Group Process Paper
Write a 10 to 30 page paper about the interactions of the group and the process(es)
by which decisions were made. Be specific about people, tasks, events, and sequence.
Include both descriptions and your feelings, and yourself. The material will be
drawn from your own experiences in your project group and the larger group. The group
process portion of your journal may contribute to this paper.
CLASS POLICIES
1. Attendance is required. Three tardies will count for one absence. See me in advance,
if you have a problem. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN 2 SESSIONS TOTAL, YOU ARE IN DANGER
OF FAILING THE COURSE.
2. Reading in this course is essential for discussion. Reading assignments must be
completed on time.
3. You will be expected to come to class, participate in group discussion activities,
complete assignments, and pull your own weight in team projects.
4. No make-ups will be allowed. Reports and written projects will be lowered one
full grade for each day past the due date if turned in late.
5. Keep copies of all assignments you turn in.
6. All assignments must be typed (word processing OK). Do not use erasable or onion-skin
paper.
7. Requests for a change in your grade on any assignment or part thereof, must be
made in writing. Such requests must include a description of the error made and
the reason(s) you believe it is an error, and must be made within one week of receiving
your grade.
8. University regulations prohibit eating, drinking, and smoking in the classroom.
9. Usually I will be available before and after sessions for consultation in office
hours. Contact me at the above numbers on other occasions.
10. This syllabus is subject to change with notice.
11. Students with special needs are welcome in this class. If you fall into this
category, please contact the instructor privately as well as the appropriate university
office.
INSTRUCTOR'S GRADING STANDARDS
95 - Exceptional, innovative, or comprehensively written; 80 - Solid performance to
assignment; 70 - Marginal or unbalanced analysis, or poorly written; 60 - Completely
off-target, minimal analysis, very poorly written 0 - Not turned in. At the end
of the semester, each grade will be weighted according to the grading plan and an overall
percentage computed. Multiply the percentage grade you receive for each individual
assignment by the weighted percent of total grade and add the results together to
reach a net score. A net score of 90 or above earns an "A", 80 or above a "B", 70 or
above a "C"; 60 or above a D. There are no preordained grade quotas. Overall,
solid performance will earn a grade of "B". An "A" will be reserved for outstanding
performance. Marginally acceptable work will earn a "C".
POLICIES REGARDING WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Written assignments are due on the day scheduled and should be turned in to your instructor
at the beginning of the class period
. Assignments turned in after the beginning of the class period are considered to
be late. Create two copies: Turn in one copy, retain one copy for yourself. Assignments
turned in after the beginning of the scheduled class period are eligible for a grade no higher than a 70 (and that only if the paper is otherwise an 90 or 85 paper).
No late papers will be accepted if submitted more than one day past the scheduled
due date (except by prearranged consent of the instructor. HINT: try to have your
papers completed a day early). All written assignments are to be typed (double-spaced) and
to follow correct form, spelling, grammar, etc. Staple sheets together. Do not
use binders, notebooks, etc. Papers which, in the opinion of the instructor, employ
disproportionately poor grammar and poor quality written communication skills will be assigned
a grade that is one-letter (10 points) lower than would otherwise be assigned. The
University rules (see the student handbook) on academic honesty and plagiarism apply: In brief, turn in your own work.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Announced first day of class, but the text supplied by the bookstore.
CLASS ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION IN CLASS DISCUSSION
Attendance at all class sessions is expected, especially class discussion of assigned
topics. To encourage attendance, the instructor may randomly assign "participation
points" to all of those present.
Due to the fact that participation in class and with your team counts 10% of your
grade, each student must contribute significantly to in-class discussion of topics.
Each student is expected to be an active participant and to make meaningful comments
on topics being discussed. Your grade on class participation is something to be earned
via consistent, daily contribution to class discussion. You should, therefore, make
a conscientious effort to attend class discussions and to be sufficiently prepared
to contribute to the discussions. Merely coming to class is not sufficient.
Being shy is no excuse for not being prepared, and may mean you will choose not to
participate as much as more vocal personalities. Quality of participation is more
important than quantity in determining your participation grade. It is therefore
the task of those who consider themselves shy to make sure the quality of their participation
is higher than that of those who are more vocal.
SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:
8/26 Orientation
PART I COMPLEX PROBLEM SOLVING
9/2 Syllabus , Support-group selection. Lecture/discussion problem solving.
9/9 Problem Solving Group Selection. Selection of Problem. Read 1st 1/4 text.
9/16 Problem Appreciation and Research assignment. Read 1st half text.
PART II INDIVIDUAL DECISION MAKING IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS
9/23 Group discussion. Read all of text.
9/30 Group discussion.
10/7 Group discussion.
10/14 Group discussion.
10/21 Group discussion.
10/28 Group discussion. (Part I Group Outline Due)
11/4 Group discussion.
11/11 Group discussion.
11/18
Group discussion.
11/25 THANKSGIVING BREAK -- NO CLASS
12/2 Group discussion. Task completed. Personal Style paper due.
PART III GROUP DECISION MAKING
12/9 Group work.
12/16 Group work. NO FINAL EXAM. Individual Group-Process paper due.
GROUP PROJECT PAPER DUE 12/18