Business Management
1) Definition of the discipline
“The courses available for the business concentration are designed to
appeal to and inform the non-business student while covering a broad range of topics important to modern managers.”
2) Sub-fields
There are two sub-groups within the concentration: 1) required courses-- 9
hours and 2) the elective courses-- 9 hours. The required fields are three of the following: ACC 382, ECN 382, FIN 380, and
MGT 380 and either MKT 395 or MKT 394. The elective courses within that subgroup are any of the above plus CIS 300, REA 380
and LES 380.
3) Statement on the perspective of the discipline.
This area focuses on the managerial, economical, and financial aspect within
society and the world.
4) Courses Taken:
I am currently taking MKT 395 and have also taken FIN 380, REA 380, and MGT
380.
5) Two Important Courses:
Two important concepts within this discipline are the management process and
Globalization. The management process is “planning, organizing, leading and controlling the use of resources to accomplish
performance goals.” Management requires of a process that must be followed in order: planning, organizing, leading and
controlling in order to be successful. In a company one cannot organize without planning or control without being able to
lead. Therefore the manager in the company must first plan the process of setting performance objectives and determining what
actions should be taken to achieve them. This then leads to organizing the activities of individuals and groups. Then, leading
and finally controlling which is where the plan is put into action.
Another important concept is Globalization. It is basically a globally integrated
system o economic interdependence among countries. For example, important aspects of globalization are exporting and importing
of goods between countries. Globalization has increased cross-cultural interchange of ideas and relationships; reshaping the
world. It is an extremely important aspect of business.
6) Two Theories:
Two important theories in business are the McGregor: Theory X and Y and Maslow’s
Hierarchy of needs.
The X and Y theory was pioneered by Douglas McGregor. He believed that managerial
assumptions create self-fulfilling prophecies. He separated managers into two groups, the theory X managers and the theory
Y managers. Theory X managers use classical directive “command and control” style. They believe that employees
dislike work, are irresponsible, lack ambition, and resist change. With theory X managers it is either their way or the highway.
They make decisions and do not like any input from anyone. On the other hand,
Theory Y managers use behavioral “participative” style. They believe employees are willing to work, responsible,
creative, etc. All the opposite of the beliefs of theory X managers. These managers are open for input and focus on bringing
teams together. Such theory is important to understand because it helps us determine our own management style and it also
helps us identify the management style of our own managers and to better understand them and why some managers and companies
are more successful than others.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs was pioneered by Alfred Maslow. This theory
explains the impact of management behavioral styles on employee motivation, rewards and benefits. There are five needs that
need to be met in order for employees to be more motivated to perform their jobs to their fullest. The lower-order needs are:
the physiological needs, safety needs and social needs. The higher-order needs are: esteem needs and self-actualization needs.
Once a manager is able to help an employee fulfill these needs, it is guaranteed that the employees performance in his/her
job will be to its max. This theory is important because it helps managers know what to do to keep their workers motivated
and performing to their fullest, which in return makes the company and managers more successful. In return, everyone is content.
As you may see the two theories are much related in one or more ways.
7) Three Books:
1) “Personal Finance by Jack R. Kapoor, Les R. Dlabya and Robert J.
Hughes; ” 2) “Real Estate Principals by Allen Floyd;” and 3) “ Advertising and Promotion by George
and Michael Belch.” They are all very important books because they go beyond only management and help explain and understand
other important concepts within the business discipline. They are all related in some way and are used and applied within
the management area as well.
8) Two Academic Journals:
1) Economic Consequences from Mandatory Adoption of IASB Standards in the
European Union" by Joe Comprix and 2) Journal of Finance by Professor Spencer Martin.
9) Two Associations:
1) National Association of Home Builders 1201 15th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20005.
2) American Bankers Association 1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036.
Communication Concentration
1) Definition of the discipline
“...Communication focuses on teaching students how communication processes create, maintain and transform identities,
relationships, workplaces and communities. Our mission statement is: "Through the study and critique of human communication,
we generate knowledge, creativity and understanding to facilitate healthy relationships and workplaces, civil and secure communities,
and constructive intercultural interaction."”
2) Sub-fields within the discipline.
