Problem Solving Paper

This assignment asks you to apply one topic from the course to attempt to solve a specific problem that exists in an organization with which you are familiar. That problem should center on either a job performance issue or an organizational commitment issue. The paper should be at max 1000 words in length (all inclusive). Your paper can focus on either a current or past employer of yours, or some other company with which you have significant familiarity. What’s needed is some knowledge of the inner workings of the company–its struggles, its strengths, its climate, and so forth. The paper should include the following four sections: 1. Organization – Provide just enough details on the company for me to be able to understand the problem that will be described. Resist the urge to provide irrelevant details and feel free to omit or disguise any details that might be sensitive in nature. 2. Problem – Describe, specifically, one problem that the company is struggling with that will serve as the focus of the paper. Resist the urge to discuss multiple problems–focus on one specific issue with which the organization is struggling. Be sure to focus on a problem that can be impacted by the relevant topic. 3. Topic – Choose one topic from the list below, and apply that topic to the problem. Describe very specifically how the concepts, principles, and findings represented in the topic matter to the problem, and how they can be leveraged to articulate a solution. • Value-percept theory • Job characteristics theory • Challenge-hindrance stressors • Expectancy theory • Goal setting theory • Equity theory • Psychological empowerment • Cognition-based trust • Justice • Ethical decision making • Cognitive ability • Emotional intelligence • Team processes • Types of power • Transformational leadership 4. Recommendations – Provide a list of very specific recommendations/action steps that flow out of the discussion of the topic and that can help solve the problem. In thinking about how to craft the topic into those recommendations, strike a balance between being practical and being bold. Every organization has key constraints that need to be taken into account when designing interventions. Although those should be considered, resist the urge to “play it safe”, as that tendency often leads to modest interventions that are ultimately ineffective. Beyond the parameters above, please bring your own self-expression, initiative, and creativity to the content and style of the paper. 80% of the paper grade will revolve around content issues, with 20% revolving around writing style issues. Papers are to be submitted on Desire 2 learn in .doc format by no later than the start of class on the date that it is due.