This section contains the case assignments that were discussed in recitation sections; these materials were used for 15.310 but not for 15.301.
| SES # | TOPICS | CASE ASSIGNMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Influence paper guidelines and group formation | |
| 2 | The three lenses |
Case: Southwest Airlines Assignment: Using each of the three lenses, describe the differentiating characteristics of Southwest Airlines. Could a competitor imitate them? Should they? What would they need to do? |
| 3 | Attitudes |
Case: Ben and Jerry Assignment: What attitudes did Ben instill in the organization? If you were Chuck’s advisor, what would you recommend? |
| 4 | Motivation |
Case: Mary Kay Kerr, Steve. “On the Folly of Rewarding A while Hoping for B.” Assignment: What kind of behavior does the incentive system try to encourage? Would you be motivated by the system? (Try not to focus on the specifics of the product but on the incentives.) |
| 5 | Ethics and decision making | No case assigned |
| 6 | Influence | No case assigned |
| 7 | Creativity |
Case: IDEO product development Assignment: What are the key elements that have allowed IDEO to be successful? Can they grow and keep the environment that they have created? |
| 8 | Groups |
Case: Mount Everest ‘96 Edmondson, Amy C., Richard Bohmer, and Gary P. Pisano. “Speeding Up Team Learning.” Harvard Business Review 79, no. 9 (2001): 125-134. Hill, L. “Managing Your Team.” Harvard Business School, 1995. Assignment: Think of the best or worst team you have ever been in. Describe them. What made those teams what they were? What could you have done to improve the worst one? What have you tried to emulate from the best one? |
| 9 | Leadership |
Case: Re-engineering MIT Mehegan, David. “Re-engineering MIT: How President Charles Vest Put MIT Back on Track.” Boston Globe Magazine, 2000. Jones, David G. “Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?” Harvard Business Review 78, no. 5 (2000): 62-70. Assignment: I have hired you as my leadership consultant. I am worried that people in my class do not participate enough. You have attended a couple of classes and are ready to give me your suggestions. List and explain the suggestions you would give me. |
| 10 | Power |
Case: Margaret Thatcher Assignment: Of the different sources of power available to Thatcher, pick one, explain how she uses it, and explain why you picked it for your essay. |
| 11 | Culture |
Case: 3M profile of an innovating company Schein, E. “Coming to a New Awareness of Organizational Culture.” Sloan Management Review, Winter 1984. Assignment: Compare the culture of your department/school with the culture of MIT at large and with the 3M culture. |
| 12 | Bringing it all together |
Case: Meg Whitman at eBay Assignment: What changes does Meg need to do for eBay to be able to continue to grow? Think of all the concepts we have covered. Which ones provide her with tools to help eBay grow? |
