Course Syllabus MGMT 461 002

FALL 2008
COURSE NUMBER: MGMT 461 002
COURSE TITLE: Reward Systems and Performance Management
COURSE START DATE: 10/01/2008
COURSE END DATE: 12/10/2008
CLASS MEETING LOCATION/TIME: Portland Campus, SBA 140, Monday 5:40 9:40 p.m.
FACILITATOR INFORMATION:
Kathi Kroop, MA, SPHR
kkroop@pdx.edu
h203n1@comcast.net (Personal)
503-330-1129 (see availability below)
Normally I am available during the hours of 6:00am 7:00am Pacific Standard Time (PST) and
then 7:00pm 10:00pm Monday through Friday. Overall, the best method of contacting me, and
the means to get the quickest response, is via email or on my cell at 503-330-1129. On the
weekends, a phone call is the best means. I will do my best to return phone messages within 24
hours.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Study of performance management that aid in motivation, employee
development and productivity improvement to meet organization goals. Shows how job analysis
data forms the information base for compensation and performance appraisal processes. This
course includes an overview of how performance works to align with the strategic goals of an
organization.
REQUIRED READING: Performance Management by Herman Aguinis, 2nd Edition (Prentice Hill
2007) and assigned articles throughout the term. WebCT is available for this class and can be
accessed at www.psuonline.pdx.edu using your PSU student ID and PIN number.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The learning objectives of this course address the following:

What is entailed in performance management (from the general to the strategic)

The details of system implementation

Employee development issues

Links the relationships among performance management, rewards, the law and teams.

Real work experience as it relates to the area of performance management.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Participants are responsible for all material covered in the book and discussed/presented
in class.
Academic honesty is highly valued at Portland State University. Cheating/plagiarism will
be dealt with severely. ACADEMIC HONESTY IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PASSING
THIS COURSE.

Participants engaging in discussions will enrich the learning. One of the more dynamic
ways to participate is to relate real-world experiences as much as possible to the
discussions.

Late assignments will be subject to grade penalties.

o
o

1 day late - Loss of 10% of the possible points for the assignment.
2 days late - Loss of 20% of the possible points for the assignment.

More than 2 days late Zero on the assignment.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Quizzes: A quiz (or activity) will be given during class time AND be used for participation. The
quiz will cover the assigned chapter/topic for the week. There will be NO MAKE UP QUIZZES.
Term Paper: All students are required to write a seven (7) page (no longer) term paper on the
evaluation of a local organizations performance management system. Since this will require you
to interview employees at the organization you will be reviewing, please plan EARLY. The
papers focus will be on identifying the main strength and weakness in the organizations
performance management system with a recommendation on how to maximize the overall
system. Items to be included in the paper are:
1. Introduction will include:
a. Identification of the local company.
b. Identification of who is responsible for the enhancement of their performance
management system.
c. Identification of the person interviewed and how the performance management
system impacts them or how then can impact the performance management
systems.
2. Main body of the paper will include:
a. An overview of the organizations performance management system as
compared to the 14 characteristics of an ideal system as outlined in the Case
Study 1-1.
b. Identification of the primary weakness of the performance management system
(as discussed in class).
c. Identification of the primary strength of the performance management system
(as discussed in class)
d. Recommendation for how the organization can enhance their performance
management system.
3. Conclusion of the paper will:
a. Incorporate a summary of the overall impact of having a strong performance
management system.
b. Your opinion on how this exercise prepared you for your future employment.
Papers will be typed, double spaced, with proper citations and reference page. Students will be
required to use two academic/management journal reference articles and the text (failure to cite
these references will unacceptable). If in doubt, verify your sources with me.
Extra Credit: There will be no extra credit provided for this course.
GRADING/EVALUATION:

Grading is based on an absolute scale - you are not competing with anyone else, but you will be
challenging yourself. There are no distributions of grades; all of you can earn an A in this course
- if you apply yourselves and seek to expand your knowledge. Grades are given for results, not
for effort.
NOTE: Exam grades will not be translated to letter grades until the end of the quarter, when the
instructor will add all the points together to assign letter grades.
Mid-term Exam
Term Paper
Final Exam
Quizzes

Oct 29, 2008

Nov 19, 2008
Dec 10, 2008
See schedule below

30%
30%
30%
10%

COURSE SCHEDULE, MGMT 461, FALL 2008

Date

Course Topic

Text Readings

Other Info

Assignments

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS
10/1/08

Intro/PM Mgt/Rewards
PM Mgt/Strategic Planning

PM, Chapter 1

10/8/08

PM, Chapter 2-3

10/15/08

SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION
Defining /Measuring Performance
PM, Chapter 4-5

10/22/08

Gathering Performance Info.

Quiz

Guest

PM, Chapter 6

10/29/08
11/5/08

Quiz
Quiz
Mid-Term Exam

Implementing PM

PM, Chapter 7

Quiz

EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
11/12/08

Employee Development

PM, Chapter 8

Quiz

11/19/08

Performance Mgmt Skills

PM, Chapter 9

Term Paper

REWARDS SYSTEM, LEGAL ISSUES AND TEAM PERFORMANCE

11/26/08

Special Projects

12/3/08

Rewards Systems, Legal Issues

Managing Team Performance

12/10/08

PM, Chapter 10,

11

Quiz

Final Exam

UNDERGRADUATE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The SBA provides academic advisors as well as career and internship advisors to assist students
in making the most of their collegiate experience. Academic advisors are trained to provide
counsel in a wide range of issues. From selecting a business major to evaluating transferred
transcripts, academic advisors are here to help students with all of their degree related questions.
The following is a brief summary of the type of issues with which academic advisors can offer
assistance:

DARS reports
SBA admissions requirements
Major selection and requirements
Transcript evaluation
Course overrides
Transfer credit petitions
Career planning
Portland State rules and policies

In addition to academic advising, the SBA provides career and internship advisors to assist students in
landing a job upon graduation or a summer internship while students are still in pursuit of their degree.
Career and internship advisors can also provide resume and interview guidance.
All SBA advisors are available by appointment, which must be scheduled in advance. Drop-in hours are
available as well. Drop-in hours are held regularly throughout the week and are designed to help answer
routine or simple questions. For more information about SBA advising and drop-in hours please visit the
School of Business website at www.sba.pdx.edu and click on student resources.