Question:

A case study is a short description of a real life situation. Analyzing business case studies gives you the opportunity to apply those concepts to real business problems. Cases are generally written for several types of analysis. Usually, there is no "right" or "wrong" answer. Rather, cases provide a vehicle for you to demonstrate your understanding and your ability to apply course concepts. You must use appropriate sources (properly cited) to support your work.

Check your analysis by assessing how well it demonstrates your management knowledge. If your answer relies on your impressions of management prior to taking this course, it is likely that the analysis is not your best effort. For more information on how to analyze a case, please read the General Instructions for Case Studies. [PDF File Size 34.0 KB]

For the M6A1 case study paper, you will read the attached case study "M6A1 Case Study Storm or Change" [PDF File Size 28.9 KB ] and prepare a paper based on the questions following it.

Simply answering the questions which are part of the case is not enough. Consider the questions to be clues to the important concepts and facts. You are strongly encouraged to use the following outline so that your analysis is organized appropriately:

Identify both the key issues and the underlying issues: In identifying the issues, you should be able to connect them to the principles which apply to this situation.

Discuss the facts which affect these issues: The case may have too much information. In your discussion, you should filter the information and discuss those facts which are pertinent to the issues identified.

Discuss your tentative solution to the problem and how you would implement your solution: Based on the knowledge you have gained in this course, what actions would you propose to correct the situation? Be sure to support your recommendation by citing references in the text and in the supplementary readings. You should also draw on other references such as business periodicals and journals. Remember that an ANALYSIS is more than simply a SUMMARY of the case study.

Discuss follow-up and contingency plans: How will the organization know that your proposed solution is working? What should they do if it does not work?

It may be helpful for you to "role-play" this assignment: Consider yourself to be the Manager charged with developing a presentation for the CEO. Your presentation should cover the points listed above. Develop an action-oriented analysis with a recommended course of action.

Your work should be submitted in a Word document, a minimum of 4 pages in length, typed in double-space, in 10- or 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font. The page margins on the top, bottom, left side, and right side should be 1 inch each. You should use the APA guidelines for writing and citations.

APA style, sited and referenced.

This assignment paper will include a minimum of 1,000 words (3 or more pages) in APA format. Use two outside references-both should be from authored sources and one should be from a peer-reviewed source like the Harvard Business Review or the Journal of Organizational Behavior. Per the announcement in our classroom:

For your papers this semester should adhere to APA compliance...and that includes the following:
. Times New Roman 12 Font
. Double-Spacing with zero-point line spacing (10-point line spacing not allowed).
. One Inch Margins
. Cover Page and Reference Page
. And more...using the 6th Edition as our guide.
In addition, I expect the following in your writing style this semester:
. Use subject headers for all papers - your reader appreciates and expects that level or organization to your work! You will lose points if you do not do so! Always include Introduction & Conclusion subject headers.
. No visuals in the paper - put in Appendix if absolutely needed. Do not put tables in UNLESS you developed the table yourself.
. Use Zero Point / Double-spacing for your papers.
. No contractions
. Use the templates as provided
. No PDF files accepted
. Each new paragraph - the first line of that new paragraph should be indented five spaces - please adopt this practice this semester - a pet peeve of mine is to see papers that do not meet this criteria.
. No extra blank lines between paragraphs - deliver a ''''tight'''' paper! It is critical that all students are graded based on the same writing approach.
. If you use an online source, include in the reference page the exact web link as sources are verified.
. Avoid using bullet points and numbered lists- write formally, in full paragraphs and full sentences only.
. No abbreviations - if you are referring to the United States of America, write it out...no ''''US'''' - this is not good academic writing.
. Always include a cover page and reference page - you all do this, just a friendly reminder!
. Authored articles must be used to meet your requirement. And one peer-reviewed source from the Journal of Organizational Behavior.