Note: This collaborative project requires you to delve into a selection of relevant literature, analyze competing perspectives, and consider ethical issues associated with a workplace problem. You'll work on your own and in collaboration with other group members, much as you will in a team-based workplace. This collaborative discussion requires you to post at multiple points through the week, both contributing your own ideas and responding to others.
We've placed this project early in the course so you'll benefit from seeing how others approach these tasks as you're working on your own project. You'll work together in a small group during Modules 3 and 4, with the group project presented to the class during Week 4. Remember, you must individually demonstrate mastery of the Collaboration competency to successfully complete the Capstone.
Case study: G2Q is a multinational company specializing in the commodification of water. In response to company shareholders' demands for higher revenue, the company has adopted increasingly aggressive practices in its quest to acquire controlling rights to regional water resources around the globe. As part of that initiative, the company secretly proposed a profit-sharing agreement with some local leaders in a South Pacific location in exchange for the right to divert more surface and spring water to expand their bottled water production. This has resulted in local protests and work slowdowns at the local plant, which in turn decreased productivity and financial losses.
In an attempt to return to profitability, G2Q brought in managers from company headquarters to displace indigenous people previously hired in supervisory and leadership roles. None of the incoming managers speak the local language, and most complain about what they consider to be substandard living and working conditions.
Most of the employees are members of ethnic minorities from the host country with distinct differences in cultural norms and language preferences. For example, some behave as though they speak no English, while others refuse to make eye contact with managers. Still others appear to agree with everything managers say, then ignore their directions.
One former manager who quit, married a local, and lives in a nearby village has advised the incoming managers that "things are done differently over here" and cautions them against rushing to judgment. That presents a dilemma, as the company CEO has promised all managers a sizeable bonus if the plant regains its formerly profitable status within two years. Otherwise, the company will close down that location, firing the managers and leaving hundreds of people with little hope of finding other employment.
Directions:
Note: There are three distinct threads used in this discussion. You must post in the designated threads as follows: post in the "Issues" thread Monday through Wednesday; post to the "Consensus" thread on Thursday and Friday; and post to the "Strategies" thread Saturday and Sunday.
1. Take stock of varying perspectives of the situation, starting with your own. What do you think about the situation presented in the case study? Why do you feel as you do?
2. Issues thread: Individually, draw upon the literature and by Wednesday contribute an informed position about issues noted in the case study. Here's a list of possible issues to jump-start the process and to inform your work:
o Ethnocentrism
o In-group favoritism
o Outgroup bias
o Cultural inequities
o Intergroup conflict
o Organizational values
o Ethical decision-making
o Economic impact
o Social Justice
o Cross-cultural theory
Consensus thread: Consider your own perspective about these issues (back to step 1), and then consider how reviewing the literature (step 2) affected your perspective. (In other words, how did learning about other views influence your own worldview?) Share this with your group, and listen to the views and ideas of group members.
Consensus thread: As a group, reach consensus by Friday about the factors listed in step 2.
0. What are the ethical implications of the decisions and actions of the company, managers, and employees? Who's affected, and how?
1. How do these decisions and actions demonstrate (or not demonstrate) social responsibility?
Strategies thread: Based on the results of steps 1-4, brainstorm by Sunday possible strategies to strengthen workplace harmony and improve performance:
0. Short-term actions
1. Long-term strategies and policy recommendations
2. How will you measure success?
In Module 4 you will continue this group activity by working together to draft a collaborative plan of action that honors and builds upon diverse cultural perspectives.
Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. Work offline, proofread carefully, and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it. Posts must be properly organized in logical paragraphs with appropriate transitions linking each paragraph. All citations must be in APA format. We expect all Capstone students to demonstrate senior-level college writing skill.
When you are ready to post, click on the "Create Thread" button for a new thread or "Reply" to respond to a previous post. Then, copy/paste the text from your document into the message field, and use the formatting tools in the message box to edit your work. Before posting, use the 'preview" icon in the upper-left corner of the message box to view your work. When you're ready to post, click "Submit."