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Discussion Board Forum 2: Part 1

Amanda Newell

Chapter 4: How do you think planning in today’s organizations compares to planning in an organization 25 years ago? Do you think planning becomes more important or less important in a world where everything quickly changes and crises are a regular part of organizational life? Why?

Planning in today’s organizations is a necessary tool needed in order for any business to survive (Daft, 2016). The business world has evolved in the last 25 years largely due to the innovation in technology. As technology continues to be the driving innovative force in the business arena, businesses must be able to compete by staying current with the changes. According to Daft (2016), when an environment becomes unpredictable, planning is actually imperative to the survival of a business. During times of uncertain change mangers shift their focus on planning activities for their employees that promote learning new skills, adapting to change, and innovation (Daft, 2016).

In 2001 when the World Trade Centers were under terrorist attack this incident sparked a frenzy among businesses to prepare plans in case such events happened again in the future (Daft, 2016). In 2012 when a disturbed young man decided to unlawfully enter an elementary school in the state of Connecticut and started shooting this incident began the planning and education of staff members in many different places of employment on how to manage and survive an active shooter situation (Downs, 2015).

As a nurse of 14 years I can remember when active shooter education became a part of our yearly competency education packets. It became essential for the hospital (a business) to educate their staff and implement a plan of action in case an active shooter were to enter our facility. According to Rorie (2015), the goal of any active shooter training is to review existing policies to identify weaknesses, establish protocols for employees on how to handle active shooter incidents, and improve communication between hospital personnel and first responders just to name a few. These goals are concurrent with the concepts promoted in Daft (2016), which encourages communication as the key for an organization to be successful in an uncertain environment. It is instances like the ones mentioned above that have placed the belief in me that planning is more important than ever before. As stated above we live in a constantly changing world, in order to be successful planning is essential to anyone or any business, and this is supported by the literature in our textbook.

Chapter 4: Is changing the organization's domain a feasible strategy for coping with a threatening environment? Can you think of an organization in the recent news that has changed its domain? Explain.

A domain as defined by Daft (2016) is any organization’s chosen “niche” in the environment that they choose to operate in. It is businesses chosen territory where they are known for either their products made or services provided. This environment sets the tone for the business regarding where they will operate within their chosen environment, and the goals needed to be achieved in order to be considered successful in that environment.

Changing an organization’s domain is a feasible strategy for coping with a threatening environment if it means staying operational as a business. As discussed above, all businesses are affected by the constant changes occurring in the world with technology. It is the driving force implementing changes in all areas of business. Businesses need to stay competitive to stay in business so if changing their domain to assist with that keeps the doors open then it is something to consider. Earley (2014), discusses staying competitive in the world of digital technology is not easy. Consumers are looking for the latest and greatest technological advances on the market, and the problem is companies are all creating similar item at the same time. Earley (2014), suggests that in order to stay competitive it might be necessary to break the organizations current business model for one that will allow for changes that will grow the company at a faster speed allowing it to stay competitive within its current domain.

Over the last 3 plus decades the Apple Company has been in the news multiple times unveiling their newest, latest, and greatest technological advancement in computer technology. Two men named Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started the company in the 1970’s. In 1980 the first MAC PC was presented and made available to the public. Over the last 3 decades the home computer, computer software, cellular phones, and hand held computer devices have been part of the advancements and contributions made by Apple to the world (Finkle & Mallin, 2010). Although the company stays within the technology domain they are constantly striving to take their business to the next innovative level to stay ahead of their competition.

Chapter 6: Compare the descriptions of the transnational model described in Chapter 6 to the elements of the learning organization described in Chapter 1. Do you think the transnational model would work in a huge global firm?

The transnational model as discussed by Daft (2016), states this model is useful for organizations looking to scale a complex business on an international level. The transnational model has proven to be effective for organizations that have locations spread all over the world as well as subsidiaries within the organization. The purpose of using this model for this type of organization is to incorporate technological advances, innovation, learning, and knowledge sharing to obtain both local and global business (Daft, 2016).

The learning organization as discussed by Daft (2016), is an organization that works on collaborative creativity to achieve their business goals. In learning organization there are fewer constraints, and an open teamwork and collaborative environment. There is no hierarchy structure within this organizational setting, and employees are trusted to do the work they were hired to do (Daft, 2016). The elimination of barriers is key to having a successful learning organization and usually leads to less formal reporting structures and more openness among all employees (Wen, 2014).

I do believe a transnational model would work well for a huge global firm because according to Daft (2016), that is the exact intent of the model. The model contains the following characteristics specifically designed in achieving global business success. Assets and resources are dispersed worldwide, structures are constantly changing and are flexible, managers are responsible for proposing new strategies that will function for the entire global company, and coordination is achieved through corporate culture (Daft, 2016).

How can/should a biblical worldview be applied?

Business, whether local or global can be a tough industry to survive in. Changes are bound to occur and how an individual chooses to view those changes can be influential in the decisions made that can affect any organization either in a positive or negative way. I have always tried to pull strength from the Serenity Prayer in situations where tough decisions have to be made. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference” (Reinhold Niebuhr).

References

Daft, R. L. (2016). Organization theory & design (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Downs, S. (2015). Active shooter in an educational facility. Journal of Emergency Management, 13(4), 303.

Earley, S. (2014). The digital transformation: staying competitive. IT Professional, 16(2), 58-60.

Finkle, T. A., & Mallin, M. L. (2010). Steve jobs and apple, inc. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 16(7), 31.

Rorie, S. (2015). Implementing an active shooter training program. AORN Journal, 101(1), C5- C6.

Wen, H. (2014). The nature, characteristics and ten strategies of learning organization. The International Journal of Educational Management, 28(3), 289-298. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1108/IJEM-04-2013-0062