Richard D.

Miller Office: (913) 351-3130

e-mail: richardmiller@kc.rr.com

The Function of the Executive

Fall, 2006

This course examines the roles, responsibilities and skills required of executives
in organizations by thorough examination and analysis of organizational space,
cooperative systems and the activities required of executives viz. those phenomena. In
this course we are working to develop your understanding of cooperative systems and
formal organization. This understanding is necessary to assure that you can consistently
distinguish what is required for both effective and efficient executive action. This course
provides us with a strong foundation for: 1) identifying the critical components of formal
organization in action; 2) identifying cooperative system capacity; 3) identifying limiting
(strategic) factors within a cooperative system; 4) determining actions and developing
programs for dealing with limiting factors; and 5) discovering the means by which these
programs are implemented. This course examines the condition and determinates of
Barnardian efficiency and inefficiency as well as effectiveness and ineffectiveness The
course then systematically examines the elusive and important relationship between
effectiveness and efficiency.
The goals of this course are to increase the students’ capacities to see, understand
and be able to successfully engage and succeed at executing executive responsibilities.
To do so, students need to be both knowledgeable and confident of what is being asked
of them. If they are, they will be able to see and understand the choices that confront
them as well as the consequences of the actions they take. The goal of this course is to
help them increase those actions which have real, effective and efficient (and
consequently lasting) effect on cooperative systems. As students learn and grow, they
will be able to perform The Functions, Processes and Responsibilities of The Executive-
-these are the unique, precious and unrecognized skills of the executive!

Texts:
We will draw our cases and from The Functions of the Executive by Chester Barnard.
Grading:
Grades for this course will be based on:

Classroom Participation 50%

Written Paper 50%

September 15- # 1- Friday Afternoon

Please Read and Be Prepared to Discuss the Issues Raised In:

Functions of the Executive- Chapters 1-5

September 29- # 2- Friday Afternoon (Double Session)

Please Read and Be Prepared to Discuss the Issues Raised In:

Functions of the Executive- Chapters 6-9

Denver Transportation Company

September 30- # 3- Saturday Morning

Please Read and Be Prepared to Discuss the Issues Raised In:

Functions of the Executive- Chapters 10-14

Allied Food Company

October 28 # 4- Saturday Afternoon

Please Read and Be Prepared to Discuss the Issues Raised In:

Functions of the Executive- Chapters 15-18

 November 4- # 5- Saturday Morning
Building High Performance Teams and Organizations- Leadership
in Action
Please Analyze the Following Case and Be Prepared to Discuss:

12 O’Clock High (motion picture)

November 18- # 6- Saturday Morning

Building High Performance Teams and Organizations- Leadership
in Action
Please Analyze the Following Case and Be Prepared to Discuss:

American Radiatronics (A)

December 15- # 7- Friday Afternoon

Summary and Wrap-up