There are two subfields within this concentration. Six hours within the core
courses which include: COM 100 and COM 259. The second group is the elective courses; twelve upper division hours must be
completed within this subfield and there is a wide range of choices to choose from.
3) Statement on the perspective of the discipline.
This area is extremely important in society because all other areas are based
on communication. Without communication nothing could be accomplished. Communication is the means through which people get
things done and understand each other. It is very important to be able to communicate properly with others, understand others,
manage conflicts effectively, etc. According to Afifi, Andersen and Guerrero, ”whether you are trying to fulfill self-presentational,
relational, or instrumental goals, communication is the vehicle through which you attain these goals...it is the mechanism
by which relationships are developed...glued together...and dissolved.” (p.11).
4) Courses Taken:
COM100, COM 259, COM 312, COM 317, COM 310 and COM 371; I have completed all
the requirements for this area.
5) Two important concepts:
Two important concepts in communication are Interpersonal and relational communication
and verbal and nonverbal messages.
It is important to understand the differences between these two types of communication
to understand everything else in communication and to communicate effectively. Interpersonal communication is the exchange
of verbal or nonverbal messages between people, regardless of their relationship. Relational communication on the other hand
focuses on messages exchanged between intimate or potentially intimate relationships. Understanding both types of communication
helps people exchange messages properly, develop and keep good relationships. One must understand these two concepts to understand
how communication works.
The second concept is verbal and nonverbal messages. After understanding interpersonal
and relational communication, a person finds that interpersonal communication consists of verbal and nonverbal communication.
Nonverbal communication encompasses kinesics (facial expressions, body movement, and eye behavior) vocalics
(silence and the way we say words, including pitch, loudness, tone, and speed) appearance (physical
attributes such as height, weight, attractiveness, and clothing) Proxemics (the way we use space) haptics
(the use of touch) and chronemics (the use of time). All those behaviors can send powerful messages
without every saying a word. Sometimes nonverbal actions may speak louder than words. For example, someone can say “I
love you” without really meaning it. But the person who spends time with you, gazes into your eyes and interprets your
body language sends a stronger message than the person who said “I love you” without really meaning it. Verbal
communication is expressed through actual words. Yet that does not mean that people always communicate effectively, sometimes
miscommunication occurs.
6) Two Theories:
Two theories important within this area are The social penetration theory
and the semiotics theory.
The social penetration theory was introduced by Altman and Taylor. They described
this theory as four stages that people can go through as they go from being strangers to being intimates. The first stage
is the Orientation stage, this is the stage is when people meet for the first time and usually lasts through two or three
more encounters. The second stage is the Exploratory Affective Exchange; this is the stage of acquaintances, casual friends
and casual daters. The third stage is the Affective Exchange, breadth and depth of self-disclosure increases; usually, close
friends, family, and romantic partners. Finally, the fourth stage is the Stable Exchange, complete self-disclosure usually
within family members or married couples.
The second theory is the semiotics theory. It was introduced by Ferdinand
de Saussure and Charles Sanders Pierce. Semiotics is basically the study of signs and sign systems. This theory helps people
understand why one sign may mean one thing in one part of the world, yet, something completely different in another part of
the world. It explains the way any sign functions in the mind of the interpreter to convey meaning in a specific situation.
This is important to understand the operations of all in the signs that exist to help us communicate and do it effectively.
7) Three Books:
1) “Nonverbal Communication in Close Relationships by Laura K. Guerrero
and Kory Floyd;” 2) “ Close Encounters: Communicating in Relationships by Laura K. Guerrero, Peter A. Andersen
and Walid A. Afifi;” 3) Semiotics and Communication: signs, codes, cultures by Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz.” They are
all important because they discuss the different aspects of communication, whether in personal or interpersonal relationships.
Also, they created a foundation and helped me understand communication throughout the world and the communication similarities
and differences among different cultures. They also focus on other forms of communication such as non-verbal communication.
8) Two Academic Journals:
Journal of Applied Communication Research and the Communication Quarterly.
9) Two Professional Associations:
The Association of Human Communication at ASU (AHC@ASU) and International Associations of Business
Communicators (IABC).
