Social Work 246
Dr. Hardina
Social Work Practice with Organizations
Spring, 2006
1. What type of organization (non-profit, for-profit, government) was Gov.Works?
2. At what point was Gov.Works transformed from an informal organization started by two friends to a formal organization? What characteristics of informal and formal organizations were evident in the film?
3. To whom was the CEO (chief executive officer accountable)?
4. Were there clear lines of authority and organizational roles in this organization?
5. To what degree did friendship ties and family dynamics play a role in the development of organizational structure?
6. What techniques were used to foster organizational morale and motivate staff?
7. How would you assess the degree of diversity in this organization (age, social class,
gender, ethnicity, mental/physical disabilities, or sexual orientation)?
8. Identify the key point in the film when it became clear that there would be conflict between the two founders (Khaliel and Tom). Were you surprised when one of the two friends was asked to leave the organization? Why or why not?
9. What strategies could have been used to prevent or minimize the conflict between the two founders?
10. At the end of the film, it was announced that Khaliel and Tom had started another dot.com organization. Do you think that this second organization was likely to be successful? Why or why not?
11. Would you have wanted to work in this organization? Why or why not?