Assignment Overview
The case assignments were designed before Amazon purchased Whole Foods Market. Now that WFM is owned by Amazon the data needed is no longer available or out of date. This makes doing the case somewhat difficult.
We are going to analyze a different company for the cases: JAKKS Pacific, Inc. This is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ under the symbol JAKK. The company is in the toy industry.
So when you are reading the case assignments, just substitute JAKKS Pacific, Inc. where ever you see Whole Foods Market.
If you do a web search on "JAKKS Pacific strategy" you will find several good articles.
Also use IBISWorld in the Trident Library. Search on "US Toy & Craft Supplies Wholesaling". This will provide you with industry data as well as info on the competition in this industry.
NOTE - the actual assignment activities do not change, just the company that you are analyzing in the case scenarios.
The most important part of the paper is answering this question: JAKKS Pacific and ABC Company want to know if we (meaning you) think they should make any strategic changes or continue with the status quo. Synthesize everything you have discussed, provide a final recommendation, and justify your reasoning.
What is your recommendation? - continue with the current strategy (status quo) or change to a different strategy, and be specific about that strategy (grand strategy, Porter's generic, and specific goals/actions). And the EXPLAIN and JUSTIFY your recommendation.
When you explain or justify that means discuss "why". And you should go at least three levels deep in your "why analysis".
Review Case Analysis since it is so important in this final course. The purpose of a Case is to show that you have thought critically about the subject matter that you are learning and to make an argument for a Claim about the specific situation in the Case Assignment. Stephen Toulmin has developed an Argument Methodology that is very useful in Making a Case.
Assignment
XCG
THE EXCELLENT CONSULTING GROUP
COMMUNICATION FROM ART:
Let's wrap up this project.
So far, ABC Company and Whole Foods Market like what we've been doing. I have this last project, which involves analyzing Whole Foods Market's feedback loops and organizational learning opportunities.
I want you to take a look at the feedback loops in Whole Foods Market.
REQUIRED READING:
Refer to the background reading on System Feedback Loops.
Case Assignment
Identify one Balancing Loop and one Reinforcing Loop. These feedback loops should be critical to Whole Foods Market's performance and success. You should have a good idea of what these are from your previous analysis.
Explain each one of these loops - what are the causal factors and how do they affect each other. For the Reinforcing Loop, look for an area where there is growth. For the Balancing Loop, look for goal behavior. Once you have identified and explained these critical feedback loops, identify how Whole Foods Market has generated organizational learning, and how they can go further and generate additional organizational learning. What do they need to do to improve their performance further?
Be sure to include references. Turn in the 5- to 6-page paper by the end of the module.
KEYS TO THE ASSIGNMENT:
This is what you need to do:
1. Determine the two critical feedback loops. Describe each Feedback Loop that you identify in your organization and explain why you selected them. Make sure you explain the Loop, the cause and effect process within the Loop. You could also include a Causal Loop Diagram. If you do, show the arrows and direction of effect (+ or -). Also, determine what the warrant is for your case.
2. Briefly discuss the theory of organizational learning so that you provide a summary of this information to the executives - establish this as common ground.
3. Identify the learning activities in each feedback loop that Whole Foods Market has already undertaken.
4. Identify the opportunities for organizational learning in each Feedback Loop. Make a Case that these are learning opportunities. Logically show how the feedback process provides an opportunity for the organization to learn and improve its performance. Be precise. Depth and breadth in your discussion is always a good thing.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated on the following seven points:
- Precision - Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
- Breadth - Is the full breadth of the subject, that is, the Keys to the Assignment, addressed?
- Depth - Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the background reading and other background resources as references?
- Critical thinking - Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?
- Clarity - Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of quotations?
- Organization - Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?
- Referencing (citations and references) - Does the paper include citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the background reading and assignment present and properly cited?
- Are all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via citation?
Attachment:- Case Overview.rar