Final Paper Project: Problem Solving

Final Paper Project: 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 assignment 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 assignment:

1. One goal of this assignment is obviously to take the initiative to make a positive contribution to an organization. 

2. 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 assignments detailed below.

a) What are the issues or problems facing the organization (identify 2 problems)?

b) What course concepts can be applied to understand why this problem is occurring?

c) What recommendations can you offer to help improve organizational functioning (Develop 2 recommendations for each problem; a total of 4 recommendations)?

The Report  

a) Company or organization's background (including Mission/Vision Statement) 

b) What are the issues or problems facing the organization (2)?

c) What course concepts can be applied to understand why this problem is occurring?

d) What recommendations, based on these course concepts, can you offer to help improve organizational functioning and address the problem you identified (4)?

**Note: Paper must be formatted in APA Style, and should include the following: 

· Cover Page. 

· Abstract will provide a brief summary of the overall written paper ranging from 150 to 250 words. 

· In-text citations.

· Reference Page listing at least two references (1 reference must be our textbook). 

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?