BUS272 TB

Chapter 13 Organizational Structure 485
will be identified early and that the task will be completed on time and
to the desired specifications. For instance, agree on a specific time for
completion of the task, and then set progress dates when the employee
will report back on how well he or she is doing and any major problems
that have surfaced. This can be supplemented with periodic spot checks
to ensure that authority guidelines are not being abused, organization
policies are being followed, and proper procedures are being met.
OB at Work
You are the director of research and development for a large pharmaceutical
manufacturer. You have six people who report directly to you: Sue (your
secretary), Dale (laboratory manager), Todd (quality standards manager),
Linda (patent coordination manager), Ruben (market coordination manager),
and Marjorie (senior projects manager). Dale is the most senior of
the five managers and is generally acknowledged as the chief candidate to
replace you if you are promoted or leave.
You have received your annual instructions from the CEO to develop
next year’s budget for your area. The task is relatively routine, but takes
quite a bit of time. In the past, you have always done the annual budget
yourself. But this year, because your workload is exceptionally heavy, you
have decided to try something different. You are going to assign budget
preparation to one of your subordinate managers. The obvious choice is
Dale. Dale has been with the company longest, is highly dependable, and,
as your probable successor, is most likely to gain from the experience. The
budget is due on your boss’s desk in eight weeks. Last year it took you
about 30 to 35 hours to complete. However, you have done a budget
many times before. For a novice, it might take double that amount of time.
The budget process is generally straightforward. You start with last
year’s budget and modify it to reflect inflation and changes in departmental
objectives. All the data that Dale will need are in your files, online, or
can be obtained from your other managers.
You have just walked over to Dale’s office and informed him of your
decision. He seemed enthusiastic about doing the budget, but he also has
a heavy workload. He told you, “I’m regularly coming in around 7 a.m. and
it’s unusual for me to leave before 7 p.m. For the past five weekends, I’ve
even come in on Saturday mornings to get my work done. I can do my best
to try to find time to do the budget.” Specify exactly what you would say
to Dale and the actions you would take if Dale agrees to do the budget.
Practising
Skills
1. Watch a classic movie that has examples of “managers” delegating
assignments. Pay explicit attention to the incidence of delegation.
Was delegating done effectively? What was good about the practice?
How might it have been improved? Movies with delegation examples
include The Godfather , The Firm , Star Trek , Office Space , Nine-to-Five ,
and Working Girl .
Reinforcing
Skills
2. The next time you have to do a group project for a class, pay explicit
attention to how tasks are delegated. Does someone assume a leadership
role? If so, note how closely the delegation process is followed. Is delegation
different in project or study groups than in typical work groups?