Case Study: Can Nice Guys Finish First? (By Jeffrey Pfeffer)

Executive Summary: • Identify the key problems and issues in the case study

• Formulate and include a thesis statement, summarizing the outcome of your analysis in 1-2 sentences.

• Summarize the recommended plan of action and include a brief justification of the recommended plan

• One to two paragraphs in length

Statement of the problem: • State the problems facing the manager/key person

• Identify and link the symptoms and root causes of the problems

• Differentiate short-term from long-term problems

• Conclude with the decision facing the manager/key person

• This section should be between ½ to¾ page in length

Cause of the problem: • Provide a detailed analysis of the problems identified in the Statement of the Problem

• In the analysis, apply theories and models from the text and/or readings

• Support conclusions and/or assumptions with specific references to the case and/or the readings

• This section should be between ½ to ¾page in length

Decison criteria and alternative solutions: • Identify criteria against which you evaluate alternative solutions (i.e. time for implementation, tangible costs, acceptability to management)

• Outline possible alternatives (not necessarily all of them)

• Evaluate the pros and cons of each alternative against the criteria listed

• Explain why alternatives were rejected

• Suggest additional pros/cons, if appropriate

• This section should be between ½ to ¾page in length.