Competition :

The Challenges Managers Faces

The Challenges Managers Faces

1.Globalization
2.Managing diverse workforce
3.Technological change
4.Managing ethical behavior
 The Challenges Managers Faces

I. Managing in a Global Environment

☺ Globalization is a world that is free from national
boundaries or a “borderless world.”
☺ Transnational organizations operates in a large
global distances and employ multicultural
people
Ex. US managers need to understand the way
other countries handle business.
 Understanding Cultural Differences
in Global Environment
1. Individualism versus Collectivism

Individualism - People are responsible for their

own interest, primary concerns is for
themselves and their families. Individualistic
managers emphasize and encourage individual
achievement.
Collectivism - individuals depend strongly on
extended families or clans. Collectivistic
managers seek to fit harmoniously within the
group
 Understanding Cultural Differences
in Global Environment
2. Power Distance

Unequal distribution of power.

High Power Distance – bosses are afforded
with more power, titles are used, formality
is the rule.
Low Power Distance – Managers are given
power only if they have expertise.
Managers and employees are seen as
similar
 Understanding Cultural Differences
in Global Environment
3. Uncertainty avoidance

The degree to which a culture tolerates ambiguity

and uncertainty
High Uncertainty Avoidance – concerned with
security and tend to avoid conflict. People
have need for consensus
Low Uncertainty Avoidance – people are more
willing to take risk and more tolerant of
individual differences
 Understanding Cultural Differences
in Global Environment
4. Masculinity versus Femininity

Masculinity - orientation in which assertiveness

and materialism are valued. Men should be
assertive, tough and decisive.

Femininity - cultural orientation in which

relationships and concern for others are
valued. Women should be nurturing , modest
and tender.
 Understanding Cultural Differences
in Global Environment
5. Time Orientation

Cultures values are oriented toward future (long-

term orientation). Values such are thrift, and
persistence which focus on the future.

Cultures value past and present ( short-term

orientation). Values respect for tradition (past)
and meeting social obligations (present)
 II. Managing Diverse Workforce

1. Cultural Diversity

Social and demographic changes that are

producing diversity in organizations

2. Gender Diversity
Glass Ceiling - a transparent barrier that keeps
women from rising above a certain level of
organizations.
 II. Managing Diverse Workforce

3. Age Diversity
Aging workforce

4. Ability Diversity

Workforce full of individuals with different abilities

and disabilities
 II. Managing Diverse Workforce

5. Differences are assets

Encompasses religion, social status and sexual

orientation. Ex. Acceptance to gay and lesbian
employees. People who worked in the
organization full or stigma and distrust are not
likely to perform well. Minorities are rated
lower than white.
 Diversity’s Benefit and Problem

Benefits:

2. Diversity management can help firms attract

and retain the best available human talent

3. Diversity can enhance marketing efforts

4. Diversity promotes creativity and innovation
5. Diversity results in better problem solving
6. Diversity enhances organizational flexibility
 Diversity’s Benefit and Problem

Problems:

2. Resistance to change
3. Lack of cohesiveness
4. Communication problem
5. Conflicts
6. Decision making
III. Managing Technological Innovation

☺ The intellectual and mechanical processes

used by organization to transform inputs into
products or services that meet organizational
goals.

☺ Managers face the challenge of rapidly

changing technology and of putting it to
optimum use
 III. Managing Technological Innovation

1. Alternative Work Arrangement

Telecommuting - transmitting work from a

home computer to the office using a modem
Hoteling - hotel work space
Satellite offices - large offices are broken
into network of smaller workplaces that are
closely located to the employees
IV. Managing Ethical Behavior

☺Ethical decisions to be able to make

“right” choices.
 IV. Managing Ethical Behavior
Ethical Theories
1. Consequential theories
Emphasizes the consequences or results
of behavior.

2. Rule-based theories
Emphasizes the character of the act itself
rather than its effects in arriving at
universal moral rights and wrongs. Moral
rights - basis for legal rights
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 IV. Managing Ethical Behavior
Ethical Theories

3. Character theories
Emphasizes the character, personal
virtues and integrity of the individual.
Virtues – summary of ideals that defines
good character. Ex. Honesty, loyalty,
trustworthiness.

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 Ethical Theories

People need ethical theories to help

think through confusing, complex,
difficult moral choices and ethical
decisions.

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 Key Areas of Ethical and Moral Dilemmas

1. Employee Rights
Managing the rights of employees at work
creates many ethical dilemmas in
organization. Safeguarding the
employees right to privacy.
Ex. Employee data from computerized
information system, layoffs, Persons with
AIDS (PWA)

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 Key Areas of Ethical and Moral Dilemmas

2. Sexual Harassment

An unwelcome sexual intention whether

verbal or physical that affects an
employee job conditions or create hostile
work environment
Managers should take necessary actions
on sexual harassment complaints and a
clear policies and guidelines should be
crafted.
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 Key Areas of Ethical and Moral Dilemmas

3. Romantic Involvements

Relationships between Supervisors and

staff or coworkers.
Managers should realize that workplace
romance can not be eliminated though
there must be a clear rules and policies to
avoid problems on productivity or
workplace morale.

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 Key Areas of Ethical and Moral Dilemmas

4. Organizational Justice

Distributive justice - fairness of outcomes

that individuals received. Ex. Salaries
and benefits
Procedural justice - fairness of the
process by which outcomes are allocated
Ex. Has the organization used the correct
procedure of allocating resources?
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 Key Areas of Ethical and Moral Dilemmas

5. Whistle-Blowing

Whistle-blowers - employees who inform

the authorities of wrongdoing by their
companies or coworkers.
Organization should communicate to the
employees on proper disclosure of
wrongdoings.

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