Term Paper on "Management - Case Analysis the Central Problem"

Quoted Instructions for "Management - Case Analysis the Central Problem" Assignment:

The idea of the cases is to examine in a "real-world" like setting, what to do as a strategic manager when confronted with these situations. You should come to reasonable decision(s) based upon the information in the case. The main point of the exercise is to "practice" making decisions based upon limited information.

You are expected to study the cases and write a two-to-three page analysis along with following the written assignment procedures. Please stick with the Case Analysis Format listed below:

Case Analysis Format & Rubric

The purpose of the Case Analysis learning tool is to provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate the application of knowledge to a management scenario. Since most management problems are inherently multidimensional, the use of the Case Analysis tool is a 'hands-on' process that helps students experience organizational complexities within a thoughtful forum.

Therefore, the quality of your responses is more important than the quantity. Keep in mind the student learning model:

Absorb, Synthesize, Analyze, Apply, Conclude and Demonstrate.

Defining the central problem= 10 points

Provide a summary statement to demonstrate an understanding of the problem being presented. Summary statements are, typically 3-5 sentences.

Identify the relevant factor(s) and explain why they are important to the case= 10 points

It is not unusual for a case to have several relevant factors that are crucial to identifying a course of action. However, it is critical to the analysis that the relevant factors number no more than 3 and that it represents the student's choice and it is important to state 'Why' you think the factor(s) you have chosen are important.

Application of weekly readings= 20 points

The weekly readings, classroom discussions and other support material are intended to add to the student's personal body of knowledge as well as provide a framework for applying the material to the case scenario. Identify the relevant material from the chapter readings, classroom discussions and other material that you believe has the most direct application to clarifying the problem and/or providing some kind of resolution.

Conclusions= 10 points

Identify a course of action you would take to resolve the case problem and what do you think needs to happen once the action has been taken. Feel free to support your course of action through personal, vicarious and/or classroom experiences.

Key Terms:

Bureaucratic immunity, cohesiveness, Cross-functional term, cross training, de-forming, de-norming, de-storming, employee involvment team, forming, gainsharing, individualism-collectivism, interpersonal skills, norming, performing, project team, self-designing team, self-managing team, semi-autonomous work group, skill-based pay, social loafing, storming, structural accommodation, team diversity, team level, traditional work group, virtual team, work team,

Authority, autonomy, behavioral formality & informality, centralization of authority, chain of command, complex matrix, customer departmentalization, decentralization, delegation of authority, departmentalization, empowering workers, empowerment, feedback, organic organization, organizational process & Structure, pooled interdependence, private spaces, skill variety.

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