Leadership Theories and Case Studies

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Questions and Answers

What was one of the main issues faced by the GM Fremont plant in 1982?

Unresolved grievances were minimal.

There was a high level of absenteeism. (correct)

Employee productivity was the highest in GM.

The assembly costs were lower than competitors.

How did the productivity and quality levels at the NUMMI plant in 1986 compare to those of the GM Fremont plant in 1982?

NUMMI had the same productivity and worse quality.

NUMMI had double the productivity and highest quality. (correct)

NUMMI maintained the same productivity and quality.

NUMMI had lower productivity and better quality.

What was one of the grievances of union representatives regarding GM's Sunbelt Strategy?

It increased wages in the union-controlled states.

It improved the overall job satisfaction of employees.

It was seen as an attempt to avoid union influence. (correct)

It focused on expanding union membership.

Which factor significantly improved at NUMMI compared to the Fremont plant?

Total annual grievances. Signup and view all the answers

What did the new management at NUMMI recognize as essential needs among employees?

The need to be understood and valued. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the competition announced by Top Management?

To achieve the highest sales progression from October to December. Signup and view all the answers

What reward is offered to the winning store in the main competition?

Free dinner at a fancy restaurant. Signup and view all the answers

What is the only reward for the side competition involving photos?

Publication of photos on the internet site. Signup and view all the answers

How many employees does the manager oversee?

Five employees. Signup and view all the answers

What is a motivation for the manager to win the competition?

To prove managerial capabilities and increase profits. Signup and view all the answers

What time period is the sales progression being monitored?

October 1st to December 31st. Signup and view all the answers

What is the setting for the meeting to discuss the competition?

The employee room, about 15 m². Signup and view all the answers

What age range do the employees under the manager's responsibility fall into?

20 to 30 years old. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary power distribution in aristocracy?

Based on gender and lineage Signup and view all the answers

What assumption does the bureaucratic leadership model operate under?

The boss inherently knows best Signup and view all the answers

Which leadership theory emphasizes that leaders are inherently born with traits necessary for leadership?

Great Man Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criticisms of trait theories in leadership?

They do not account for the influence of environment. Signup and view all the answers

What does infocracy suggest about power distribution?

It focuses on contributions from key process contributors. Signup and view all the answers

Which leadership theory would best explain why someone with leadership traits might not be a leader?

Trait Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the assumption behind the Great Man theory?

Great leaders are destined to emerge when required. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of management shifts, how is power viewed in the age of infocracy?

As dynamic, reshaped by contributions to processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of managerial theories?

Supervision and group performance Signup and view all the answers

What type of leadership is characterized by high ethical and moral standards?

Transformational leadership Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Diamond Model of Leadership?

Financial capital Signup and view all the answers

What is a key method used to achieve commitment in transformational leadership?

Inspiring a sense of purpose Signup and view all the answers

In the context of relationship theories, how are followers viewed?

As important contributors to the team's success Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is crucial for the effectiveness of the Diamond Model of Leadership?

Commitment to strategy Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of focusing strictly on managerial theories?

Lack of employee motivation Signup and view all the answers

How do transformational leaders typically assess their success?

By employee feedback and development Signup and view all the answers

What do contingency theories of leadership emphasize as major influences on effective leadership?

Environmental variables and context Signup and view all the answers

Which leadership style might be most suitable when the leader possesses the most knowledge and experience?

Authoritarian style Signup and view all the answers

What does behavioral theory of leadership primarily focus on?

The actions and behaviors of leaders Signup and view all the answers

What is a central tenet of participative leadership theories?

Leaders collaborate with group members for better engagement Signup and view all the answers

According to situational theories, when might a democratic leadership style be most effective?

When group members are skilled experts Signup and view all the answers

What is the main premise of contingency leadership theories?

The effectiveness of a leadership style varies with different situations Signup and view all the answers

How do behavioral theories differ from Great Man theories of leadership?

Behavioral theories assert that leaders can be developed through learning and observation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be a reason why some people with leadership traits do not pursue leadership roles?

They prioritize personal security over leadership Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Leadership: Session 2

Session focused on leadership theories and case studies
Included a discussion of GM leadership problems and the NUMMI plant case study
GM's 1950s strategy to build non-union plants in the Southern and Western USA was met with significant union opposition, leading to conflict-ridden plants
The 1982 GM Fremont Plant struggled with high absenteeism, grievances, and wildcat strikes, with poor quality and productivity compared to Japanese competitors such as the Chevrolet Nova (30% higher costs)
The 1986 GM NUMMI plant improved significantly with lower absenteeism (only 2%), resolving grievances, significantly improved productivity, and a comparable quality to Japanese vehicles

Paradigm Shifts in Management

Three periods of management: Aristocracy (pre-1800s), Bureaucracy (1900s-2000s), and Infocracy (information age).
Power shifted from lineage and gender to gender/office, and then to key process contributors (KPCs)
The assumption shifted from "father knows best" to "boss knows best" and then "KPC's know best"

Main Leadership Theories

Great Man Theory: Leaders are born, not made with innate characteristics (e.g., charisma, confidence, intelligence).
Trait Theory: Leaders have specific personality traits or behaviors (e.g., extroversion, self-confidence) as part of their natural capabilities.
Contingency Theory: The most effective leadership style depends on the specific situation. Leadership is not about specific qualities of the leader, but achieving the correct balance of behaviours, needs and context.
Situational Theory: Leaders adjust their style based on the situation, such as authoritarian when the leader has more experience, or democratic when group members are skilled experts.
Behavioral Theory: Leaders learn through teaching and observation; actions are key not mental traits
Participative Leadership: The leader considers the input of others. Leaders encourage participation and help team members to be more relevant to the decision making process.

Management Theories

Transactional theories/Managerial theories: Supervision, organization, and group performance are based on rewards and punishments. When employees are successful they are rewarded, when they fail they are reprimanded or punished.

Relationship Theories

Transformational theories/Relationship theories: Focus on connections between leaders and followers.
Transformational leaders inspire and motivate followers towards achieving important group goals and fulfill individual potential with high ethical standards.

The Diamond Model of Leadership

A model that illustrates the interrelation between leader, people and task for achieving results

Commitment Focus Questions

Questions for self-reflection relating to how commitment is developed from employees

KIABI Vicenza Short Case

A business case study involving a sales competition between KIABI stores in Vincenza, Italy
The winner is the store with the highest sales progression in relation to the previous year from October 1 to December 31
There is also an associated side competition for interesting photos of employees in the stores (as a reward).
The company manager has five employees (all women between 20 and 30 years), and wants to win to prove their managerial skills.
There is a group meeting to suggest a plan for communicating and motivating their employees

Group Presentations

The focus is on a presentation class to understand what makes a good vs bad presentation

HLBT Method for Communicating

A method for effective public speaking, digital presentations and team communication

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore various leadership theories with a focus on case studies, including a detailed analysis of GM's leadership challenges and the NUMMI plant's turnaround. This session delves into historical management paradigms and the evolution of leadership strategies in the automotive industry.