Final Project: Organizational Level of Analysis Purpose: To explore and better understand organizational performance and effectiveness through an organizational level perspective. Related to the following course objectives: based on an understanding of human behavior, create and sustain an organizational environment that leads to high performance analyze and respond to leadership challenges such as decision making, change, conflict resolution, and organizational commitment in an organization at every level Deliverable : Approximately eight-page paper, including a cover page containing your name, assignment title, course name, the date, and the professor's name, and research references. Introduction to Assignment For this assignment, you will research and analyze the organizational performance and effectiveness of one of the organizations listed below.  You will also propose OB-relevant recommendations for change and improvement.  Google Target Microsoft Wal-Mart FAA FDIC Alternative organizations may be selected for analysis but will require my approval. I would, for example, be open to discussing uniquely challenged organizations, such as the US Airways-American Airlines merger, or Dell, which recently announced a move to go private after many years as a public company. Contact me about alternative Final Project topics by posting a message under Content/Ask the Professor.  Your analysis should include: 1. an interview, if available, of organizational members, stakeholders, or qualified relevantly-experienced OB experts familiar with your topic 2. research findings of the organization's web sites 3. data, information and ideas, particularly from Weeks 6 and 7 readings/resources, and at least four outside academic or credible, respected business publications 4. a SWOT analysis on the organization. 5. documented and evaluated OB strategies or interventions that the organization could use to enhance its overall performance and effectiveness. 6. proposed and evaluated OB-related recommendations for improvements in the organization. Read and follow all the Instructions carefully. Your analysis should evidence critical thinking skills (review Bloom’s Taxonomy) in identifying and explaining organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.  Emphasize course materials and resources assigned for Weeks 6 and 7; namely, but not limited to, managing groups and teams, group behavior, work and self-managed teams, communication, conflict and negotiation, and decision-making, along with outside research material.  Strive for originality and depth. Use examples and research information to support claims.  Use American Psychological Association (APA) format for in-text citations and the reference list.  Use the comprehensive outline format described in Instruction 9 to present your research, findings, analysis, and recommendations. Instructions 1)         Review the assignment purpose, course objective, and introduction above and .

1. Final Project: Organizational Level of Analysis
Purpose:
To explore and better understand organizational performance
and effectiveness through an organizational level perspective.
Related to the following course objectives:
based on an understanding of human behavior, create and
sustain an organizational environment that leads to high
performance
analyze and respond to leadership challenges such as decision
making, change, conflict resolution, and organizational
commitment in an organization at every level
Deliverable
:
Approximately eight-page paper, including a cover page
containing your name, assignment title, course name, the date,
and the professor's name, and research references.
Introduction to Assignment
For this assignment, you will research and analyze the
organizational performance and effectiveness of one of the
organizations listed below. You will also propose OB-relevant
recommendations for change and improvement.
Google
Target
Microsoft
Wal-Mart
FAA
FDIC
Alternative organizations may be selected for analysis but will
require my approval. I would, for example, be open to
discussing uniquely challenged organizations, such as the US
Airways-American Airlines merger, or Dell, which recently
announced a move to go private after many years as a public
company. Contact me about alternative Final Project topics by
posting a message under Content/Ask the Professor.

2. Your analysis should include:
1.
an interview, if available, of organizational members,
stakeholders, or qualified relevantly-experienced OB experts
familiar with your topic
2.
research findings of the organization's web sites
3.
data, information and ideas, particularly from Weeks 6 and 7
readings/resources, and at least four outside academic or
credible, respected business publications
4.
a SWOT analysis on the organization.
5.
documented and evaluated OB strategies or interventions that
the organization could use to enhance its overall performance
and effectiveness.
6.
proposed and evaluated OB-related recommendations for
improvements in the organization.
Read and follow all the Instructions carefully. Your analysis
should evidence critical thinking skills (review Bloom’s
Taxonomy) in identifying and explaining organizational
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Emphasize
course materials and resources assigned for Weeks 6 and 7;
namely, but not limited to, managing groups and teams, group
behavior, work and self-managed teams, communication,
conflict and negotiation, and decision-making, along with
outside research material. Strive for originality and depth. Use
examples and research information to support claims. Use

3. American Psychological Association (APA) format for in-text
citations and the reference list. Use the comprehensive outline
format described in Instruction 9 to present your research,
findings, analysis, and recommendations.
Instructions
1) Review the assignment purpose, course objective, and
introduction above and the grading rubric
at the end of these instructions.
2) Scan library and Internet resources on professor-
approved organizations
before making a selection.
Chose and research an organization
based on your level of interest in the subject, applicability to
your job or career goals, what you would like to learn about,
and feasibility for successful performance. Focus research on
factors described in Instructions 3, 4, and 5.
3) Identify, analyze and evaluate OB concepts/theories
that create an environment (work and organization design) that
leads to high performance.
4) Identify, analyze and evaluate strategies, policies, and
procedures relating to leadership challenges
such as decision making, change, conflict resolution, and
organizational commitment in an organization at every level.
5) Identify, analyze and evaluate techniques relating to
human resources policies and practices
(personal selection, training and development, and performance
evaluation).
6) Create a SWOT analysis
using standard four-square format for each component and
bullet points (Google SWOT analysis template for samples) to
present organizational level factors identified and examined in
Instructions 3, 4, and 5.
7) Discuss each SWOT component
analyzing and evaluating the organization's environment,

