IME 6000: Concepts and Principles of Engineering
Management

Course Information

Dr. Larry A. Mallak
Professor and Course Coordinator
Office: E-228 CEAS
Phone: (269) 226-3369
Fax: (269) 585-5933
Web Site: drmallak.com
E-mail: larry.mallak@wmich.edu

Catalog Description

“Concepts, models, and applications of organizational behavior in engineering management settings. Understanding and analyzing the role of human behavior in complex sociotechnical systems.”

Required Texts:

(1) Luthans, F. 2005. Organizational Behavior (10th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. (2) IME 6000 coursepack—purchase at Xanedu.com ( CoursePack ID: 257273 ) or build it yourself using resources from WMU’s Waldo Library.

Optional Resource:

Robbins, S. R. (2002). Self-Assessment Library: Insights Into Your Skills, Abilities, and Interests (2 nd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Available from most on-line bookstores for $20.

Prerequisite Learning

Students are expected to have knowledge of and the ability to apply the following concepts in class:

1. A working knowledge of the basic theory/practice of management.
2. Basic understanding of key business processes (e.g., production, finance, marketing) and technical processes (e.g., manufacturing processes, engineering design process). This is typically accomplished through active participation and successful completion of a B.S. degree in engineering or an engineering-related curriculum and through work experience, whether part-time, coop, intern, or full-time employment.
3. Able to understand, write, speak, and present in clear, understandable English.
4. Experience finding articles using databases such as ABI/Inform, FirstSearch, InfoTrac, Lexis-Nexis, and other sources.
5. Experience using the Internet, accessing Web pages, using e-mail to communicate, and using search engines to find relevant information.

Readings for IME 6000 (Fall 2006) - Dr. Mallak

R1. Fortune: The New Rules. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/
07/24/8381625/index.htm

R2. One More Time: How Do You Motivate Employees? Herzberg, Frederick. In Harvard Business Review, Case No. 87507. Published 09/01/1987, Harvard Business School Publishing, (12 pages).

R3. The Real Reason People Won't Change. Kegan, Robert; Lahey, Lisa Laskow. In Harvard Business Review, Case No. R0110E. Published 11/01/2001, Harvard Business School Publishing, (9 pages).

R4. The Leadership Lessons of Mount Everest. Useem, Michael. In Harvard Business Review, Case No. R0109B. Published 10/01/2001, Harvard Business School Publishing,
(7 pages).

R5. Crucibles of Leadership (HBR OnPoint Enhanced Edition). Bennis, Warren G.; Thomas, Robert J. In HBR OnPoint, Iss. September 1. pp. 1-10. Case No. 1717. Published 09/01/2002, 2002. Harvard Business School Publishing, (10 pages).

R6. Fishman, C. Sanity Inc. Fast Company, Issue 21 (Jan. 1999), p. 84+. Available on-line: http://www.fastcompany.com/online/21/sanity.html

R7. Fishman, C. Insanity Inc. Fast Company, Issue 21 (Jan. 1999), p. 100+. Available on-line: http://www.fastcompany.com/online/21/insanity.html

R8. Armstrong International Three Rivers. http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/mallak/
Armstrong%20Intl%20Three%20Rivers%20Det%20News%207-28-06.pdf

R9. Baldrige Application Summary for Bronson. http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/mallak/BronsonBaldrigeAppSummary05.pdf

R10. Starbucks' Howard Schultz on 60 Minutes. http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/mallak/
Howard%20Schultz%2060%20min%20CBS%204-06.pdf

R11. Will Disruptive Innovations Cure Health Care? Christensen, Clayton M.; Bohmer, Richard; Kenagy, John. Case No. R00501. Harvard Business Review.

R12. Intelligentsia Coffee Culture. http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/mallak/
Intelligentsia.NYT.pdf

R13. How Resilience Works. Coutu, Diane L. In Harvard Business Review, Case No. R0205B. Published 05/01/2002, Harvard Business School Publishing, (6 pages).

All material available in IME 6000 coursepack. Purchase from Xanedu.com
( CoursePack ID: 257273) or obtain from library.

IME 6000 Self-Assessment Notebook

Throughout the course, you'll take a variety of pencil-and-paper instruments to learn more about yourself as an employee and manager. Each student will maintain a three-ring notebook containing the results of these instruments, interpretive comments, and action plans for change. Prior to turning these notebooks in for grading, the student will write a short (2-3 page) analysis reviewing the entire notebook, focusing on his/her results and what he/she will change as a result of this information to become closer to your personal view of the "desired manager." Your notebook should have the following information for each instrument:

1. Your responses.
2. Interpretive comments about your results, especially as compared to your expectations, others in the class, and any historical data that have been collected using the specific instrument.
3. Action plans for change--What will you change (about you or your perspective) as a result of this assessment? How can you become a better manager/worker based on this information?

Instruments to include in self-assessment notebook
(see drmallak.com for links)

1. Keirsey Temperament Sorter
2. Motivation Questionnaire
3. Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument
4. Type A test
5. Power & Politics Questionnaire
6. Blake & Mouton Managerial Grid
7. Emotional Intelligence
8. Communication Skills
9. Job Diagnostic Survey

Consider using the optional resource for aid in completing the self-assessment or for further self-assessment beyond the scope of this course:

Optional Resource: Robbins, S. R. (2002). Self-Assessment Library: Insights Into Your Skills, Abilities, and Interests (2 nd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Available from most on-line bookstores for $20.