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COURSE PROJECT

Select a topic related to organizational behavior and interesting to you. Focus in on a significant point related to that topic. Review recent progress on this topic in the research found in scholarly articles on the topic. Summarize the current state of knowledge on the topic.

Interview at least one person in an organization that you are familiar with who has legitimate power related to the topic you have chosen. Please interview the individuals face-to-face if possible. An in-person interview is preferable, when possible, to give you a better sense of the organization and to provide you with a networking opportunity with a practitioner in an organizational setting. This is to be an interview where there is a dialogue and not an email or electronic exchange.

You should plan a one-hour interview with the interviewee. List your semi-structured interview questions in advance, and ask follow-up questions and probes as appropriate. You may submit your semi-structured interview questions to me two weeks prior to the interview so that I can give you feedback on them. You may gather basic information such as type of work and general industry prior to the interview from the organization’s website, but you will likely need to ask follow up questions for clarification during the interview.

Integrate course concepts, ideas, and/or theories in support of your paper’s position.

You must substantiate your findings by using a minimum of five scholarly resources other than your text.

Prepare a ten to 15 page paper, written in APA style, presenting your topic. References and appendices are not included in the page limit. The following is a possible overview of the main sections you may have in your paper that is presented as a possibility for you to follow:

1) Introduction: This section should be approximately one page, and should introduce your topic of interest and research question. Describe the context for the organization that you chose and any relevant background information. Describe your method for the interview, including with whom you spoke (position and role in the company), how you conducted the structured interview, and the focus of your questions.

2) Literature Review – This section should be approximately four pages, and should summarize the research findings in the literature on your topic. You should include a minimum of five peer-reviewed journal articles related to your topic.

3) The Findings – This section should be approximately three pages and should discuss the key findings from your interview.

4) Summary and/or Conclusion – This section should be approximately three to four pages. Does your interviewee and his/her organization follow the practices discussed in the textbook and the literature? What do they do well? Provide a strong closing argument for the paper that summarizes your findings and any recommendations and its implications for the organization.