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MGMT 303: Principles of Management Phase III: Team Research Paper & Analysis

Methodology and Data Collection:

Based on your organizational profile each team will then interview a manager that is currently working in the business organization selected. Your team will conduct an interview with this manager to better understand his or her job and the organization. You may not interview someone in the immediate family of a team member; someone you have interviewed for a previous course OR a manager on GMU campus. You can choose to record the interview but must have the individual’s consent to do so. You can also obtain your data from:

1. Literature review (e.g. Bios of founders, news articles on the company) 2. Employee interviews 3. "Promotional" materials assessment (including web sites) 4. Industry analysis

Managerial Analysis: An in-depth managerial analysis of a selected manager from designated organization, e.g., a corporation, company, firm or association (ideally, an organization which you have some interest in joining as an employee someday). The team will gather information about one current issue or problem the manager is facing and write a paper that provides an in-depth analysis of this issue or problem using principles learned in this class, concluding with a recommendation to the manager. This assignment challenges you to connect the real-life experiences of a business manager to the theoretical principles of management and to draw your own conclusions about how to approach problems that managers face in the business world today. Given the challenge or problem the manager is facing how might the four functions of management impact how they handle it in the organization. You will analyze this phase of the paper from the individual level of analysis. Here are the primary issues that should be addressed in the paper.

1. What is the current issue or challenge the manager is facing? 2. How might the manager utilize the four functions to solve this issue?

a. Planning: What planning methodologies could be used to address the challenge? Are there any stakeholders that affect the issue at hand?

b. Organizing: Does the organizational structure assist with solving the problem? How does the organization manage change?

c. Leading: What specific managerial skills could assist with solving this challenge? How did the manager acquire their managerial skills?

d. Controlling: What organizational controls have been implemented to assist the manager with decisions? Could more controls be added to assist the problem?

3. Recommendations a. What management theories could assist this manager to develop a solution? b. What changes should the manager make to overcome the issues? c. Are there any skills lacking in the organization or manager that could help with this

challenge?

Length: Approximately 8-10 pages with well documented references and bibliography in APA format. This should not be written like a transcript but a research paper. The transcript does not need to be included in the paper. You MUST have at least 5 academic references for this paper.

MGMT 303: Grading Rubric for Final Paper Criteria Level 1

Unacceptable

Level 2

Developing

Level 3

Competent

Level 4

Exemplary

1.Sufficiency of introductory content about manager and organization (10 pts)

Introduction is not included

Introduction is incomplete; key data is missing

Introduction includes most of the relevant information

Introduction includes all the relevant information

2. Properly utilizes Methodology (15 pts)

No discussion was presented or content does not demonstrate understanding of the subject matter

Shows effort in articulating the topic and methodology; however, discussion is incomplete and/or lacks key elements

Clearly defines and addresses the methodology used to understand behaviors, and actions of the manager.

Utilizes proper techniques to critically analyze the effectiveness of the manager

3. Analysis of Manager and organization (20 pts)

No discussion was presented or content does not demonstrate understanding of the subject matter

Shows effort in articulating the topic; however, discussion is incomplete and/or lacks key elements

Applies with confidence the principles, tools and techniques for management

Discussion demonstrates mastery of the tools and techniques learned in the course

4.Theoretical constructs & models (20 pts)

No discussion was presented or content does not demonstrate understanding of the subject matter

Shows effort in articulating the topic; however, discussion is incomplete and/or lacks key elements

Handles in an adequate manner the analysis of the case with known theoretical concepts

Demonstrates mastery of the theories and concepts; uses analytical skill to explore new paradigms or propositions of management

6.Evaluation of the manager & Recommendations (20 pts)

No discussion was presented or content does not demonstrate understanding of the subject matter

Shows effort in articulating the topic; however, discussion is incomplete and/or lacks key elements

Presents a comprehensive evaluation supported with critical analysis

Presents a comprehensive evaluation supported with critical analysis; including what could have been done differently or could be done in the future by the manager and the organization.

7.Clarity and Coherency (5pts)

No discussion was presented or explanations are unclear and not organized logically (Major issues)

Explanations generally are unclear and not well organized (Many issues)

Explanations generally are clear and organized

(Minor issues)

Explanations are very clear and well organized. (Added helpful details and/or visuals)

8.Writing – representative of undergraduate level, grammar, sentence structure, paragraph structure, spelling, punctuation, APA style and format (10pts)

No paper was submitted or demonstrates writing below the college level; paper has numerous (15 or more) writing/APA errors

Demonstrates less than proficient academic writing; paper has 10-14 writing/APA errors

Demonstrates proficient academic writing; paper conforms to APA style; paper has 5-9 different writing/APA errors

Demonstrates scholarly academic writing and conforms to APA style; paper has less than 5 different writing/APA errors