Assignment Detail

Assignment ID: FG133040770

Managing Group Behaviour Without Formal Power (read the last line)

The case study is both an academic exercise as well as an opportunity to resolve an organizational problem.  In this context, as Organizational Behaviour (OB) students, you will work in teams, acting as consultants, to analyze an organizational situation by applying the theories and concepts learned in class. Your team will identify possible solutions and recommend an overall best solution. Your report and presentation must include the parts indicated below: 

Introduction: 

This section is a very brief summary of what is happening.  Assume that the reader has never seen the actual case study, so you will need to be sure that the reader understands the “big picture” as to what is happening in the case.  Include names and information of significant occurrences/events. 

Statement of the Problem:

 In no more than one or two sentences, present the major Organizational Problem as you see it.  Remember to focus on the problem, not a symptom. I recommend checking with me to make sure you are headed in the right direction. Tip: Writing the problem in general terms will give you more flexibility in the next stage of the process, analysis.

Analysis:

The analysis demonstrates that you can apply the course material. You will provide a detailed analysis of the issues/causes relating to and surrounding the Organizational Problem using the OB theories assigned.

The major objectives of the analysis are to illustrate: 

1. Illustrate how the assigned OB concepts and theories are relevant to the Organizational Problem you have identified.
2. Apply the assigned concepts and theories to better understand the causes of the problem and circumstances surrounding it.

For example, if you state that Jane is stereotyping her co-workers, you must clearly demonstrate how she is doing that with the information provided in the case. Then you will demonstrate the effects of this stereotyping on others, on decision making, on relationships, on productivity and job satisfaction, etc… In other words, what are the implications as it relates to the problem statement?

In the analysis you MUST use OB terminology in your explanations to demonstrate your understanding and application of the concepts.  However, definitions are not required. Although you may use definitions to introduce a topic, keep them short. Therefore, in the Analysis section:

• Apply a theory/concept to a given situation or person and provide examples from the case to support your viewpoint.   Use of direct quotes from the case can be useful.
• Explain how the concept relates to the situation or is a factor contributing to the problem. This must always be done. If what you are discussing cannot be related to the problem and/or situation, then it is not worth discussing.
• Be thorough in your analysis.  Use the textbook as well as supplemental course notes and handouts to aid you in your analysis.
• Do not make value judgments without support.
• Do not offer solutions in the analysis section.  Do not say what should or shouldn’t happen.  Stick with analyzing what has already occurred.
• Do not say what someone should or should not have done in the past. Discuss only what happened.

Solutions to the Problem: 

Begin this section by restating your problem statement. Next, identify three possible solutions to the problem. These must be distinct, realistic and practical. 

• For the first two solutions explain why it is an option, but also why you are not choosing it as the optimal solution.
• For the chosen solution, simply state what the solution is.  The explanation will come in the Justification section.

Justification of the Solution: 

The justification identifies why your solution will work, not only to solve the problem, but to deal with the symptoms as well.  You need to take this justification back to all of the issues you discussed in the case study analysis.  Be detailed in your explanation.  In some cases, a chosen solution may not address everything.  In that case, indicate that a particular issue will need to be dealt with separately.