Question Exam

You are answering 4 questions. (2 questions from document titled “Midterm” and 2 questions from “Final”)

Each answer should be, at minimum, 500 words (or the equivalent of two double-spaced pages), APA Format.

Clearly identify which questions you are answering (I will be answering as current public employment position-currently working for Social Security Administration)

Answer the questions by either using (A) a previous or (B) current public employment position or (C) as an online student of the MPA Program at Troy University. Use the same position in answering all four questions.

Identify which (A, B or C) organization you will be using in answering all four questions. 

Each answer includes all three steps: Step (1) identify the concept; Step (2) describe or define in your own words and Step (3) apply it to your organization or the university.

No outside research is called for in answering these questions. However, when making any claims, cite with credible sources. You are writing a well-organized, well-reasoned graduate level essay which incorporates material from the course. All claims must be attributed to a source: yourself (In my experience…As a pilot….), the textbook or scholarly journal you have already discussed in class. No answer should have just your opinion but instead your judgment anchored in credible works.

Personal relevance is as a public professional. This isn’t an informal, self-reflective chat based upon opinion.

Therefore, each answer must include reference to the course. All answers are to relate to theories of organizations.  

Your final is two-part. 

PA6620 Mid-Term Examination

Mid-Term Examination covers the material in Chapters 1-7, 11 and 14.

Answer 4 of the 9 questions below. Clearly identify which questions you are answering. 

Answer the questions by either using (1) a previous (2) or current public employment position or (3) as an online student of the MPA Program at Troy University. Use the same position in answering all four questions.

Chapter 1: Why do you think your/public institutions of higher education are prone to criticism? Which criticisms are warranted? Are they more prone to criticism than private organizations/institutions of higher education? Why or why not?

Chapter 3: How does the economic environment affect the services of your organization/Troy University? Affect your utilization of its services? What job competencies should be required of the employees/administrators, faculty and staff?

Chapter 4: What are competence and responsiveness values, and what are their implications for your organization/Troy and its mission? Describe the ways societal values and institutions influence its operation.

Chapter 6: Review the public website for your organization/Troy University to identify the institutions goals and comment on the following: Are the stated goals clear or ambiguous? Do any of the stated goals conflict? Can the goals be ranked in terms of institutional priorities? Which goals are more important? In what ways do the stated goals overlap?

Chapter 7b: As an employee your goal is career advancement and fulfillment. Your ability to achieve these goals are based on your own effort, but also based on factors that you may not have power over. Using the ideas presented in the chapter analyze the power and influence relative to your situation.

1. List the persons that you depend upon for career advancement and fulfillment. What is the basis for each of these dependencies? How strong are these dependencies?

2. Do you view these dependencies as positive, negative, dysfunctional?

3. Do you have any influence over each person you depend upon? How can you maintain a base of influence?

4. What resources do you need to gain further influence?

Chapter 14a: What considerations are necessary to a well-informed decision on whether or not to contract out to adjuncts (that is, not full-time faculty) teaching responsibilities?

OR

Chapter 14b: What considerations are necessary to a well-informed decision on whether or not to contract out your organization’s services? Are the considerations similar in the private and public sector? In what ways is the decision more complex in public organizations?

PA6620 Final Examination Questions

Final Examination covers the material in Chapters 8-10, 12 and 13 and material not selected in the mid-term.

Answer 2 of the 4 questions below. Clearly identify which questions you are answering.

Then, answer 2 from the 5 you didn’t answer for the mid-term.

Chapter 8a: Troy University utilizes an intranet for enrolled students (my.troy.edu) and the open internet for general consumption. How do these two platforms manage knowledge? How are Galbraith(1977) techniques for designing and coordinating activities based on information processing reflected in your use of these platforms?

OR

Chapter 8b: Your organization employs a public online persona and utilizes internal network communication systems. How do these two platforms manage knowledge? How are Galbraith(1977) techniques for designing and coordinating activities based on information processing reflected in your use of these platforms?

Chapter 9a: How would you measure student motivation for online learning at Troy? What difficulties are encountered in measuring? How would you describe and apply the three methods often used in organizations to enhance motivation to the MPA Program?

OR

Chapter 9b: As a public employee, make three lists: a list of the factors that motivated you to join, a list of factors that motivate you to maintain your membership, a list of factors that may prompt you to disassociate yourself from the organization. Do the same factors apply to all three cases? Are your responses (or reasoning for your responses) consistent with what scholars (Barnard, 1938; March and Simon, 1958) have said on the subject of motivation and, more specifically, on the factors relevant to joining organizations and maintaining memberships?

Chapter 12 Discuss how the degree of cohesion and culture of the group affected your motivation to perform. Discuss how you as an individual may have or could have influenced the motivation level and performance of the group.

Chapter 13: Choose two (2) motivation theories previously discussed and explain their implications for change efforts at Troy University/your organization and choose two (2) leadership theories previously discussed and explain their implications for change efforts at Troy University/your organization.