GRP

BUS6150 Graduate Research Paper Research Starter Ideas

While this is certainly not an all-inclusive list, it should help you to start your research on the main theorists, theories, themes, models, etc. of your chosen option.

Don’t wait until the Literature Review to dive into the research. It is important that you have a good feel for your selected topic in order to write a meaningful research question in Module 1.

Helpful Hints:

· You can certainly use Google searches to get some preliminary information; however, be sure to use the library to locate recent scholarly journal articles. Refer to the BUS6150 Citation Guide for more information on this.

· Journal articles are lengthy. Start with the abstract to determine if it is relevant for your situation. Scan the literature reviews for topic ideas and citations to articles that may be useful. Skip the research methodology section and jump to the discussion of the results from the research and review the recommendations for further research.

· When you locate a terrific scholarly article, you can get additional ideas for more articles by reviewing the reference list. This will streamline your library searches.

Option #1 – Change: Review of literature associated with change management and leadership theories

Change theorists and models:

· Kurt Lewin – Change Management Model.

· McKinsey & Company – The McKinsey 7-S Model.

· John Kotter – Kotter’s Change Management Theory

· Jeff Hiatt – ADKAR Change Management Model

· William Bridges – Bridges Transition Model

· Elisabeth Kubler-Ross – Kubler-Ross Change Management Framework

Leadership theories most often associated with change:

· Transformational Leadership

· Servant Leadership

· Situational Leadership

Option #2 – Corporate Culture: Review of literature associated with corporate culture and relevant organizational management theories

Top theorist on culture and “father” of the topic – Edgar Schein

Models

· Schein Model of Organizational Culture

· The Denison Model

· Johnson and Scholes Cultural Web

Types

· Adaptability, Achievement, Clan, Bureaucratic

· Empowered, Culture of Innovation, Sales Culture, Customer-Centric Culture, Culture of Leadership Excellence, Culture of Safety

· Handy’s – power, role task, and person

Dimensions

· Process-oriented versus results-oriented

· Job-oriented versus employee-oriented

· Professional versus parochial

· Open systems versus closed systems

Option #3 - Diversity: Review of literature associated with diversity, the changing workforce, and organizational strategies designed to benefit from diversity.

NOTE: The current landscape encourages looking at Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Elements of Diversity

· Cultural diversity

· Racial diversity

· Religious diversity

· Age diversity

· Sex / Gender diversity

· Sexual orientation diversity

· Disability

Current Issues with Diversity in the Workplace

· Acceptance and respect

· Accommodations

· Unconscious bias

· Ethnic and cultural differences

· Gender equality

· Generation gaps

· Language and communication

· Physical disabilities

· Mental disabilities

Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace

· Increased talent pool

· More employee engagement

· Improved performance

· Creativity and innovation

· Balanced decision-making

· Reduction in turnover