In-basket Decision Task #2 (for leaders)

Screen 1

Your department will soon be implementing a new software system. Senior leaders have let you know that as the pilot group, it is important that this initial implementation go smoothly and on schedule. If you do a good job on this project, your reputation will likely improve – this is a significant opportunity. If you do a poor job, your reputation will suffer – this is a significant danger.

Head Office has outlined the standard software package that will be implemented. They have also released a description of optional features that are available. Unfortunately, you do not have time to research these optional features yourself. If you recommend adding any optional features, you will have to justify this cost to Head Office. If you do not add some features until after the initial implementation, you will need to justify to Head Office why this was not done earlier. Some of your employees have researched these additional feature packages and they have been given the opportunity to comment on them. They may have information from the front lines that you do not have.

Before you make your decision you will have the option to consider different types of messages sent by one or two randomly chosen employees. The information they send may be important to make a good decision. Since you hold the authority to make this decision, you can choose whether or not to be influenced by the recommendations. Your task is to make a good decision with the limited data you have available.

Followers who are able to influence you will be entered into a draw to win a prize worth $100.

INDICATE INTEREST BY ASSIGNING POINTS TO EMPLOYEES AND/OR TYPE OF VOICE

Screen 2 – SAME AS IN-BASKET - DECISION TASK #1

INSTRUCTIONS ON READING OF MESSAGES

Screen 3 - SAME AS IN-BASKET - DECISION TASK #1

INDICATE INTEREST BY SPENDING TIME READING MESSAGES

Screen 4

Leaders were able to click on each of the following lines to access a message*:

 (NAME OF HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE) has some information about a possible opportunity that could make the work situation better (THIS IS PROMOTIVE VOICE)

If clicked, this was revealed: Message from (NAME OF HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE): Optional feature #1 will make work processes simpler. I think this will make recruiting easier when we need to hire more people. If we add it, this will cause us to be better off. I think we should add optional feature #1.

 (NAME OF HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE) has some information about a possible threat that could make the work situation worse (THIS IS PROHIBITIVE VOICE)

If clicked, this was revealed: Message from (NAME OF HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE): Optional feature #2 will make work processes simpler. I think this will make our current employees less likely to leave, so we will not need to recruit replacements. If we do not add it, we will be worse off. I think we should add optional feature #2.

 (NAME OF HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE) has another piece of information about a possible opportunity that could make the work situation better (THIS IS THE SECOND PROMOTIVE VOICE MESSAGE WHEN THE FIRST MESSAGE IS PROMOTIVE ALSO)

If clicked, this was revealed: Message from (NAME OF HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE): Optional feature #3 will make work processes simpler. I think this will increase our productivity which will make our customers even more loyal to us. If we add it, this will cause us to be better off. I think we should add optional feature #3.

 (NAME OF HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE) has another piece of information about a possible threat that could make the work situation worse (THIS IS THE SECOND PROHIBITIVE VOICE MESSAGE WHEN THE FIRST MESSAGE IS PROHIBITIVE ALSO)

If clicked, this was revealed: Message from (NAME OF HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE): Optional feature #4 will make work processes simpler. I think this help ensure that the system does not crash which would cause us to lose customers. If we do not add it, we will be worse off. I think we should add optional feature #4.

*NOTE: ONLY TWO OPTIONS WERE OFFERED. WHEN THE OPTIONS WERE FROM DIFFERENT FOLLOWERS, THE OPTIONS WERE MATCHED BY ISSUE (E.G. OPTIONS 1 AND 2 GO TOGETHER; OPTIONS 3 AND 4 GO TOGETHER)

INDICATE DECISION BY ASSIGNING POINTS TO RECOMMENDATIONS BY EMPLOYEES OR NOT

Screen 5

Again you have 100 points to distribute across these options. An option to which you are fully and solely committed should receive 100 points (while the others receive 0 points). An option to which you are not committed at all would receive 0 points, with varying amounts given to options to which there is partial commitment.

You must use your best judgment in deciding whether or not to be swayed by your employee(s). If you decide to buy one or more of the optional features, you may be asked to justify this decision. If you do not buy an optional feature that is later

considered desirable, you may be asked to justify this decision. The employee(s) who affect your decision may be rewarded by the researchers.

Now it is time to make a decision. You have three options:

____ Buy optional feature #(1/2/3 OR 4) as per (HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE) ____ Buy optional feature #(1/2/3 OR 4) as per (HIGH OR LOW LMX EMPLOYEE) ____ Do not buy any of the optional features at this time.

6.1.7

In-basket Voice Task #3 (for followers)