10-12 Page- Human Behavior and Organization
taurus77
ol_500_final_project_guidelines_1.docx
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a research paper. You will be examining organizational behavior and how it affects corporate strategy and decision making. This project will enable you to identify alternatives and recommend thoroughly defended strategies that leaders can use for best practices.
You will select an organizational behavior (OB) topic to research and write about. The topic must be approved by the instructor. This final product represents an authentic demonstration of the competencies achieved in this course as you put into action all that you have learned. The project is divided into three milestones and a final product, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions.
Critical Elements
Expectation of Analysis: Please see the Final Product Rubric below for grading criteria. Pay close attention to each critical element and how you will address it in your final paper.
1. Define the central OB issue or problem.
a. Substantiate multiple aspects of the problem or issue in detail.
i. Include factors like:
a. Key players and their role in the OB issue or problem (internal and/or external)
b. Key stakeholder groups (i.e., employees, customers, communities) and their role in the OB issue or problem (internal and/or external)
c. Values and behaviors (internal)
d. Culture and structure (internal)
e. Design processes (internal)
f. Reward systems (internal)
g. Economic and policy instruments used by the government (external)
2. Recommend at least three solutions for the issue or problem.
a. Explain each solution and its relevance to the context of the OB issue.
b. Defend the selection of each solution by:
i. Interpreting and applying course concepts and theories to your defense when they are applicable
ii. Citing specific examples/scenarios showing the application of your solutions
iii. Recommending strategies for success that are supported by valid and reliable scholarly resources
3. Determine an implementation strategy for each proposed solution. Be sure to include deliberate implementation strategies around OB and best practices that take into consideration the dynamics of the groups involved.
4. Conclusion
a. Write a summary focusing on key elements of your final product.
b. Tie the key elements of your proposals and implementation strategies to the issue, highlighting the positive effects the proposal will have on the performance of the organization.
The final project has three milestones. The purpose of milestones is to keep you on target and allow time for incorporating instructor feedback. Milestone 3 is a “dress rehearsal” for the final product; the same rubric is used to access Milestone 3 and your final product.
· Milestone 1: Proposal of an OB topic to research and write about: This must be approved by the instructor (Module Three: 1–2 pages)
· Milestone 2: Detailed outline of research paper (Module Six: 1–2 pages)
· Milestone 3: Rough draft “dress rehearsal” of research paper (Module Nine: 10–12 pages, not including title and reference pages)
· Final Paper: Final research paper (Module Ten: 10–12 pages, not including title and reference pages)
Milestone 1: Proposal of an OB topic
You will select an OB topic from a business example to research and write about. Some topics to choose from include the following:
· Bhopal Disaster
· BP Gulf Oil Spill
· Burma Pipeline
· Closing of Blockbuster Stores
· Costa Concordia Cruise Accident
· Enron Scandal
· Hurricane Katrina and the Levee System
· Malden Mills
· Penn State University Scandal
· Wal-Mart’s Business Practices
If a different topic is chosen, it must be approved by the instructor.
This 1–2-page proposal must:
1. Identify the topic you have selected and describe how it relates to OB
2. Provide three to four research questions that you will attempt to answer in your final paper
3. State your rationale and reason for selecting this topic
4. Conclusion: Explain what you hope to gain/understand as you research this topic
Milestone 2: Outline of Final Paper
You will create a robust and comprehensive outline of your research paper. The outline should include:
· Title of paper
· Abstract
· Introduction
· Major points/arguments
· At least three solutions
· List scholarly resources to support your major points/arguments and solutions. At least six scholarly references are required.
Milestone 3: Draft of Research Paper: “Practice Opportunity” or “Dress Rehearsal”
You will create a draft of your research paper. This is a practice opportunity to see how your final paper is coming along. Grading is low-stakes and will give you a good picture of which areas in your paper are in need of improvement and which areas are okay. Review your outline in order to address each section, and be sure to include a conclusion that ties the paper together. The paper must be in APA format and include at least six scholarly resources. The page length requirement is 10 to 12 pages (not including title and reference pages).
