Paper Project Homework: Problem Solving
The project presents an opportunity for you to apply what has been learned in the course (through videos, cases, readings, and discussions) to problems in an organization that you have worked for or are familiar with (example.. as a shopper). This homework requires you to apply topics and concepts from the course in an attempt to solve two specific problems that exist in an organization with which you are familiar. The problems should center on either a job performance issue or an organizational commitment issue. The paper should be 1000 words in length (all-inclusive). More details are provided below.
Gather information from people in an organization through direct contact or your personal experience. You may supplement this information with data from the media, the organization's literature, and other secondary sources. You should identify two relatively recent problems to analyze (i.e. this should not be a historical account of a problem and the company's solution). You should focus your analysis by applying the concepts from the course. While it is acceptable to incorporate several concepts from the course, please aim for depth regarding the use of course concepts. Your goal is to diagnose the mechanisms that are causing the problems or issues of concern in the organization. Initially, you may notice many symptoms (for instance, high turnover, seemingly low morale, low commitment, motivation, etc.), but your task is to get to the underlying reason for these symptoms. And beware, sometimes the initial symptoms we think we see are not what they appear to be.
There are two broad goals for this homework:
I. One goal of this homework is obviously to take the initiative to make a positive contribution to an organization.
II. Another major goal is to provide an opportunity for you to learn more about organizational behavior first hand and to use your critical thinking and reflection skills to link your experience with this organization to your learning in relation to organizational behavior theory.
To meet these broad goals, you should answer the following questions in the homeworks detailed below.
1) What are the issues or problems facing the organization (identify 2 problems)?
2) What course concepts can be applied to understand why this problem is occurring?
3) What recommendations can you offer to help improve organizational functioning (Develop 2 recommendations for each problem; a total of 4 recommendations)?
The Report
1) Company or organization's background (including Mission/Vision Statement)
2) What are the issues or problems facing the organization?
3) What course concepts can be applied to understand why this problem is occurring?
4) What recommendations, based on these course concepts, can you offer to help improve organizational functioning and address the problem you identified (4)?
The Presentation
Create a PowerPoint Presentation using the information in your written report. The PowerPoint presentation will be visible to other students. In the PowerPoint presentation, please include the following slides:
Slide 1: Company or organization's name
Slide 2: Company's Mission/Vision what are the issues or problems facing the organization?
Slide 3: List the 2 issues or problems facing the organization
Slide 4: List the 4 recommendations to help improve organizational functioning and address the problem you identified?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.