BUS599 – MBA Integrative Project module 2 Case

Module 2 – Background
Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP:
Time Warp!!
.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=home”>.gif” alt=”Introduction”>.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=bkg”>.gif” alt=”Background information”>.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=case”>.gif” alt=”Case assignment”>.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=slp”>.gif” alt=”Session long project”>.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=objectives”>.gif” alt=”Objectives”>
Case 2
Background
Organizational Development (OD) is a fundamental
management subject and important for an MBA degree program. One aspect of
Organizational Development is Organizational Diagnosis, which is not as
comprehensive as the overall development or change process. Diagnosis is often
the first step in the OD process. Over the years, there have been many OD
models developed. Some are better than others and some are more useful in
certain situations than others. Later models were developed with Open System
Theory in mind, which tends to make the models more
comprehensive. ABC Company and Whole Foods
Market are interested in using an OD model to diagnose Whole Foods
Market’s current situation. You will need to have an understanding of some of
these models in order to make a recommendation.
Required Reading:
Download and read this white paper by Falletta about OD models. Salvatore
Falletta, President and CEO of Leadersphere, has written a white paper that
reviews several commonly used models of organizational diagnosis. You will use
several of these models in conducting your integrative Case project. The
relevant part of this paper in terms of this class is the first 31 pages.
The last part of the paper (pp. 32-43) deals with the theoretical foundations
of the Burke & Litwin model, Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence
Model; this is optional reading. We are not covering Falletta’s
Organizational Intelligence Model.
Falletta, S. V. (2005) Organizational Diagnostic Models: A Review and
Synthesis. Retrieved November 7, 2012 from .leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf”>http://www.leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf
Falletta provides an overview of Open Systems Theory (OST) in his paper (pp.
8 & 9). Keep in mind that OST is not an OD model, but rather a basis for
most of the later models. For a deeper understanding, go to the following
optional reading and read about systems, systems thinking, and organizations as
open systems. You will see that businesses are not unlike living organisms:
they depend on the environment for sustenance; they comprise multiple, mutually
dependent parts; and they affect the environment in the course of their daily
activities. Open Systems Theory provides valuable insights into organizations.
Optional Reading
National Defense University, Systems Thinking and Learning
Organizations,Retrieved November 7, 2012 from .au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html”>http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html
There are no reading assignments for the SLP.
However, if you need a refresher on various theories (product life
cycle, pricing, price elasticity, market saturation, product development, etc.)
there are a multitude of articles on the Internet.
Optional Review Materials
Once again, a small sample of Internet materials that may help you
throughout the course can be accessed by clicking .trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=86&module=0&page=custom1″>here,
and can serve as a complement to previous course materials. You are
encouraged to supplement this list if you need additional refreshers.

Module 2 – Case
Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP:
Time Warp!!
.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=home”>.gif” alt=”Introduction”>.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=bkg”>.gif” alt=”Background information”>.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=case”>.gif” alt=”Case assignment”>.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=slp”>.gif” alt=”Session long project”>.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=2&page=objectives”>.gif” alt=”Objectives”>
BACKGROUND:
XCG
The Excellent Consulting Group
Communication from Art:
Thank you for your report on the strategy analysis of Whole Foods Market.
Now, we need to move ahead to the next part of this project.
ABC Company and Whole Foods Market have decided they want to do an
Organizational Diagnosis to determine how various aspects of Whole Foods Market
are aligned, such as inputs, resources, productivity, throughput effort,
outputs, performance, strategy, etc. They want to know if there are any
significant issues at Whole Foods Market and how these issues might affect
its integration into ABC Company.
REQUIRED READING:
Download and read this white paper by Falletta about OD models. Salvatore
Falletta, President and CEO of Leadersphere, has written a white paper that
reviews several commonly used models of organizational diagnosis. You will use
several of these models in conducting your integrative Case project. The
relevant part of this paper in terms of this class is the first 31 pages.
The last part of the paper (pp. 32-43) deals with the theoretical foundations
of the Burke & Litwin model, Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model;
reading that is optional. We are not covering Falletta’s Organizational
Intelligence Model.
Falletta, S. V. (2005) Organizational Diagnostic Models: A Review and
Synthesis. Retrieved November 7, 2012 from .leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf”>http://www.leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf
Falletta provides an overview of Open Systems Theory (OST) in his paper (pp.
8 & 9). Keep in mind that OST is not an OD model, but rather a basis for
most of the later models. For a deeper understanding, go to the following
optional reading and read about systems, systems thinking, and organizations as
open systems. You will see that businesses are not unlike living organisms:they
depend on the environment for sustenance; they comprise multiple,
mutually dependent parts; and they affect the environment in the course of
their daily activities. Open Systems Theory provides valuable insights into
organizations.
Optional Reading
National Defense University, Systems Thinking and Learning
Organizations,Retrieved November 7, 2012 from .au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html”>http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html
Review Case Analysis since it is so important in this final
course. The purpose of a Case is to show that you have thought critically about
the subject matter that you are learning and to make an argument for a Claim
about the specific situation in the Case Assignment. Stephen Toulmin has
developed an Argument Methodology that is very useful in Making a Case.
To review Case Analysis and Toulmin’s Argument Methodology, go to .trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=456&term=113&module=1&page=custom1″>Making a Case page.

CASE 2 ASSIGNMENT:
There is some disagreement in the Executive ranks as to which OD method or
model should be used. Some executives have familiarity with a couple of models,
but it seems to be only based on what they have read or heard about. You need
to explore some models and determine their strengths and weaknesses, and
ultimately recommend which one is best for Whole Foods Market. As part of
making that determination, you will also need to identify several critical
issues facing Whole Foods Market.
The executives want you to include the 7S model, the Congruence
Model, and the Burke-Litwin Model in your analysis. Pick three
or four more models to include for a well-rounded group of OD
models.
Prepare a report in which you include the following:
A brief
overview of what each of the six or seven models you are analyzing does.Clearly
identify the strengths and weaknesses of each model.Identify
and discuss two or three issues that Whole Foods Market is facing.Determine
which model you think is the best one to use.Recommend
which model to use. Make
a Strong Case.
Explain why your selection would be the best choice, and how the recommended
model can be used to help diagnose the issues you have identified.
This should be a 5- to 7-page paper (not including Title Page and
References).
ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS
Your paper will be evaluated on the following seven points:
Precision
– Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)? Breadth –
Is the full breadth of the subject, that is, the Keys to the Assignment,
addressed? Depth –
Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the
background reading and other background resources as references? Critical
thinking – Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately,
logically, relevantly, and precisely?Clarity –
Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to
the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of
quotations? Organization
– Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and
vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings
included in all papers longer than two pages? Referencing
(citations and references) – Does the paper include citations and
quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the
background reading and assignment present and properly cited? Are
all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to
via
citation?

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS
You may
use a simple diagram to highlight important factors. However, do not use
the diagram in lieu of valuable analysis (or to take up valuable writing
space) – it should be in addition to your 5-7 pages of analysis.Just
because you have written the minimum five pages does not mean that you
have adequately covered the topic. Err on the side of writing more
rather than less.Choose the
data you use carefully. Is it relevant and important?Include a
cover page and reference page, in addition to the 5-7 pages of analysis
described above.Include
headings within the paper.Cite and
reference all sources that you use in your work, including those that you
paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for
direct quotes of more than five words, and citations for that information
which you have “borrowed” or paraphrased from other sources.Follow .trident.edu/files/Well-Written-Paper.pdf”>TUI
Guidelines for well-written papers.