Assignment 3: Organizational Level of Analysis Instructions
Instructions
Assignment 3: Organizational Level of Analysis – Analyzing a
real organization (30% of course grade)
Purpose:
To explore and better understand organizational performance
and effectiveness through an organizational level perspective.
Related to the following course objectives:
based on an understanding of human behavior, create and
sustain an organizational environment that leads to high performance
analyze and respond to leadership challenges such as
decision making, change, conflict resolution, and organizational commitment in
an organization at every level
Deliverable:
Approximately 1500-2000 word length single spaced report including
a cover page (your name, assignment title, course name, the date, and the
professor’s name) and research references.
Introduction to Assignment
For this assignment, you will research and analyze the
organizational performance and effectiveness of one of the organizations listed
below. You will also propose OB-relevant recommendations for change and
improvement.
IKEA
Costco
Apple
Amazon
American Airlines
US Department of Homeland Security
You do not need to confirm which company you are analyzing.
It will be assumed you will choose one of these companies. Alternative
organizations with unique challenges may be selected for analysis but will
require instructor approval. Examples would be the privatization of Dell, or an
organization for which you have a career-oriented reason. To discuss
alternative Final Project topics, post a message under the Ask the Professor
discussion board.
Your analysis should include:
an interview, if available, of organizational members,
stakeholders, or qualified relevantly-experienced OB experts familiar with your
topic
research findings of the organization’s web sites
data, information and ideas, particularly from Weeks 6 and 7
readings/resources, and at least four outside academic or credible, respected
business publications
a SWOT analysis on the organization.
documented and evaluated OB strategies or interventions that
the organization could use to enhance its overall performance and
effectiveness.
proposed and evaluated OB-related recommendations for
improvements in the organization.
Read and follow all the Instructions carefully. Your
analysis should evidence critical thinking skills (review Bloom’s Taxonomy) in
identifying and explaining organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats. Emphasize course materials and resources assigned for Weeks 6 and
7; namely, but not limited to, managing groups and teams, group behavior, work
and self-managed teams, communication, conflict and negotiation, and
decision-making, along with outside research material. Strive for originality
and depth. Use examples and research information to support claims. Use
American Psychological Association (APA) format for in-text citations and the
reference list. Use the comprehensive outline format described in Instruction 9
to present your research, findings, analysis, and recommendations.
Instructions
1) Review the
assignment purpose, course objective, and introduction above and the grading
rubric at the end of these instructions.
2) Review
library and Internet resources on one of the approved organizations before
making a selection. Choose from the list and research an organization based on
your level of interest in the subject, applicability to your job or career
goals, what you would like to learn about, and feasibility for successful
performance. Focus research on factors described in Instructions 3, 4, and 5.
3) Identify,
analyze and evaluate OB concepts/theories that create an environment (work and
organization design) that leads to high performance.
4) Identify,
analyze and evaluate strategies, policies, and procedures relating to
leadership challenges such as decision making, change, conflict resolution, and
organizational commitment in an organization at every level.
5) Identify,
analyze and evaluate techniques relating to human resources policies and practices
(personal selection, training and development, and performance evaluation).
6) Create a
SWOT analysis using standard four-square format for each component and bullet
points (Google SWOT analysis template for samples) to present organizational
level factors identified and examined in Instructions 3, 4, and 5.
7) Discuss
each SWOT component analyzing and evaluating the organization’s environment,
leadership, and human resources policies and practices.
8) Create at
least three recommendations, synthesizing key findings and ideas to maximize
ongoing improvements to organizational performance and success.
9) Draw data,
information, and ideas from at least six required resources (at least three
from each of Weeks 6 and 7) listed in the weekly content of our classroom, plus
at least four credible, authoritative, relevant outside sources for a total of
at least ten references. Your outside references should show a mix of scholarly
and applied/practical sources, largely drawn from ’s Information Library
System (ILS), and including classic writings. Review APA citation materials and
Tips on Research Sources in Course Content. Cite research sources within the
paper’s body using APA in-text formatting. Include a Reference list with
complete source information at the end of the paper. See specific formatting
and heading template instructions below in Instruction 12. Alphabetize
references under each subheading. You are expected to write your own unique
thoughts, using quotes only when the source’s verbatim statements uniquely
enhance meaning and understanding. Deductions will be taken when quotes are
overused and found to be unnecessary.
Don’t reword passages from your resource. Instead, explain to your
reader its meaning and importance
In-text citation:
(Casey, 2002, p. 50). [Include publication date
Reference citation:
Casey, C. (2002). Critical Analysis of Organizations:
Theory, practice, revitalization. London: Sage
10) Identify and
present in bold font at least eight different OB concepts, theories, methods,
strategies, interventions, or practices in your organizational level analysis.
Demonstrate through context and/or endnotes your understanding of the terms’
definition and meaningfulness to the meet the assignment’s purpose and course
objectives.
11) Determine
what significant learning and understanding you gained from your research and
analysis. Identify and evaluate at least three valuable take-aways you learned
from this analysis, and how you envision applying them to your job or career.
12) Use the
outline below for topic and subtopic headings and subheadings. Additional
subheadings may be added as needed to present an analysis that meets the
purpose, objectives and instructions provided. As a report, under each heading,
standard essay form should be used in discussing the analysis and subsequently
the recommendations. Use examples and cite support sources as presented above.
Title page your name, course name, assignment, date, and
instructor’s name.
Brief description of organization [name, size, type of
business, service and/or products, location]
III. SWOT
analysis
1.A. In a table,
provide a SWOT with key items bulleted in each category S-W-O-T. Then discuss
the elements providing your fuller explanation with examples, making it
relevant to our readings (cite). In each area of S-W-O-T address it from the
perspective of the organization’s internal/external environment, their leadership
and HR policies and practices.
1.IV.
Recommendations
Recommendation 1
Recommendation 2
Recommendation 3, etc.
1.VI.
Significant learning
Learning or Take-away 1
Learning or Take-away 2
Learning or Take-away 3, etc.
VII. References
13) Use
Microsoft Word for your text documents. WRITE IN OBJECTIVE THIRD PERSON VOICE.
Be concise and keep your paper at approximately 1500-2000 words in length
including cover page and references, but rest assured that substance is more
important than length. Again, APA reference format is required.
14) Submit the
Final Project paper to your Assignment Folder by the due date. Also upload it
to Turnitin established by your instructor.
