Internet Exercises

Activity 1: Systems

Introduction:

The idea of systems is based on hierarchy: subsystems, within systems, within suprasystems. If we think of organizations as systems, comprised of many subsystems (e.g., departments), then we can get an understanding of how groups (subsystems and sub-subsystems) function in organizations.

Instructions:

Go to the websites of two different organizations such as Cisco and General Motors. Find information on the organization's hierarchy. Usually, this information is on the "corporate" page. For example, if you go to Cisco's Corporate News and Information page you can click on the Executive Management Team link. From that page, you can find out about the organization's board of directors, officers, and senior staff. For GM, click on Profiles. under the heading Corporate Info. Here you'll find general information about the company as well as profiles of the topic executives. By exploring the corporate side of these websites, you can learn about how the companies organize themselves.

These pages provide clues about the organization's hierarchy and the organization's system. Use the company websites to answer the following questions.

1. Assuming the organization is the system, how is the hierarchy structured? Who (persons or groups) is on the top tier? The next tier? The next? Based on the information you find on the websites, draw a diagram of each organization's hierarchy.

2. What subsystems can you identify in each organization? For example, different divisions or offices within the organizations are likely subsystems within the larger system (the organization).

3. What do you think is the suprasystem for each organization? That is, what do you think is larger than the organization and can influence the company? For example, many universities are part of a larger suprasystem. In California, each state university (such as San Francisco State) is part of the California State University. If we think of each state university as a system, then the CSU is the suprasystem. How might companies such as GM and Cisco be part of a larger suprasystem?

4. What are the goals of each organization? How does each group within the organization fit within these goals?

5. What evidence can you find that the organizations rely on teams or groups to complete tasks?

Activity 2: Ethics

Introduction:

Instructions:

Santa Clara University's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics sponsors an extensive site called "The Ethics Connection". Under "Practicing Ethics", the Center includes resources on decision making. Although this information is primarily geared toward the individual, "A Framework for Ethical Decision Making" can easily be applied to small groups.

Reflect on an ethical dilemma you've faced in the past when working in small groups. Then, follow the steps in the framework, answering each question to the best of your ability. Jot down your answers to each question so you can review them later.

1. Did this framework cast the ethical dilemma in a different light? If yes, how did you view the problem differently? If no, to what degree do you think you considered these questions at the time you faced the problem?

2. What have you learned about ethical problems in small groups based on applying this framework?

3. How practical is this framework? In what sorts of small group situations might this framework be useful?

4. How responsive do you think other group members would be to using this framework to discuss an ethical problem?

5. How will you apply what you've learned from this activity in future small group work?