Task Overview and Instructions
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to solve a business problem using a theoretical framework informed by empirical academic studies. Using academic literature, you will provide information regarding the business problems and offer potential explanations for the business issues. Using what you have learned in the lectures, tutorials, text-book and other sources you will analyse the transcripts/feedback provided to identify the source of the business problems. You will then make recommendations based on your findings and the literature to the CEO of the company.
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. The materials and information for this assignment are used for educational purposes only and are not a critique of any company or any affiliated companies. The opinions and views expressed in this document are a work of fiction and do not represent the University of the Sunshine Coast's policy or opinion. All characters and data are fictional.
Topics for the Report:
Choose one of the following two topics:
1. Open plan office (Management)
2. Brand and Service Quality (Marketing)
The Report Structure must be:
- Cover page/Title Page - Name, student number, tutor name/day/time, word count
- Executive summary(no longer than one page) - overview the purpose, type of analysis/methods, most important findings in summary, most important conclusions and recommendations
- Table of contents (should also include a list of figures / diagrams / tables if used)
- Introduction(estimated 150 words):
o Overview of the business problems
Provide a statement of the business problems from the symptoms
- Overview of literature on the topic(Estimated 800 words):
Write a literature review that overviews what previous empirical work has found regarding your chosen topic
State what theory you will use to investigate the business problems
• Overview the theory and explain the concepts and elements of the theory
• Justify why this theory helps to explain the business problems
• Write a managerial decision statement and corresponding research objectives and research questions based on the theory and literature regarding the business issues.
- Methods and Results(Estimated 500 words):
o Introduce what qualitative analysis is. Remember the audience may not have any knowledge of what a qualitative analysis is.
o Report what the method was and how the interview data was collected. Write in enough detail that someone else can understand exactly what was done and how.
o Present the findings of the analysis in a table and graph, ensure you reflect on the findings and summarise (do not just show a table/graph with no explanation). Refer to the course materials to help.
- Recommendations and Conclusions(Estimated 500 words):
o Based on the findings give the CEO some recommendations about how to improve the business problems. This should link to the academic literature and theory from the introduction.
- List of references - either APA or Harvard (choose one and be consistent)
- Appendices - this could include the interview schedule (you will need to make it up based on the questions shown in the transcript, you can add more information if needed) and notes on how the coding was completed
Report format:
Font size 12, Times New roman, double spacing, and word count 2,000 (+/- 10% 1,800-2,200). Note. The word count does not include the executive summary, headings, tables, graphs/figures, the reference list or appendices.
Topic One information: Open plan office (Management)
You are creating a business report for the CEO of a designcompany, called Gallifrey Inc. It must be professional in presentation and contain insightful content for the company to make business decisions.
Gallifrey Inc. has approximately 19 staff members and has been operating for over ten years.
Gallifrey Inc.is a multi-award winning, full service creative agency. The studio HQ is located in Brisbane and they service clients nationally in particular Sydney and Melbourne. Gallifrey Inc. produces creative works that connects clients to key stakeholders. Their services involve Brand identity, graphic design, digital services, and media services. This can involve brand strategy and visual identity through to all printed and digital media requirements. The company can work with clients on one basic component for branding or business needs, or develop an entire marketing plan and implement the strategy across all platforms. There is one managing director, one studio and production manager, eight designers, two IP barristers, one digital producer and project manager, two project managers, three ecommerce specialists and four admin staff.
The CEO decided to change the layout of the offices a while ago and now a brand new fit out has occurred making the offices all open plan. Now the managers, assistants, designers, IP barrister, project managers and ecommerce specialists are all in one large space and no one has an office of their own. It has been a couple of months and the CEO wants to know whether or not the open plan office is working well. The CEO expected that it would help to increase collaboration and productivity. However, there have been some issues with noise complaints and clients have complained about a lack of privacy.
You have already conducted in-depth interviews with five staff members and have the transcripts available in a file labelled "BUS101 ATMC Topic One_ anonymous transcripts". The interviews lasted approximately 20 minutes each and you followed a semi-structured interview style with an interview protocol. The interviews were conducted onsite.
You need to code the transcripts for the common themes and create a business report for the CEO. The report must highlight the positive and negative aspects and give recommendations to help the company based on the data, literature and theory.
There are many possible theories/concepts/frameworks which can be used the following are some suggestions.
If you find another theory/concept/framework you must have approval from your tutor.
Choose ONE Suggested theory: Job demand Resources theory (JD-R) or Job Demand-Control theory (JDC), Self-determination theory
Readings to Assist:
1. Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2017). Job demands-resources theory: Taking stock and looking forward. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 22(3), 273.
2. Häusser, J. A., Mojzisch, A., Niesel, M., & Schulz-Hardt, S. (2010). Ten years on: A review of recent research on the Job Demand-Control (-Support) model and psychological well-being. Work & Stress, 24(1), 1-35.
3. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian psychology/Psychologiecanadienne, 49(3), 182.
Topic Two information: Brand and Service Quality(Marketing)
You are creating a report for the owner of a pizza company called Oh Cheese Pizzeria Co. based on social media feedback. You have retrieved feedback from the website regarding the quality of the product and the service in store and in delivery.
The sales for the company have been declining over the last year and the owner wants to know what they can do to turn this around and increase the amount of new customers, retain customers, and improve the company in general.
There are many possible theories/concepts/frameworks which can be used the following are some suggestions. If you find another theory/concept/framework you should discuss this with your tutor.
Choose ONE Suggested theory:Brand equity theory orService Quality framework
Suggested readings:
1. Yoo, B., &Donthu, N. (2001). Developing and validating a multidimensional consumer-based brand equity scale. Journal of business research, 52(1), 1-14.
2. Dagger, T. S., Sweeney, J. C., & Johnson, L. W. (2007). A hierarchical model of health service quality: scale development and investigation of an integrated model. Journal of service research, 10(2), 123-142.
3. Dabholkar, P. A., Thorpe, D. I., &Rentz, J. O. (1996). A measure of service quality for retail stores: scale development and validation. Journal of the Academy of marketing Science, 24(1), 3.