Assignment:
The requirement of the homework:
• From two questions, critically analyze one of your classmates post.
• Criticisms grounded on THEORY. Be as much critical as possible. Observe assumptions and use of theory.
• Evaluation: How you use theory in judging
Question 1
The annual payroll of the Miami Heat – a professional basketball team – totals $ 98 million. Salaries are entirely based on individual contracts, which range from $ 22,192,730 for superstar Chris Bosh to $ 525,093 for rookie Josh Richardson. Additionally, contingent on playoff results, the team may receive an extra compensation. This lump-sum compensation starts at $ 200,000, should the team reaches the playoff, and increases up to $ 2,000,000 if the team participates in the championship series. Compensation from playoff participation is to be evenly divided between team members (source: basketball-reference.com).
Conceptually, classify the type of task of a basketball team. From your classification, would you recommend any changes to the Heat’s compensation scheme? Explain.
Post:
The task of a basketball team would be classified as additive. An additive task is a group task in which performance depends on the sum of each individual’s contribution. Basketball requires team members to work closely together to accomplish goals. For example, during a basketball game, there are five players on the court all working together to win. If any of the players fail to contribute or have a lack of contribution then the team’s overall performance will suffer. In contrast, the more and better contributions made by the players will improve performance.
I would not recommend any changes to the compensation scheme. The player’s salaries are based on contracts, and the amount contracted for is determined by the value of the player to the team. Basically, it is based on what the player will contribute to the team. Superstars are paid more than rookies because they will potentially contribute more. This compensation scheme should result in incentives for rookies to become superstars and for superstars to maintain superstar status. I also would not recommend changing the lump sum compensation for playoff results. A change in this compensation could result in animosity, which might hinder performance.
Question 2
The impact of diversity is primarily explained on the basis of Tajfel & Turner (1974) Social Identity Theory. At the core, the theory prescribes that relationships are driven by the social categories we use in creating our own identity. Briefly propose a training intervention directed at minimizing any negative effect of diversity in organizations. Explain the conceptual grounds of your intervention.
Post:
Managing diversity in organizations helps create and maintain positive work environments. Providing training to members of the organization can help minimize any negative effects that are a result of diversity. Organizations that properly manage diversity should have committed, satisfied employees. In order to accomplish this I would implement training that focuses on intercultural competence. Intercultural competence is cognitive and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interactions in a variety of cultural contexts. The training would consist of activities that required employees to learn about the norms and conventions of other cultures. Training would cover what intercultural competence is and ways that employees can improve their intercultural competence. The training would include group activities with diverse members. These activities would allow employees to interact and get to know members of different diversities.