Managing Social and Human Capital

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/wharton-social-human-capital

Introduction

### Course Review: Managing Social and Human Capital on Coursera In today’s fast-paced business environment, effective management of human resources is more critical than ever. The **Managing Social and Human Capital** course offered by renowned Professors Mike Useem and Peter Cappelli from the Wharton School does an exceptional job of equipping managers and aspiring leaders with essential tools and insights to handle their most unpredictable yet valuable resource: people. #### Course Overview The course aims to bridge the gap often found in managerial training regarding the intricacies of managing personnel. It emphasizes that while people are essential to any organization's success, they are complex and require thoughtful management strategies. This course is designed for a wide range of professionals, from entry-level managers to seasoned executives, all seeking to enhance their understanding of how to motivate, assess, and lead teams effectively. #### Detailed Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Motivation and Reward** In this insightful module, participants explore how different motivational strategies impact individual performance. This module delves into the art and science behind incentive systems, behavioral psychology, and the dynamics of employee engagement. By understanding how to provide constructive feedback and conduct effective performance appraisals, learners will emerge equipped to foster a motivated workforce. 2. **Tasks, Jobs, and Systems of Work** Here, the focus shifts to the foundational elements of job design and its evolution over time. By comparing historical job design to contemporary systems—using key examples from giants like GM and Toyota—learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how job structures influence productivity and employee satisfaction. This module not only informs about past practices but also inspires innovative thinking about job design in the modern workplace. 3. **Making Good and Timely Management Decisions** To lead effectively, managers must master the art of decision-making. This module highlights the characteristics of impactful leaders and the qualities needed to make sound decisions promptly. The real-world examples included in this section provide practical insights into overcoming challenges and making strategic choices that positively affect team performance. 4. **Designing and Changing the Organization's Architecture** Understanding an organization’s framework is crucial for leading change. This module addresses how structural inequities can stifle organizational success and details strategies to overcome these hurdles. Case studies of leaders who successfully navigated organizational change will inspire learners and give them a toolkit for implementing change in their own organizations. #### Recommendations **Managing Social and Human Capital** is an excellent course for anyone serious about developing their managerial skills. Here are a few reasons to consider enrolling: - **Expertise**: Learning from established professionals at the Wharton School adds credibility and depth to the content. - **Practical Application**: The course is rich with real-world examples and case studies that translate theory into practice, making the lessons relatable and applicable. - **Comprehensive Content**: Spanning essential topics from motivation to organizational design provides a holistic view of human capital management, making it valuable for various managerial contexts. - **Accessible Learning**: As a Coursera offering, it offers flexibility, allowing participants to learn at their own pace, fitting seamlessly into busy schedules. In conclusion, if you're looking to enhance your managerial effectiveness and drive meaningful change within your organization, the **Managing Social and Human Capital** course is highly recommended. It provides the necessary insights and frameworks that will empower you to lead people more effectively and cultivate an environment where both employees and organizations can flourish.

Syllabus

Motivation and Reward

In this module, you'll learn how motivation affects an individual's performance and how to use that motivation to drive performance. You'll explore how incentive systems are designed and how psychological concepts such as behavior modification, imitation, conformity, and compliance influence and shape these systems. You’ll also examine the current process of hiring employees using technology, tracking systems, and outsourcing. And you’ll learn how you can provide valuable feedback to your employees, and make performance appraisals productive. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to apply what you've learned to best motivate, hire, and evaluate your employees.

This module is designed to teach you the difference between a task and a job. You'll learn how jobs are historically designed, and you'll explore some of the drawbacks related to past work systems. You'll also learn how job design has been influenced by engineering and psychology. Finally, you'll look at real world examples from the GM and Toyota to compare their respective approaches. By the end of this module, you'll understand how jobs and systems of work have evolved to improve employee performance and productivity.

In this module, you'll learn how to make good and timely management decisions. Through several real-world examples, you'll see how leaders create and build a decision making mindset. You'll also learn how leaders can make costly decisions that affect their team or their entire company negatively. By the end of this module, you will be able to apply key concepts to making good and timely management decisions and build a higher performing team.

This module was created to describe the influence of an organization's architecture on management and its team's performance. You'll explore how inequity fosters disparity among employees and can inhibit a company's success. You'll also look at two real-world examples of leaders who tackled problems within their organizational structures to effect change. By the end of this module you will be able to identify key steps in which you can lead change within your organization.