MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES o conduct an analysis of an organization which you are interested in to determine how well management is meeting challenges to sustainability of the company at the current time. This will include both research about the company itself and relevant peer reviewed journal articles which help you underst and the issues faced by the company and best practices in human resources available to help the company towards long term sustainability. You will then summarize your research findings and observations, as well as recommendations in a Report that is 8 – 1 0 pages in length (approximately 3 00 words per page) , not counting cover page, works cited or bibliography . This assignment will comprise 30% of your total mark for this course. General Approach to Assignment and Expected Content: Reflect on an organi zation that you know or research one that you wish to know more about . You may wish to choose one that appears to be in a highly successful growth stage with no apparent problems looming, or one that is currently undergoing a major crisis that challenges its future and sustainability. For inspiration, look to news reports in prominent newspapers, business periodicals or the many examples provided in our textbook. You may also wish to analyze a company that is known to you personally – such as a company o wned and operated by your family. You are then expected to a nalyze and describe the current state of sustainability of the organization including such factors as its current s tate of economic performance and expectations for the future , the company’s tech nological resources, and how well it is meeting global challenges. Then determine whatever you can find out about its current human resources practices and analyze what the company is doing right to support sustainability, and what it may be doing wrong, or what it may be overlooking that could ensure greater sustainability of the organization. Conduct research on the issues that you find, either to support your views or to help determine what the company is doing wrong or could be doing to better support sustainability with emphasis on management of human resources in the organization. Then compare the characteristics of the organization you are discussing with your research sources, integrating and citing theory and references from the various peer revie wed journal article s you have found, and/or human resources theory from our textbook. Comparative areas for discussion and analysis could include the organization’s current characteristics, stage of development and/or developmental transitions , or probl ems that it is having that arise from human resource issues. There are many areas you can choose to include. For example, the company may be having serious problems with recruitment, or be bogged down with problems of labour relations, innovation, ineffec tive corporate governance, or lack of HR leadership. Alternatively, the company could be doing very well, and poised for impressive grow th. In either case, identify and describe the company’s situation , present your research findings, and conclude with H R related recommendations designed to ensure a sustainable future. I f you were a n HR consultant advising this company, how would you describe its current state , and what human resources practices would you r ecommend be adopted, dispensed with, or sustaine d for the company to ensure organizational sustainability and satisfaction for all stakeholders that have an interest in the (e.g. employees, stockholders, the community, the environment.) Ethical Considerations Interviews are not necessary for this assignment. However, if you decide to conduct in terviews , ensure that you do no harm through your enquiries , either to the organization or to the employees of the organization. Respect confidentiality issues and conduct interviews only after first gaini ng permission from the owner or senior management. When asking permission to interview, advise the owner truthfully about the purpose of your research. If an organization provides cooperation for your research, you are obliged to write your findings in a respectful way using a solution - finding approach and tone . If you require any clarification about ethical considerations, be sure to speak to me before proceeding. Abstract: An abstract briefly describing the topic you have chosen for the assignment is required and should be submitted through the Assignments Dropbox on our SAKAI course website by midnight November 7 , 201 4 . The one - page abstract shall consist of no more than two short paragraphs identifying: (1) the organization you have chosen to re search and analyze; (2) which of the three key competitive challenges it faces (sustainability, global and/or technological); (3) why you chose to analyze this particular company, and; (4) a t least 3 highly credible research sources located during your p reliminary literature review. ( List these initial resources in bibliographic format. ) Include at least one peer reviewed journal article or other primary source in your total list of research sources. These can be about the company you are researching or about best practices in human resources or sustainability or another salient topic linked to your research paper. Required Format For Term Assignment: Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, referencing are required in both your Abstract and your Or ganizational Sustainability Research Report. Yo ur Report should be 8 – 10 pages in length, double spaced, using Times New Roman 12 Font . Use APA standards for citations and references where they appear. Your Report must contain a bibliography (or works cited ) page. Your Report should include a front c over sheet with the title of your Report, your name and student ID number, course number and the date of submission. Do not enclose your assignment in a folder of any kin d. Submission Process, Deadlines and Late Penalties: Submission Process : Submit your Abstract and Organizational Sustainability Research Report as indicated and on the due dates noted below. Due Dates: Abstract: Submit to the Assignments Dropbox of the SAKAI course website b y midn ight : November 7, 2014. Organizational Sustainability Research Report: Submit in hardcopy to Distance Studies Office by 4 p.m. November 2 8 , 201 4 , and sub mit digital version to Turnitin.com (using the Assignments Dropbox section of the SAKAI course webs ite) by midnight of the same day. Late Penalties : Abstract: Failure to submit the required Abstract on time will result in a penalty of 5 % off your final grade for the term assignment. Failure to submit a late abstract well in advance of the due date of the assignment may result in a decision by your instructor not to accept the actual assignment. Report: Penalty for late submission of your Organizational Sustainability Research Report is 5% for first day and 2% for each day thereafter including we ekends. Originality Note that this assignment is subject to all the same terms and conditions stated in University Policy on Cheating and A cademic M isconduct contained in the General Information section of the Course Outline. If you paraphrase research information in your own words, or quote information verbatim from any research source, you are expected to cite such references accurately, using consistent and standard ized methods of referencing throughout your report. You are also expected to know the difference between quoted or paraphrased information in your report, and how to cite each accurately. Stating “I didn’t know” will not be accepted as an excuse for failing to cite source information appropriately. Be very clear about where information cam e from and credit all sources where appropriate. In addition, submitting a paper previously written by you (or portions thereof) and for which credit has been given or is being sought in the University or elsewhere is unacceptable for credit in this cours e, and is regarded as a form of plagiarism. Note that a short instructional Academic Integrity video is posted on the course SAKAI/OWL website. See the Unive r sity Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct in General Information section of the Course Outline for more detail, as well as the Scholastic Offence Policy in the Western Academic Calendar. If you have any questions or doubts about originality as you complete your term assignment, speak to me personally. I can be reached most easily for clarification or an appointment by e - mail at leligh@uwo.ca . There are also numerous resources available on the Western library website and at the Western bookstore. If you need help with this assignment: If you wish to discuss resources or topics please make an appointment to see me. I will be happy to help you find som ething interesting to write about and to guide you in your assignment. See the Course Outline for contact information and office hours. As noted above, I am best reached by e - mail when making an appointment, and try to reply to such messages promptly. PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET AN AMAZING DISCOUNT :)