MGMT 3720 UNTD Intrinsic Origins of Perceived Social Loafing Questions

Ethical Dilemma: Is Social Loafing Unethical?

As we discussed in this chapter, social loafing is one potential downside of working in groups. Research suggests that regardless of the type of task—from games of Tug of War to working on a group projects—research suggests that when working in a group, most individuals contribute less than if they were working on their own. Sometimes, these people are labeled shirkers, because they don’t fulfill their responsibilities as group members. Other times, social loafing is overlooked, and the industrious employees do the work alone to meet the group’s performance goals. Either way, social loafing is an ethical dilemma.

Whether in class projects or in jobs we’ve held, most of us have experienced social loafing in groups. We may even have been guilty ourselves. Although limiting group size, holding individuals responsible for their contributions, setting group goals, and rewarding both individual and group performance might help reduce the occurrence of social loafing, in many cases people just try to work around shirkers rather than motivate them to perform at higher levels.

Managers must determine what level of social loafing for groups and for individual employees will be tolerated in terms of nonproductive meetings, performance expectations, and counterproductive work behaviors. Employees must decide what limits to social loafing they will impose on themselves and what tolerance they have for social loafers in their workgroups.

Questions

1. 1. 1. Do group members have an ethical responsibility to report shirkers to leadership? If you were working on a group project for a class and a group member was loafing, would you communicate this information to the instructor? Why or why not? Your answer should be at least one paragraph (4 sentences). [10 points]
      2. Do you think social loafing is always shirking (failing to live up to your responsibilities)? Are there times when shirking is ethical or even justified? Your answer should be at least one paragraph (4 sentences). [10 points]
      3. Social loafing has been found to be higher in individualist nations than in other countries. Do you think this means we should tolerate shirking on the part of U.S. students and workers to a greater degree than if someone else does it? Your answer should be at least one paragraph (4 sentences). [10 points]
      4. Read “Extrinsic and Intrinsic Origins of Perceived Social Loafing in Organizations,” Academy of Management Journal 3 (1992), pp. 191–202. After reading the article, design a plan of action to prevent and discourage social loafing at UNT Dallas. Your answer should be at least two paragraphs (4 sentences each). [10 points]
      5. Additional information:
         1. Please make sure that to number your answers. (I will deduct up to 30 points for answers that are not numbered.).
         2. Read some of your classmates’ responses on the discussion board. Select two of your classmates’ responses that are interesting to you and post a reply to each classmate. This part of the assignment is worth 10 points (5 points for each reply).

Discussion Board Instructions

Your first post should be available by Wednesday, March 17th. Once several classmates post their responses, select two posts that are of interest to you. Then, comment on your classmate’s answers about any strong points or flaws in his or her answers.

Beyond the parameters above, you may show your own self-expression, initiative, and creativity to the content and style of your answers. Please do not attach a document with your answers. You will NOT receive credit for documents attached to your discussion board post.

DISCUSSION BOARD INSTRUCTIONS: Post one (1) original response to ALL of the QUESTIONS noted above AND at least two (2) replies to a classmate’s post in this discussion forum by the Syllabus deadline for this assignment (Each reply should be at least of one paragraph with 4 sentences).

A total of three (3) posts (as defined above) are required to receive credit for this discussion. DO NOT START A NEW THREAD—ALWAYS REPLY ONLY TO ME OR A CLASSMATE’S POST. Set your browser to “Show All”, “Threaded” to help in figuring out what is and is not ‘starting a new thread.’ Formulate and post your original response BEFORE reading anyone else’s post(s). After posting your original response, read all other posts and reply to one or more of them. Remember that this is a public forum—YOU CANNOT RETRACT (take back) a Discussion Post.

Key Points Covered in the Instructions above: A. three (3) posts are required; B. Number your answers; and C. double space between answers.

DUE DATES: Please check syllabus for due dates: First post with your answers due Wednesday @ 11:59 PM: Two reply posts due Saturday @ 11:59 PM