Assignment Description

The course scenario stated the following relative to this assignment: As happens on occasion, there were some factors that had an effect on company profits, but the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jared Smith, was in a position to focus on several internal strategic areas, including structure, work design, motivation, conflict, and company culture as a whole. To stay profitable, the company had to eliminate several management positions in an effort to flatten the organizational chart. Many of the responsibilities fell to the employees, and many people resisted the change.

As the economy recovers, CMA continues to rebuild. Since 2012, the company has been divided into a functional structure that includes four departments: Research and development (R&D), marketing, production, and finance. Each department is headed by a vice president who has responsibility over each of the functional areas. The company currently sells components to computer manufacturers. As technology continues to advance, the CMA R&D department and its vice president, Kevin Adams, are feeling pressure to keep up with the competition. However, because of the differentiation and separation between the departments, the CEO is concerned that communication is hampered.

You as the OB consultant had a training and development session about teams with the managers that went very well, so well that the participants expressed a desire to have some of the information that you discussed to be available in writing so they can reference it, as needed. One person wrote the following in the post-session questionnaire: The information I got during this training was very good. I’d like to have something I can read about the different types of workgroups and teams you talked about during the training session. Also, could you give us something that compares and contrasts the various types of teams? Jared, the CEO also wants your recommendation on which types of groups and teams you think would work most effectively at CMA.

If there are any questions on any of this, reach out to your instructor and also be sure to attend or listen to the chats as that is where you will be able to ask questions and gain many insights in what is being asked for here.