Course Syllabus MGMT 461 002FALL 2008

 

COURSE NUMBER: MGMT 461 002COURSE TITLE: Reward Systems and Performance ManagementCOURSE START DATE: 10/01/2008 COURSE END DATE: 12/10/2008CLASS MEETING LOCATION/TIME: Portland Campus, SBA 140, Monday 5:40 – 9:40 p.m.

FACILITATOR INFORMATION:

Kathi Kroop, MA, SPHRkkroop@pdx.edu h203n1@comcast.net (Personal) 503-330-1129 (see availability below)

Normally I am available during the hours of 6:00am – 7:00am Pacific Standard Time (PST) and then 7:00pm – 10:00pm Monday through Friday. Overall, the best method of contacting me, and the means to get the quickest response, is via email or on my cell at 503-330-1129. On the weekends, a phone call is the best means. I will do my best to return phone messages within 24 hours.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Study of performance management that aid in motivation, employee development and productivity improvement to meet organization goals. Shows how job analysis data forms the information base for compensation and performance appraisal processes. This course includes an overview of how performance works to align with the strategic goals of an organization.

REQUIRED READING:  Performance Management by Herman Aguinis, 2nd Edition (Prentice Hill 2007) and assigned articles throughout the term. WebCT is available for this class and can be accessed at www.psuonline.pdx.edu using your PSU student ID and PIN number.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The learning objectives of this course address the following:

What is entailed in performance management (from the general to the strategic) The details of system implementation

Employee development issues

Links the relationships among performance management, rewards, the law and teams.

Real work experience as it relates to the area of performance management.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Participants are responsible for all material covered in the book and discussed/presented in class.

Academic honesty is highly valued at Portland State University. Cheating/plagiarism will be dealt with severely. ACADEMIC HONESTY IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PASSING THIS COURSE.

Participants engaging in discussions will enrich the learning. One of the more dynamic ways to participate is to relate real-world experiences as much as possible to the discussions.

Late assignments will be subject to grade penalties.

o 1 day late - Loss of 10% of the possible points for the assignment.o 2 days late - Loss of 20% of the possible points for the assignment.

o More than 2 days late – Zero on the assignment.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Quizzes: A quiz (or activity) will be given during class time AND be used for participation. The quiz will cover the assigned chapter/topic for the week. There will be NO MAKE UP QUIZZES.

Term Paper: All students are required to write a seven (7) page (no longer) term paper on the evaluation of a local organization’s performance management system. Since this will require you to interview employees at the organization you will be reviewing, please plan EARLY. The paper’s focus will be on identifying the main strength and weakness in the organization’s performance management system with a recommendation on how to maximize the overall system. Items to be included in the paper are:

1. Introduction will include:a. Identification of the local company.b. Identification of who is responsible for the enhancement of their performance

management system.c. Identification of the person interviewed and how the performance management

system impacts them or how then can impact the performance management systems.

2. Main body of the paper will include:a. An overview of the organization’s performance management system as

compared to the 14 characteristics of an ideal system as outlined in the Case Study 1-1.

b. Identification of the primary weakness of the performance management system (as discussed in class).

c. Identification of the primary strength of the performance management system (as discussed in class)

d. Recommendation for how the organization can enhance their performance management system.

3. Conclusion of the paper will:a. Incorporate a summary of the overall impact of having a strong performance

management system.b. Your opinion on how this exercise prepared you for your future employment.

Papers will be typed, double spaced, with proper citations and reference page. Students will be required to use two academic/management journal reference articles and the text (failure to cite these references will unacceptable). If in doubt, verify your sources with me.

Extra Credit: There will be no extra credit provided for this course.

GRADING/EVALUATION:

Grading is based on an absolute scale - you are not competing with anyone else, but you will be challenging yourself.  There are no distributions of grades; all of you can earn an A in this course

- if you apply yourselves and seek to expand your knowledge.  Grades are given for results, not for effort. 

NOTE: Exam grades will not be translated to letter grades until the end of the quarter, when the instructor will add all the points together to assign letter grades.

Mid-term Exam Oct 29, 2008 30%Term Paper Nov 19, 2008 30%Final Exam Dec 10, 2008 30%Quizzes See schedule below 10%

COURSE SCHEDULE, MGMT 461, FALL 2008

Date Course Topic Text Readings Other Info Assignments

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

10/1/08 Intro/PM Mgt/Rewards PM, Chapter 1

10/8/08

PM Mgt/Strategic Planning

PM, Chapter 2-3 Quiz

SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

10/15/08

Defining /Measuring Performance

PM, Chapter 4-5 Guest Quiz

10/22/08 Gathering Performance Info. PM, Chapter 6 Quiz

10/29/08 Mid-Term Exam

11/5/08 Implementing PM PM, Chapter 7 Quiz

EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

11/12/08 Employee Development PM, Chapter 8 Quiz

11/19/08 Performance Mgmt Skills PM, Chapter 9 Term Paper

REWARDS SYSTEM, LEGAL ISSUES AND TEAM PERFORMANCE

11/26/08 Special Projects

12/3/08 Rewards Systems, Legal Issues Managing Team Performance

PM, Chapter 10, 11

Quiz

12/10/08 Final Exam

UNDERGRADUATE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The SBA provides academic advisors as well as career and internship advisors to assist students in making the most of their collegiate experience. Academic advisors are trained to provide counsel in a wide range of issues. From selecting a business major to evaluating transferred transcripts, academic advisors are here to help students with all of their degree related questions. The following is a brief summary of the type of issues with which academic advisors can offer assistance:

DARS reports SBA admissions requirements Major selection and requirements Transcript evaluation Course overrides Transfer credit petitions Career planning Portland State rules and policies

In addition to academic advising, the SBA provides career and internship advisors to assist students in landing a job upon graduation or a summer internship while students are still in pursuit of their degree. Career and internship advisors can also provide resume and interview guidance.

All SBA advisors are available by appointment, which must be scheduled in advance. Drop-in hours are available as well. Drop-in hours are held regularly throughout the week and are designed to help answer routine or simple questions. For more information about SBA advising and drop-in hours please visit the School of Business website at www.sba.pdx.edu and click on student resources.