The student will be provided with Case Studies (or similar exercises) related to the current readings during Units 1 through 8 of the course. After reading the relevant cases (or similar exercises), as a minimum, the student will write answers to all questions following the required case and submit them by 11:59 p.m. Sunday CT. If the case or exercise does not have following questions, there will typically be requirements listed in the surrounding reading or exercise. If not, following the below section on How to Write a Case Study will be sufficient analysis. Directions provided here will indicate when to use the “How to Write a Case Study guidelines.
Directions
Using information from the textbook and from outside reading, the student should respond to each question below as regards the corresponding case study (don't forget to number each response) in approximately 2-3 paragraphs per question. All cited material must include both internal citations and a complete reference list at the end of the paper. A cover sheet should minimally indicate the Case Study number, the name of the course, the student's name and the date.
How to Write a Case Study
You have to think like a practicing manager if you want to analyze a case successfully. As part of your analysis, it is necessary, but not sufficient to answer the following questions in enough depth to show that you have performed more than a superficial reading of the caseâ€TMs content, and subsequently applied relevant theory.
- What is the issue being presented or analyzed in the case? Focus on the main issue in the case if more than one topic is presented. Use your judgment to decide on which issue is the one that is potentially most costly to an organization if left unresolved. There are more kinds of cost to be considered than economic costs. Do not neglect them in your analysis.
- Where did the issue take place? Consider this because you need to take into account cultural and environmental considerations that may differ from those of the United States, in your analysis.
- When did the issue take place? There may be historic and environmental considerations different from those of the United States, which should be taken into account in your analysis.
- Who was affected by the issues? In other words, who are the stakeholders inside and outside of the organization that need to be considered when formulating an analysis, and possible response to the situation?
- Why did the issue occur? This may involve conjecture on your part. It is all right to speculate; just identify your speculation as such. In an empirical case, causal factors may be identified as such.
- How would you, as a manager, apply the insights gained from the case to improve an (your) organization's operations?
I expect to read narrative answers that are written in grammatically correct, well-formulated English sentences. Each paragraph should be organized around a single topic, and transitions should flow logically from one paragraph to the next.
If you have questions about your writing, you are more than welcome to contact me and we can work through ways to improve
Chapter 6, Exercise 6.1 The intervention style indicators
Please read the exercise and:
- Score the instrument.
- Which is your most preferred style (or styles)?
- How does this make you more (or less) effective as a manager? As someone leading a change effort?
- Do the results of this instrument surprise you? Do you think that you should change your style? Why or why not (to both questions)?
- Submit your answers to questions 1-4 by the previously specified deadline.