Assignment:
1. Choose ONE of the following discussion question options to respond to:
Zappos: From Happiness to Holacracy
• Why is Zappos experiencing significant implementation problems with holacracy? What else could Zappos do to help implement the new structure more effectively?
Ambidextrous Behavior
• Define the term "ambidextrous organization." Provide a real life example of an organization that displays ambidextrous behavior. Explain your rationale.
Readings
• Rothaermel: Organizational Design: Structure, Culture, and Control
• Kaplan & Norton, "The Office of Strategy Management"
• Tushman & O'Reilly, "Ambidextrous Organization"
2. Change Tools
Option 1
• What change tools have you seen in action? Explain their level of effectiveness. Did these change tools help create short-term wins and was momentum sustained throughout the change effort because these tools were used?
Option 2
• What criteria would you evaluate to decide between Work-Out and Six Sigma in attacking an organization's process problem? Provide examples to support your reasoning.
Readings
• Ulrich, Kerr,& Ashkenas, General Electric's Leadership Work-Out
• Plotkin, Six Sigma: What It Is and How to Use It
• Biolos, Six Sigma Meets the Service Economy
• Welch: Voice and Dignity: Every Brain in the Game
• Dias de Lima, "Change Management Toolkit"