Final Paper
You will complete the final version of your research paper. Be sure to use the feedback from the instructor on your draft and incorporate all of the milestones into a collated final product.
Format
All milestones should be completed as Word documents. The final version of your paper should be 10–12 pages (not including title page, references or appendices), double-spaced, use 12-point Times New Roman font, have 1-inch margins, and include citations in APA format.
Deliverable Milestones
|
Milestone |
Deliverables |
Due in Module |
Grading Metric |
|
1 |
Final Project Milestone 1: Proposal Submit the topic you have chosen to research and write about. |
Three |
Milestone 1 Rubric |
|
2 |
Final Project Milestone 2: Outline of Final Paper Submit a detailed outline of your final paper, including scholarly resources to be used. |
Six |
Milestone 2 Rubric |
|
3 |
Submit Milestone 3 Research Paper Draft Submit a draft of your final paper. |
Nine |
Final Product Rubric |
|
|
Final Research Paper Submit the final version of all portions of your final paper within a single document. |
Ten |
Final Product Rubric |
Rubrics
Requirements of submission : Written components of projects must follow these formatting guidelines when applicable: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations.
Instructor feedback : Students can find their feedback in Turnitin.
Milestone 1: Proposal
|
Critical Elements |
Distinguished |
Proficient |
Emerging |
Not Evident |
Value |
|
Milestone Submission: Topic Selection
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and incorporates significant background offering insight and development into the issue or problem (23-25) |
Identifies topic selection and explains how it relates to OB with some background into the issue or problem
(20-22) |
Identifies topic selection and explains how it relates to OB with missing background into the issue or problem
(18-19) |
Does not identify topic and/or OB issue or problem or is missing key background information
(0-17) |
25 |
|
Research Questions |
Meets “Proficient” criteria and answers to research questions are not easily obtained from other sources (23-25) |
Asks multiple research questions appropriate to OB topic selection
(20-22) |
Asks very few research questions that may affect development and progression of paper (18-19) |
Does not ask any research questions
(0-17) |
25 |
|
Rationale and Reasoning |
Meets “Proficient” criteria and incorporates a well-reasoned rationale for topic selection (18-20) |
Rationale and reason for topic selection are clearly stated
(16-17) |
Rationale and reason for topic selection are not clearly stated
(14-15) |
Rationale and reason for topic selection are not stated
(0-13) |
20 |
|
Conclusion |
Meets “Proficient” criteria and incorporates a significant summary offering insight into the desired outcome for conducting research on chosen topic (18-20) |
Summary describes desired outcome for conducting research on chosen topic
(16-17) |
Summary describing desired outcome for conducting research on chosen topic is not clearly communicated
(14-15) |
Summary describing desired outcome for conducting research on chosen topic is missing
(0-13) |
20 |
|
Articulation of Response |
Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format (9-10) |
Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization
(8) |
Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas (7) |
Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas
(0-6) |
10 |
|
Earned Total Comments: |
100% |
Milestone 2: Outline of Final Paper
|
Critical Elements |
Distinguished |
Proficient |
Emerging |
Not Evident |
Value |
|
Milestone Submission: Outline of Final Paper
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and outline is robust and comprehensive
(9-10) |
Outline includes all of the elements set forth in the assignment instructions
(8) |
Creates a fair outline. Outline includes some of the elements set forth in the assignment instructions (7) |
Does not create an outline or outline does not include the elements set forth in the assignment instructions (0-6) |
10 |
|
Abstract and Introduction
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and abstract includes research questions along with a clearly stated purpose of the paper
(14-15) |
Abstract and introduction are easily identifiable and are both clearly stated; however, abstract does not include research questions (12-13) |
Abstract and introduction are not clearly communicated and abstract does not include research questions
(11) |
Does not include abstract and/or introduction
(0-10) |
15 |
|
Major Points/Arguments |
Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates comprehensive exploration of issues and ideas relating to the OB issue or problem (23-25) |
Major points/arguments are clearly stated and relate to the OB issue or problem
