Management Research Paper

Essentials of Management Mgt 120 – Spring 2021 Professor George Lutzow

Individual Research Assignment - Business Trend Paper (10% of grade)

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Project Dates

1. Introduction and Discussion – Tues., Mar 23rd

2. Select Topic – Tues., Mar 30th by 11:59 PM - Submit subject and list of primary sources for research project (word document including your NAME & SECTION # in file name) through Canvas

3. Research Paper Due - Thurs., April 15th by 11:59 PM - Submit through Canvas

4. Lessons Learned Review / Discussion – Tues., April 20th – Class Discussion

Objective

This assignment is designed to sharpen your critical analysis skills when reviewing business publications. You are to select and critique a business trend or issue from the following categories:

· Organizational Culture

· Business Innovation

· Entrepreneurship

· Globalization

· Organizational Change

A good grade on this paper requires a number of elements.

· Identify a subject you find interesting.

· Select a minimum of two articles pertaining to the subject and prepare your paper. For example, select an article(s) Harvard Business Review; from the Wall Street Journal; Fortune; Business Week, or any reputable print or Internet source that pertains to business issues.

· Review our text, as a reference/source, to provide context.

· Use Bloom’s Taxonomy as a model. Expand beyond the basics of the article(s).

· Reflect on your observations, present your personal opinion, pose questions, identify problems, present arguments, and identify possible outcomes and/or future directions.

· Great papers integrate information, convey understanding and are well written in a concise, articulate, well-organized manner, free of mistakes.

· Note: This is a business paper. You are free to use headings, lists, etc., to convey your ideas.

Research Paper Format

· File Name - Use the following file naming format: Last Name-Section#-Subject (Example: Smith-OL2-Topic )

· Two – three pages (maximum), double spaced, 1 inch margins, word.doc

· Type face – 12 pt type; Cambria, Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman

· Grammar – proper grammar, no spelling errors, professional language, etc.

· At the top of the paper, identify your name, section #, and title/subject

· Include proper citations for articles and resources, etc. (See APA guidelines in Canvas) 

Basic Format – four core elements

a. Introduction - the basics

i. Subject you selected and what attracted you to the subject

ii. Basic facts about the articles

b. Overview - basic facts

i. What were the core messages?

ii. What were the most novel/interesting aspect and why?

iii. What does our text say about your subject?

iv. What was your biggest take-away (new thinking, confirmation of your beliefs and/or surprise, etc.) and why?

c. Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Creation

i. How do the authors’ thinking contrast to your understanding of the subject?

ii. How will this article affect future reflection, decisions and actions regarding this subject?

d. Summary

Grading (see Rubric)

1. Clarity – connection to assignment

2. Structure – organization, quality, expression of facts and depth of thinking

3. Supporting facts – appropriate use of information from the article(s)

4. Application and Analysis of interview facts – depth and quality of interpretation

5. Logic and argument – clear, logical, understandable

6. Mechanics – sentence and paragraph structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation