Managing the Organization Structure

Module 4 - Case

MANAGING THE ORGANIZATION’S STRUCTURE

Assignment Overview

After finishing with the background page and readings, go to the following interview with Rosabeth Moss Kanter, who is a renowned Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, and an influential business advisor. Among other things, in this interview she talks about the evolution of changes in organizational structure in the past decades, and the link to employees’ well-being and functioning.

Required Reading

Both of the following articles can be found in the Trident University Library

Puffer, S. (2004) Changing organizational structures: An interview with Rosabeth Moss Kanter. Academy of Management Executive, 18(2).

The following article looks at changing organizational structures as open systems and the effect on managers.

Buhler, P. M. (2011). Changing organizational structures and their impact on managers. Supervision, 72(2), 24-26.

Case Assignment

Write a 4- to 5-page critique answering the questions below.

1.An organization’s structure can have significant effects on its members. What might those effects be? Analyze the behavioral implications of different organizational designs and use at least three examples, Quicken Loans being one of them.

2.Is it possible to generalize and say that a certain structure is better than others? That is, is there a structure that is superior in terms of its effects on its members?

Keys to the Assignment

The key aspects of this assignment that should be covered in your paper are:

•Define the problem: Explain the relationship between organizational structure and human behaviors.

•Analyze the cause: Analyze how specific organizational designs can elicit predictable attitudes and motivations. Be sure to use Quicken Loans as one of your examples (refer back to Module 1).

•Propose a solution: Take a position on Question 2 and defend it with references to the concepts in the readings in this module and any previous modules that you find relevant.

Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated using the following five (5) criteria:

•Assignment-Driven Criteria (Precision and Breadth): Does the paper fully address all Keys to the Assignment? Are the concepts behind the Keys to the Assignment addressed accurately and precisely using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?

•Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking and Depth): Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of discussion and analysis?

•Business Writing (Clarity and Organization): Is the paper well written (clear, developed logically, and well organized)? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are section headings included in all papers? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the Keys to the Assignment, or is justification/support instead conveyed through excessive use of direct quotations?

•Effective Use of Information (Information Literacy and References): Does the paper demonstrate that the student has read, understood and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated effective research, as evidenced by student’s use of relevant and quality (library?) sources? Do additional sources used in paper provide strong support for conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?

•Citing Sources: Does the student demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing, by inclusion of proper end references and in-text citations (for paraphrased text and direct quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included, and are these properly cited? Have all end references been included within the body of the paper as in-text citations?

Tips and Suggestions

Please note the following tips and suggestions:

•Include a cover page and reference page in addition to the 4–5 pages of analysis described above.

•You are expected to demonstrate that you have read, understood, and can apply the required background readings for this module in your answer to this case. Be sure to read the required readings carefully, and use the theories and arguments you learn from them to support your analysis.

•Include headings for all papers longer than two pages (basically all papers).

•Cite and reference all sources that you use in your work, including those that you do not quote but paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than five words, and include citations for information that you have "borrowed" or paraphrased from other sources.

•Follow TUI Guidelines for well-written papers. (If you are unsure of what those guidelines are, see Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper).