case of Five Stars in the section called “Apply Your Skills: Case for Critical Analysis” on page 655 of the Daft textbook

Name of Case

Student Name

GM501-xx (xx = section #)

Management Theories and Practice II

Date

Professor

Name of Professor

Introduction (Summary of the Case)

This section should be a brief analysis of the situation and pending decision problem, as presented in the case, and as relevant to your answer to the case question. This should be brief (1–2 well-formed paragraphs, at most) and you should assume the person reading the assignment is familiar with the details of the case.

Analysis

Major Issue (What and Why and How)

The Major Issue section of the Case Study should include a sentence stating the problem (WHAT) with the contributing major issues (WHY) and how they are related (HOW).

WHAT is the issue? Identify the major issue surrounding the organization or individuals involved with the organization. State the WHAT simply and clearly. The WHAT can be general, “The organization has an issue communication.”

The WHY should explain the WHAT, the reasons/causes of the ONE organizational problem you will address. Drill deeper to highlight what exactly is involved in the WHY. For a WHAT related to organizational communication, the WHY could be impact of technology on communication, role of gender, importance of feedback, the role of noise, communication networks and more. Demonstrate your subject mastery by being specific. This section demonstrates your ability to accurately hone in on the true issues. Use the assigned Reading to determine WHY the organization has this issue. Remember, it is always a good idea to have three references to your written assignments.

After identifying WHY, address HOW those contributing factors are related. For example, the organizational communication issue caused by impact of technology on communication, role of gender, importance of feedback, the role of noise, communication networks and more can be better understood with a review of HOW those factors are related. For example, the initial factor of leaner virtual communication results in less feedback and less awareness of gender communication differences.

Recommendations

Alternate Courses of Action

Next, identify possible alternate courses of action to address the issues identified. Do not suggest just one course of action that you utilize for your recommendations. Suggest two or three logical possible solutions.

Best Course of Action and Why

Recommend one course of action. Explain why this is the preferred solution with the appropriate supporting arguments (and references). This section demonstrates your ability to think critically about the issues at hand as you evaluate and assess each option. This section also demonstrates your ability to apply what you are learning to a real-life situation. This requires that you use additional citations and references (outside sources) to help bring credibility to your recommendations.

Implementation and How

How should the organization implement this solution?

Conclusion

Typically in a case study conclusion you should succinctly summarize the key points of the case and reiterate your recommendations in such a manner as to elicit a call to action. However, in the GM501 Case Studies there is an emphasis on personal/professional application. In the GM501 Case Studies you summarize your lessons learned related to the unit and how you will implement them next week.

References

Please be sure your references are in APA format. Every case analysis should include citations and references to the case being discussed. Additional citations and references will strengthen your analysis and recommendations and are often required – please review assignment parameters to verify if required or recommended to have additional resources and whether or not the requirement includes peer reviewed (scholarly) articles.