Assessment 1 - Individual Research Assignment (35%) Purpose

Assessment 1 - Individual Research Assignment - (35%) Purpose

This is an individual research paper focused on applying theoretical Organizational Behavior (OB) concepts to real-life business issues affecting employees or the organization. You will select a business to analyze, conduct interviews, support your analysis with research, and propose recommendations with an implementation plan. The report should not exceed five pages, follow APA style, and include evidence of interview contact.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this research assignment is to explore how organizational behavior (OB) concepts manifest within a real business setting and address operational or personnel issues through an academically supported analysis. This focused exploration allows students to bridge theoretical frameworks with practical organizational challenges, fostering a deeper understanding of OB principles in action.

To complete this assignment, students must select an organization—ranging from a retail store to a corporate entity—and identify a specific OB concept from a given list. Examples include communication channels, conflict handling styles, organizational culture, or leadership models. The student is required to conduct secondary research using credible sources such as scholarly articles, newspapers, or industry journals, in addition to internet resources. Furthermore, primary research involves interviewing an employee, manager, or owner within the organization. This interview is essential for gaining firsthand insight into how the chosen OB concept influences organizational functioning and personnel behavior.

The initial step emphasizes understanding and selecting relevant OB concepts, supported by at least two scholarly articles that discuss the concept’s application or challenges. Identification of organizational issues related to the chosen concept forms the core of the analysis. During the interview process, students must prepare questions that probe not only organizational issues but also potential personal biases affecting perceptions or decision-making, encouraging reflection on subjective influences within organizations.

The report must begin with an executive summary providing an overview of the OB concept, organizational issues, the nature of the organization, findings from the interview, and recommendations with an implementation plan. Detailed analysis must include a discussion of the concept, identified problems, insights from the interview, and reflections on personal biases, supported by research evidence.

Recommendations should be realistic, actionable, and tailored to the organization’s context, detailing both short-term and long-term strategies. The implementation plan must specify responsibilities, timelines, locations, and specific actions, demonstrating a clear pathway for organizational change or problem resolution.

All components—including interview questions and references—must be included as appendices, properly formatted according to APA guidelines. Throughout, the paper should demonstrate effective academic writing, clear organization, and adherence to professional formatting standards. The final submission will be evaluated based on evidence of thorough research, depth of analysis, connection to course concepts, quality of recommendations, and clarity of presentation.

References

  • Armstrong, M. (2016). Armstrong's Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice. Kogan Page.
  • Burke, R. J. (2017). Organizational Excellence Through People. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 38(8), 1073-1091.
  • Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2018). Organizational Behavior (18th ed.). Pearson.
  • Schein, E. H. (2017). Cultural analysis and organizational culture change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 30(2), 258-272.
  • Greenberg, J. (2019). Managing Organizational Deviance. Journal of Management, 45(7), 288-305.
  • Mintzberg, H. (2015). The Structuring of Organizations. Prentice Hall.
  • Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2014). Transformational Leadership. Harvard Business Review, 72(4), 64-76.
  • Hofstede, G. (2011). Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1014
  • Yukl, G. (2012). Leadership in Organizations. Pearson.
  • Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.

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