Craig C. Lundberg

Case Writing Reconsidered

In this article, we argue that the contemporary ideal teaching case is becoming a decision-focused one and that dysfunctional consequences may arise from such a singular focus. The value of the case method is blunted when solely or overly focused on decision making. We suggest that case writers and teachers may usefully rediscover the roots of the case method and encourage and appreciate case variety. Provided is a preliminary listing of alternative case types and a classification of case objectives that support the aim of generating discussion for the enhancement of managerial thinking, not simply decision-making capabilities.

Unraveling Communications Among Family Members

A role-based perspective is developed, including roles occurring in reciprocal pairs such as father-daughter, manager-subordinate, spouse-spouse, stockholder-employee. A conceptual model of role-to-role communications is outlined and the communication process among family members as role performers is discussed. Suggestions for enhancing family communications are noted.

A note on emotions and consultancy

Although most consultants appreciate the role emotions play in change projects, many have little understanding regarding emotions and how they influence behavior. By providing a basic framework of emotions, and explicating how emotions affect cognitive processes and behavior, argues that emotions and change projects are interlinked. Because the client’s need for help is typically triggered by negative circumstances, clients often experience unsettling negative affective reactions they wish to alleviate. Although consultants are ostensibly hired to provide expertise and assistance on matters of content, we argue that clients’ manifest requests for assistance are also almost always implicit calls for emotional help. The emotional help that consultants may provide consists of effectively managing the client’s emotional needs in two arenas: the situation in which the client finds him or herself, and the client‐consultant relationship.

Towards a general model of consultancy

Outlines the foundations for a general theoretical model of consultancy. Specifies the assumptions, domain and model criteria and then goes on to define clients and consultants as meaning‐activity systems and the essence of consultancy as uncertainty reduction.

Creating a good first day on the job: Allaying newcomers' anxiety with positive messages

The first day of work appears to be critical for a new employees attitude about his or her new company, and about the messages it conveys on this day. A sample of hospitality-industry newcomers remembered mostly negative first-day incidents involving supportiveness (or its lack), appreciation (or blame), being made to feel welcome (or unwelcome), and being made to feel part of the family or team (or experiencing conflict and separation). Organizations need to focus on job aspects that are most critical to the newcomers and provide newcomers with the information most useful to them for alleviating the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the entry process. Structured activities held on the first day should make newcomers feel welcome and provide emotional support. The process of socialization can affect a newcomers performance, satisfaction, and commitment to (or intention to leave) the organization.

Towards Mapping the Communication Targets of Organisational Change

Four perspectives are outlined on organisational phenomena and three types of organisational change. Using those categories, a framework is developed which identifies 12 major organisational communication focuses. That framework facilitates identification of the nature and purpose of organisational communication from each perspective as it relates to each type of organisational change.

The Great Case-Teaching-Notes Debate

Teaching notes, sometimes called an instructor’s manual, are routinely required to accompany written teaching cases that are submitted to case journals and case writing conferences. Although the content and organization of these notes have become fairly standardized, the literature on the case method contains relatively little discussion concerning the merits and limitations of case notes. It seems widely assumed by case writers that case notes are both essential and positively useful. This article is a modified transcript of an interactive presentation debating the merits of case notes that typically accompany teaching cases.

In quest of strategic planning

Although it may not be possible to predict the future, you can make estimates of the likelihood of future events and determine strategies for dealing with those events. In this way, strategic planning becomes a guide for the future, rather than a straitjacket imposed by the past

Designing Organizational Culture Courses: Fundamental Considerations

Organizational culture courses are popular yet are taught in a variety of ways. This article explores six basic considerations (three philosophical and three pedagogical) that shape organizational culture instruction.

Productivity Enhancement Through Managing the Service Encounter

As economies become increasingly dependent on their service sector, service productivity becomes more important to understand and improve. This article argues that quality service is the key to service productivity and discusses those factors, some within managements control, that impact the behavior of service providers.