In the Mastering Management series, students will apply their knowledge of Organizational Behavior and Management Theory to resolve a number of situations at CanGo. Early episodes will address such foundational topics as motivation, leadership, teamwork, and individual behavior. In the accompanying videos, students will see some familiar and frustrating problems such as co-workers who don't want to contribute to a group effort, a leader who doesn't provide needed structure, and a team that can't get themselves organized to accomplish the required tasks. Students will have to identify where the problems lie, which theories explain the problems best, and which strategies will be most effective at addressing the problems.

Students Help to Solve Internal Struggles

Later episodes will deal with broader issues such as work design problems, the impact of a changing organizational culture, dealing with resistance to change, and ethical issues in doing business. In these episodes, students will see that as CanGo grows and moves toward its much anticipated IPO, internal struggles result both between groups of workers and within each individual. Once again, students must turn to their understanding of Organizational Behavior and Management Theory to acquire insight into the causes of the problems and the actions that are needed to successfully move through them.

In the exercises for these videos, students will first be given a brief summary of the theories that will be used to analyze the problem. Then their ability to apply those theories to the scenario in the video will be tested. From there, students will move on to some very unique and challenging interactive exercises. They will have to draw from their knowledge to build plans for the characters, to critique the plans that a character has decided to undertake, and to evaluate the merits of several possible courses of action. In some cases, students will have to go to the CanGo Web site to examine memos or organizational charts. The videos, exercises and Web site are designed to draw out the students' understanding of Management concepts and give them experience in applying their knowledge to realistic and engaging business scenarios.

Work Motivation
	The CanGo management team faces the task of preparing a group of young employees to design CanGo's new online gaming site. To meet this goal, the management team must motivate the employees to take on a set of new and challenging tasks. In the process, students learn essential concepts of motivation.
Leadership
	Liz faces the challenge of leading two very different groups of followers, one an experienced group of senior managers, the other a group of young employees. Through this episode, students learn about a variety of approaches to leadership.
Organizational Change
	With the possibility of an IPO looming, Liz feels that CanGo must adopt a more formal organizational structure. Liz's suggestion prompts a heated discussion among the members of the management team about the relationship between CanGo's culture and its future performance. Through this episode, students learn about some of the difficulties associated with organizational change.
Individual Behavior: Causal Attributions
	Warren must decide whom to promote to a managerial position. In so doing, he is forced to reflect on his understanding of his subordinate's capabilities. Warren's problem serves as an opportunity for students to learn more about attribution theory.
Groups and Teams
	Maria heads a team charged with the task of putting together a promotional presentation for CanGo. The problems she faces in getting the team to act in an organized and effective manner gives students a chance to explore key issues in team formation and performance.
Job Design
	Some of CanGo's employees feel under-motivated, under-appreciated, and out of the loop. Warren and Liz must work together to solve the problem. Their challenge presents students with an opportunity to learn about the relationship between work design, job satisfaction, and productivity.
Organizational Culture
	CanGo's shift to a more formal organizational structure leads some employees to complain that the company has lost its distinctive edge. Liz and the management team must finds ways to blend the new structure with the best of CanGo's old spirit. Through this episode, students learn about the cultural challenges that face growing firms.
Ethical Issues
	In this episode Andrew faces a difficult dilemma. One of his staff members confides that she is thinking of leaving the CanGo. Soon after, Andrew has to decide whether to give this person access to potentially important information about the company. Andrew's problem serves as an opportunity for students to wrestle with the complexity of business ethics.
Decision Making
	Andrew must choose between staying with CanGo or pursuing an alternative career. Through this episode, students learn about the processes that are involved in sound decision making.
Planning
	CanGo must come up with a detailed plan for implementing their online gaming initiative. In order to succeed, the CanGo team must use a number of planning tools. Students get an opportunity to see the connection between planning theory and practical application.
Performance Appraisal
	Students get an opportunity to sit in on Warren's performance appraisal with Nick. While Nick is an underachieving employee, the appraisal is process turns out not to be effective in identifying his strengths and weaknesses. Students are asked to this process along with the methods that CanGo uses to evaluate employees.
Communication
	Miscommunication leads to heightened anxiety among the CanGo team about the holiday work schedule. The management team learns that they must be much clearer in their communication, particularly with new employees. Through this episode, students see the importance of effective communication to successful management.