4. leadership, and human resources policies and practices.
8) Create at least three recommendations
, synthesizing key findings and ideas to maximize ongoing
improvements to organizational performance and success.
9) Draw data, information, and ideas from at least six
required resources (at least three from each of Weeks 6 and 7)
listed in the weekly Schedules, plus at least four credible,
authoritative, relevant outside sources for a total of at least ten
references.
Your outside references should show a mix of scholarly and
applied/practical sources, largely drawn from UMUC’s
Information Library System (ILS), and including classic
writings. Review APA citation materials and Tips on Research
Sources in Course Content.
Cite research sources within the paper’s body using APA in-text
formatting. Include a Reference list with complete source
information at the end of the paper.
See specific formatting and heading template instructions
below in Instruction 12. Alphabetize references under each
subheading. Please note my preference for including
publication date within in-text citations. You are expected to
paraphrase, using quotes only when the source’s verbatim
statements uniquely enhance meaning and understanding.
Deductions will be taken when quotes are overused and found to
be unnecessary.
See examples below.
In-text citation:
(Casey, 2002, p. 50). [Include publication date]
Reference citation:
Casey, C. (2002).
Critical Analysis of Organizations: Theory, practice,
revitalization
. London: Sage.
10) Identify and present in
bold
font at least eight different OB concepts, theories, methods,

5. strategies, interventions, or practices in your organizational
level analysis.
Demonstrate through context and/or endnotes your
understanding of the terms’ definition and meaningfulness to
the meet the assignment's purpose and course objectives.
11) Determine what significant learning and understanding
you gained from your research and analysis.
Identify and evaluate
at least three
valuable take-aways you learned from your organization change
analysis, and how you envision applying them to your job or
career.
12) Use the outline below for topic and subtopic headings
and subheadings
. Your deliverable will use a comprehensive outline format.
Feel free to
create additional subheadings or modify headings as needed to
present a group level analysis that meets the purpose, objectives
and instructions provided. Analysis and recommendations
should be presented in standard expository form under each
heading. Use examples and cite support sources as presented
above.
I. Title page
your name course name, assignment, date, and instructor’s
name.
II.
Brief description of organization [name, size, type of business,
service and/or products, location]
III.
SWOT analysis
A.
SWOT (grid figure with bullets followed by explanation
sections with examples)

6. 1.
Strengths
a.
Organization environment
b.
Leadership
c.
Human resources policies and practices
2.
Weaknesses
a.
Organization environment
b.
Leadership
c.
Human resources policies and practices
3.
Opportunities
a.
Organization environment
b.
Leadership
c.
Human resources policies and practices

7. 4.
Threats
a.
Organization environment
b.
Leadership
c.
Human resources policies and practices
IV. Recommendations
Recommendation 1
Recommendation 2
Recommendation 3
and so forth…
VI. Significant learning
Learning or Take-away 1
Learning or Take-away 2
Learning or Take-away 3
and so forth
VII. References
13) Use Microsoft Word for your text documents
.
Use the following title: your name_Final Project
topic/organization_464_date.
Try to be concise and keep your paper at approximately eight
pages in length including
cover page and references
, but rest assured that substance is more important than length.

8. Again, APA
reference format is required.
Criteria
demonstrates a high degree of critical thinking, is consistent in
accurately interpreting questions & material; provides solid
assumptions, reasoning & claims; thorough analysis &
evaluation with sound conclusions
shows good critical thinking; accurately interprets most
questions & material; usually identifies relevant
arguments/reasoning/claims; offers good analysis & evaluation
with fairly sound conclusions
shows occasional critical thinking; questions & material is at
times accurately interpreted; arguments/reasoning/claims are
occasionally explained; offers fair analysis & evaluation with a
conclusion
shows little critical thinking, misinterprets questions or
material; ignores or superficially evaluates; justifies little and
seldom explains reasoning; draws unwarranted conclusions
lacks critical thinking consistently offers biased interpretations;
ignores or superficially evaluates; argues using poor reasoning,
and/or unwarranted claims
arguments or positions are well-supported with evidence from
the readings/experience; ideas go beyond the course material
and recognize implications and extensions of the material and
concepts
arguments or positions are mostly supported by evidence from
the readings and course content; ideas presented demonstrate
student’s understanding of the material and concepts
arguments are more often based on opinion or unclear views

9. than on position grounded in the readings of material or
external sources of material
arguments are frequently illogical and unsubstantiated; student
may resort to ad hominem attacks on the author instead of
making meaningful application of the material
arguments lack meaningful explanation or support of ideas
demonstrated full understanding of requirements responded to
each aspect of assignment
demonstrated understanding of requirements; missed one minor
aspect of assignment
demonstrated some understanding of requirements; missed a key
element or two minor aspects of assignment
failed to show a firm understanding of requirement; missed two
key elements or several minor aspects of assignment
did not demonstrate understanding of assignment requirements
writing is clear and easy to follow; grammar and spelling are all
correct; formatting gives a professional look and adds to
readability
most ideas are presented clearly; occasional spelling and/or
grammar issues
wordy; some points require rereading to understand fully; more
than an occasional spelling and/or grammar
unclear and difficult to understand; frequent spelling and
grammar issues
largely incomprehensible writing/poorly written in terms of
mechanics and structure
no APA style errors
attempts in-text citation and reference list but 1 or 2 APA style
errors are present
attempts in-text citation and reference list; APA style errors are
present; inconsistencies in citation usage can be found
throughout the document
attempts either in-text citation or reference list but omits the
other
no attempt at APA style
Overall Score