(20-22) |
Very few major points/arguments are stated that relate to the OB issue or problem
(18-19) |
Does not include major points/arguments and/or major points/arguments do not relate to the OB issue or problem
(0-17) |
25 |
|
Solutions |
Meets “Proficient” criteria and explores multiple issues through extensive collection and in-depth analysis of evidence before recommending solutions (23-25) |
Proposes at least three solutions to the OB issue. Explores some issues through collection and in-depth analysis of evidence before recommending solutions (20-22) |
Proposes very few solutions. Explores minimal issues through collection and analysis of evidence before recommending solutions
(18-19) |
Does not explore issues through collection and analysis of evidence and does not propose solutions
(0-17) |
25 |
|
Research |
Meets “Proficient” criteria and incorporates at least six scholarly resources effectively that reflect depth and breadth of research (14-15) |
Incorporates some scholarly resources effectively that reflect depth and breadth of research
(12-13) |
Incorporates very few scholarly resources that reflect depth and breadth of research
(11) |
Does not incorporate scholarly resources that reflect depth and breadth of research
(0-10) |
15 |
|
Articulation of Response |
Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format (9-10) |
Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization
(8) |
Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas (7) |
Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas
(0-6) |
10 |
|
Earned Total Comments: |
100% |
Milestone 3: Draft of Research Paper and Final Product Rubric
|
Critical Elements |
Distinguished |
Proficient |
Emerging |
Not Evident |
Value |
|
Communication: OB Issue or Problem
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and incorporates significant background offering insight and development into the issue or problem
(9-10) |
Identifies appropriate OB issue or problem stated with substantial background for development, like economic and policy instruments, values and behavior, design processes, and reward systems (8) |
Identifies OB issue or problem stated with missing background that may affect development, like economic and policy instruments, values and behavior, design processes, and reward systems (7) |
Does not identify OB issue or problem or is missing key background information
(0-6) |
10 |
|
Solutions: Concepts/Theories
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and provides insightful, detailed interpretations
(18-20) |
Applies course concepts accurately, interpreting theories and concepts appropriately (16-17) |
Applies course concepts, interpreting some theories and concepts inaccurately
(14-15) |
Does not incorporate concepts and theories
(0-13) |
20 |
|
Solutions: Examples/ Explanations
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and provides comprehensive descriptions (14-15) |
Proposes specific examples with detailed descriptions of each solution (12-13) |
Proposes examples with little or no descriptions of each solution (11) |
Does not propose any examples/solutions
(0-10) |
15 |
|
Solutions: Strategies
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and addresses counterarguments supported by research
(18-20) |
Recommends strategies for success that are supported by valid and reliable scholarly resources (16-17) |
Recommends very few strategies for success; not supported by valid and reliable scholarly sources (14-15) |
Does not recommend any strategies
(0-13) |
20 |
|
Solutions: Implementation
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and provides examples of successful implementation(s)
(18-20) |
Chooses deliberate implementation strategies around OB and best practices that take into consideration group dynamics (16-17) |
Chooses implementation strategies that do not encourage best practices in OB
(11) |
Does not choose appropriate implementation strategies
(0-10) |
15 |
|
Conclusion: Performance Impact
|
Meets “Proficient” criteria and adds insight on how successful OB strategies impact the performance of an organization
(9-10) |
Writes a comprehensive summary focusing on key elements of final product that ties the key elements of the proposals and implementation strategies to the issue (8) |
Writes summary focusing on key elements of final product, but does not tie the key elements of the proposals and implementation strategies to the issue (7) |
Does not write a summary
(0-6) |
10 |
|
Articulation of Response |
Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format (9-10) |
Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization
(8) |
Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas (7) |
Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas
(0-6) |
10 |
|
Earned Total Comments: |
100% |
