Week_4_Learning_Team_Reflection

Learning Team Reflection Paper Week 6 MGT521 September 27, 2011 Mary Sanders Learning Team Reflection Paper Week 5 As a team we were asked to discuss and reflect on the topics for week five. The topics included different methodologies for adapting different types of businesses to changing markets, the impact of economics on business, and the role of human resource management in achieving business goals. Our combined reflections on these topics are below. The topics for week five are in close alignment with each other. The concept on different methodologies on how businesses adapt to changing and emerging markets makes it easier to understand the reasons an organization goes through restructuring to increase their effectiveness as a company and achieve their goals. The role of human resource management is also very critical in achieving business goals. It was mentioned in class how the implementation of “fear” among subordinates can work over a short period of time; some cultures are hesitant and can lead to shorter employee morale. Fayol’s Principles of Organization outlines different types of business division or authority in an organization. Few examples are the division of labor, hierarchy of authority, decentralizations, and centralization (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010). In the military, organization has always been authoritarian, which means one reports to a “chain of command” and receives orders from the frontline supervisor. This type of organization is easy to implement because it paves way for a clearer communication and an orderly fashion; however, there is less involvement. The impact of economics is also very critical to the financial health of the organization. When a country is in recession the companies are affected locally and globally. According to the Keynesian theory, which was also discussed in class, a government that increases their spending for the building of new infrastructure, roads, schools, and others can stimulate the economy in recession and also by cutting taxes. Cutting taxes would be a way to increase consumer spending to revive businesses. When a country is in recession a manager has to step up, gain control and develop strategies for the sake of the financial health of the company (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2010).  Another topic discussed in week five was about businesses becoming global and how to maintain their status in the global market. The top priority for any business is to research and adhere to the different cultures of every country before entering to conduct business there. One must maintain partnerships and communication when a company takes its business global. Most companies are trying to survive the economic recession in some aspects by trying to find short cuts to stay competitive in the global markets; such as taking bribes and leaving out some of the important language in contracts. Perhaps hiring cheap labor workers as well to produce and push out their products faster than their competitors. Going global with one’s business can mean more profits and expandability of the customer base. The topics mentioned this week pertain to the workforce in many ways. For instance, globalization is a huge discussion for many businesses. The ways in which globalization may be used varies, but still remains a very important aspect for a company. The technology that has become available in the workforce makes this possible. Many of these types of teams will meet via virtual meetings. This is not much different from a normal meeting. The only difference is the team is video conferencing with each other. The team can still see one another, just as if the team were sitting in the same room. Globalization allows teams to interact with other members of a company in other countries. A work team is not simply individuals within the same city any more. A team may consist of many diverse cultures, in many countries. This allows a wide variety of collaboration. Every individual has a particular task that they may contribute. Each person is an asset to the team in a different way. This type of team is becoming much more common than a century ago, and will continue to become the norm for companies. References Nickels, W. G., McHugh, J. M., & McHugh, S. M. (2010). Understanding Business (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.