Purposes:

• To develop skills in applying principles of organizational behavior to solve problems that are likely to be encountered by the HR specialist.
• To demonstrate ability to analyze SPSS data files and report findings.
• To gain insight into how group dynamics affect attempts at problem solving
• To experience and assess the effects of group dynamics (such as leadership, cooperation, competition) on motivation and satisfaction.
• To gain experience in writing a report and presenting team findings to management. see Case Report

Each Team will write ONE  Case Report  not more than 1500 words (tables, figures, references not included) of the findings for of the each of the three case studies.  It will be submitted online to Sakai on the due date. Team A will present its CASE (Class Presentation). The Case report must include a one page executive summary and a narrative which consists of the following sections: (described in more detail below: Guidelines for Writing Case Report)

Team Report assessment: Each member will contribute to the Team Report. One grade will be assigned for each team member.

Each of the Teams will be assigned to each of the three cases. Thereafter, Teams will discuss on online using the Sakai webboard assigned for the class.

After reading the case assigned, Teams will meet online to Organize. In this meeting the group will:

1. Decide  how the Team will be conducted (management style)

2. Decide on who will be the team leader or facilitator.

The  facilitator may wish to lead in a democratic or autocratic style, assign another member to lead, permit a leader to emerge, or permit the Team to be leaderless.  (see bottom of page for Vroom and Yetton decision strategies)

3. Define the unique role for each team member such that they are interdependent with regard to the theoretical perspective taken (satisfaction, motivation, leadership)

4. Define the problem in general terms. The goal(s) should be established, with an identification of obstacles to be overcome.

5. Determine a strategy for arriving at a solution. Cooperative, competitive, anarchy.
    And most important, a strategy for constructing the Team Report.

6. Decide how decisions will be made to incorporate individual contributions. Consensus, majority, leader decision.

7. Establish a timeline for postings to the Webboard to insure deadlines are met.

On line discussions:

Following the strategy agreed upon by the Team in the initial session, Team members will communicate online using the Sakai to Discuss the proble(s) and Decide on the solution(s) to implement. To ensure that members' roles are clearly understood, and that all participate,  each member must submit a posting to the team on the WebTyco team Study Group to facilitate discussion of the case before the decisions are finalized. 

Class Presentation:

On the assigned date, for each case, Team A will Present an oral summary of the final written report (for instructor) to the class for discussion. Your team is encouraged to use visual enhancements such as PowerPoint for the presentation.

Guidelines for Team  Case Reports*

Team Case reports must be no longer than 1500 words (single spaced on online submission).

1.  Executive summary - One page description summarizing the report (much like an expanded abstract). Be sure to include the recommendations.
    (be sure to include the recommendations)

2.  Description of the case scenario (brief) -no more than two pages, to provide the information essential for understanding the nature of the problem
     and should include only details directly relevant to the case.

3.  Problem statement - this is a critical aspect since the problem definition will determine the course of how solutions will be generated.
    This section  MUST CONTAIN LITERATURE RELEVANT TO THE CASE, to include references from scientific journals, including I/O
    journals such as Journal of Applied Psychology, Personnel, Organizational Behavior, etc..

4. Theory oriented: Introduction must include relevant theories, satisfaction, motivation, leadership and show how they directly relate to each case.

5. Results of SPSS data analysis - Incorporate statistical analyses from the SPSS data file into the Results section.
    NOTE:  Figures and Tables should be imported into the MS Word Report in the APA format available in SPSS.

6. Analysis (using course content and SPSS data file provided) - The analysis must incorporate the theories, relevant findings from the
     readings and other literature that bear on the problem.

7. Proposed solutions -solutions should follow from the analysis section, and thus reflect the ideas and findings from the analysis.

8. Decision - describe the decision, and why it was chosen over the other alternatives.

9.  Predicted consequences of the decision - describe both the strengths and weakness of the decision, and offer recommendations and conclusions.

10. Conclusion -summarize and conclude.

11. References - MUST include some directly relevant to the case itself

* Use APA style for citing references

Vroom, V. H. & Yetton, P.W. (1973) Leadership and Decision Making University of Pittsburgh Press

CII "You share the problem with your subordinates as a group, obtaining their collective ideas and suggestions. then you make the decision, which may or may not reflect your subordinates' influence."

GII "You share the problem with your subordinates as a group. Together you generate and evaluate alternatives and attempt to reach agreement (consensus) on a solution. Your role is much like that of chairman (sic). You do not try to influence the group to adopt "your" solution, and you are willing to accept and implement any solution which has the support of the group."