Final
The final is an opportunity for you to critique the ability of a group of five peers to analyze a problem. Your task is to evaluate how the class tackles the questions below and to provide the CEO (that would be me) with the input from your team (the class) on the problems. I know the solutions will be presented. So here is the case:
The CEO asks you, the CIO, to provide two things. First, he wants you to write out a report that answers three of four questions he has put to you. Second, he wants to know how useful your team (select five) was in helping you answer these questions. Now to this end, the CEO has an incentive program. He offers $5,000 total for you to award your team as you see fit. In exchange, he wants a rational for why you distributed the bonuses as you did.
You may use my postings as well (I am wearing two hats, but the Nicolay in the conference is my twin brother), but do not use the text books or articles directly. Just use what is posted. If a classmate or professor uses material from source material, your reference is to the student or professor, and indirectly the source. For instance, "Nicolay highlights Cokins' appreciation for the CIO as a solution maker." On the same hand, you may not find suitable material. If this is the case, discuss the limitations of the team in reaching an understanding of the problem. I do not want you to go out of your way to criticize or praise. Look at the limitations and strengths of the group dynamic. This is a lesson in group problem solving. Use your team in any combination you wish to address the questions. I am not looking for your assessment directly, but the team's assessment, such as it is.
This final examination is to be no more than 1,500 words. Because all your citations are from conferences, no reference page is needed. It is due by the end of day Saturday (December 3). I need Sunday to grade as there is a short window to turn around the end of term work. You may write at any length on these topics not to exceed the total for the project, but you must address three questions. When you quote a classmate use the APA private correspondence convention for the citation (Author, Discussion Title & #, Time Stamp). The point of this examination is to provide a mechanism for analyzing the conferences. A title page and abstract are not necessary.
Process (in this order):
- Write in memo format.
- Select your team of five for the entire project. One team. You can include yourself and your professor. List your team. Why did you select this team? How much of the $5,000 does each earn? Each member is identified in the responses you write as a citation. You might select someone because s/he provided a critical view or unique insights. The CIO (you) is not the kind of leader who demands everything said appeases him/her. S/he values honesty and creativity. Your team may not be especially helpful, but what are you going to tell the CEO? Unlike the midterm, just use one team. Each member may not be totally helpful for each question.
- Restate each question, and number them (1, 2, 3, and/or 4). Provide a logical discussion of the question. What is important is your analysis of process more so than the specific answers. None of this is new if you participated in the discussion.
1. The CEO is interested in learning about "greening" as an economic imperative. The Board of Directors has one crusty "hug a tree" member. This member demands that the CEO appease her concerns, but other members are more focused on maximizing profits. The CEO is walking a thin line. Specifically, the CEO is concerned that he might face moral imperatives beyond profit and the constrictions of law? Your panel is examining this question: What governs our corporate behavior really? Or do we get captured by the corporate ethos that shapes our public morality?
2. The CEO has asked the CIO to adopt "sustainability" as a strategy; to what resources does the CIO direct his attention? This is not a green question, but rather, profit based on strategies to sustain the corporatiom. The Board of Directors believes that the IT Department in particular is heavy with engineers who are not fully engaged. On the other hand, you have built loyalty into your team. You are concerned that if you cave to this "maximize profit" mentality you will undermine the esprit d corps you have built into the department. Sustainability is an ethical problem.
3. When the CIO ponders customers, he can think narrowly or broadly, that is internally or externally. His strategies will differ from one to the other. The CEO believes that "customer" is a big tent problem and he wants his/her entire team on board with this, but the CIO has established a department culture that divides the focus between staff serving internal demands, and his leadership team more focused on strategic problems. The CEO wants to know how you intend to achieve balance between your approach and his/her.
4. The corporation has a strong policy prohibiting the use of social media on corporate computers, on corporate time. Apparently it is not strong enough. The CEO has been charged with financial improprieties along with a board member on what is believed to be a Facebook fictitious account. He asks you to look for any activity on Facebook through corporate Internet access. You explain that such activity is blocked by policies on the Firewall. Then he asks you and your team to address the use of personal devices (tablets, smartphones) and provide policy recommendations regarding their use.
Should you have any questions, please do ask.
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