BUS 681 Week 1 to 6 Assignemnt

BUS 681 Week 1 Assignment, Journal Article Research and Analysis

Using a variety of research techniques, write a 3-5 page essay that summarizes the impact and affect of compensation within an organization.   This essay should be based on research obtained through a minimum of three journal articles.

BUS 681 Week 2 Assignment, Performance Management Issues

You have been asked to return to your alma mater and speak to current students about performance management issues.  To make the most of this experience for yourself and the students, write a 3-5 page paper that details the following: the concept of “performance management”; the most prominent types of performance management plans; its impact on the employee and the organization; the relationship between performance management and compensation; and factors that should be considered when successfully implementing performance management within an organization.

BUS 681 Week 3 Assignment, Market Competitiveness

Compose a 3-5 page paper that assesses the concept of market competitiveness in relation to an organization’s pay system, particularly when it is unable to offer its employees market competitive salaries because of a lack of financial resources. Propose alternative approaches for organizations which have limited financial resources and outline at least three specific steps that could be taken to minimize the impact this could have on the firm’s success.

BUS 681 Week 4 Assignment, Social Security Programs                      

Conduct research on the current state of Social Security.  Based on your research, write a 3-5 page paper that address the following: the concept of Social Security as originally envisioned by President Roosevelt; the viability of Social Security within the next 20-30 years; and 2-3 recommendations that would improve the viability of Social Security for the next generation.  Detail how best these recommendations can be implemented within the highly political environment that exists with this issue (including factors such as the implementation itself, communication, education, support, etc).   

BUS 681 Week 5 Assignment, Compensation Philosophy

In a 3-5 page paper, outline the current compensation philosophy for your organization.  Evaluate this current philosophy and propose ways to enhance or revamp the current compensation philosophy to meet the changing needs of the organization and its employees. Identify key factors within the internal and external environment including the mission and strategic focus of the organization, as well as the financial and cultural aspects of your organization (i.e., you cannot have a compensation philosophy where you “lead” the market if your organization does not have the financial resources) that should influence this philosophy.  The proposed philosophy itself should be no more than a short paragraph.  The remaining portion of your paper should be devoted to supporting your choice of that philosophy within your chosen organization by identifying the key factors that should contribute to its development.

BUS 681 Week 6 Final Projec
With instructor approval, students will select an organization that either has or is experiencing challenges with its compensation and benefit system.  The student will provided a brief historical view of the organization, an assessment of their current challenge, a review of other organizations who had a similar situation and the strategy they devised to address the issue, theories and strategies that should be contemplated to address the situation and, finally, a recommendation to management on how to address/resolve the situation.  Importantly, the student should ensure any recommendations are based on solid research and analysis and reflect a comprehensive solution to the problem.

The research paper should integrate items discussed in class, textbook material, and additional information gathered from secondary or primary sources.  A minimum of eight credible sources (other than the course textbook) should be used to develop your final project paper.  Research topics must be reviewed in advance with the instructor.
Writing the Compensation and Benefits Paper
These papers are to reflect the current "state of the art" in the area and should reflect both academic and professional (practical) orientations. The paper should be organized into the following areas:

1. Introduction: The area of research should be described and the purpose of the research. That is, describe the topic area in terms of (1) its relationship the topic and (2) what you want to be able to contribute to the training literature by writing this paper. Your introduction must include a succinct thesis statement.
2. Review of the literature: Organize the literature into logical streams of thought related to your topic area. Within each of these areas summarize what the literature has to say. Be sure to indicate in your discussion whether the information is based on empirical data or analysis of the author.
3. Implications of the literature: Again, organize the implications of the literature in a manner that logically builds the case for your conclusions (which you will present in the next section). For each of your implications be sure to reference the literature related to that implication. Be sure to indicate whether the implication is one that has already been made in the literature or if this is one that is original to you through your own analysis. You should identify in this section important areas related to your topic that are missing from the literature. As appropriate within a business report, it is important to use section headings to organize your key points. 
4. Conclusions: This is where you tie all the pieces together. Make sure your conclusions are organized in a logical order that synthesizes your major points relative to the purpose of your paper. Be sure that your conclusions are justified and have credible support.  Inspire your audience to think about the practical application of your topic.  Remember, this is the last thing you are leaving with your reader so make the context of your message clear, communicate the impact of your topic, and leave a lasting impression