How to write papers for this course
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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Writing Papers
Objectives: to apply the course material to a real business organization
• Studying and analyzing the realities of the organization • Providing your recommendations
Individually or by groups of two Memo format Prove your opinion!!!!!
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Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
How to write papers
Step 1: Find a real organization Step 2: Read the assignment Step 3. Do research and present the data Step 4. Discuss the data Step 5. Work out recommendations (refer on the textbook and other resources) Step 6: Write the paper Step 7: Submit it ON TIME
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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Structure of the paper
Introduction Analysis
• Data • Discussion
Recommendations Conclusion Reference list
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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10% - Introduction
Objectives of the paper
Presentation of the organization (department) you study.
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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A Bad Example of an Introduction
I am currently working in at a commercial retail store. For confidential reasons we will call this the Retail Store. The store is a mircobusiness, only having seven employees besides the owner/manager. Prior to opening his own retail store he worked at what is now our competition, which should give us an edge, knowing the insides of their business. Unfortunately for personal reasons he has found it more beneficial to keep his current fulltime job than to be solely self-employed. He has chosen to manage the store on his own and take care of all the inventory as well on weekends or before and after work at his other job.
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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A Good Example of an Introduction
Hamden Center for Human Services is a local outpatient mental health and substance abuse agency. This agency is associated with the City of Hamden. HCHS does not have its own HR department. However because HCHS often acts as its own agency, the Executive Director often addresses many HR functions directly.
The objective of this memo is to analyze how effectively HR functions are addressed within HCHS and by the City HR department.
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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40% - Analysis
20% 1.Objectives of the study. 2.Method of gathering data. 3.Data or examples (behavioral facts). 4.Tables / diagrams 20% Discussion of data (strengths & weaknesses of management)
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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A Good Example of Data Presentation
Methods of study: a survey. Subjects: eight employees of BCRF. Procedure: To evaluate the effectiveness of HR practice, a questionnaire was given to BCRF personnel. The questionnaire asked staff to rate how effectively BCRF addresses HR functions. Seven areas were identified as primary functions of human resources: Employee/organizational development, performance appraisal, rewards/benefits, productivity improvement, staffing, employee/employer relations, health and safety. Staff was asked to evaluate these functions through a rating scale (1-not effective, 2somewhat effective, 3-very effective).
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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Methods of gathering data
Survey Interview Observations of current practice Analysis of official reports/memos Internet / media research (multiple sources)
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Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
How data can be presented: a survey
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
2
Intelligence Charisma Vision Humility Action-oriented Honesty, ethic
0 1
1
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Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
yes 11 no I am not sure
How data can be presented: an interview
Respondent
Bob
Answer
Meaning
Resume, phone interview, face- 3-steps to-face interview procedure
John
Collin
Resume, face-to-face interview 2-steps
Resume, phone interview, 5-steps references, tests, face-to-face interview Resume, phone interview, face- 3-steps to-face interview Ph.D. Yuliya Ivanova,
Linda
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How data can be presented: an internet/media research
How often this procedure is used? Procedure 1: description Sour Sour Sour Sour ce 1 ce 2 ce 3 ce 4 + + + #1
Procedure 2: description
Procedure 3: description
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
+
+
+
#2
#3
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How data can be presented: an observation
Managerial Observation’s facts Function The manager establishes strategic Planning Organizing Leading
goals, SMART objectives, uses MBO The manager provides JD. The JD covers 60% of my real job. There are many “nobody’s” tasks. For the last three days the manager yelled 8 times for different reasons
Controlling The manager asks about the reports
time to time, but does not discuss them Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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How data can be presented: an observation and analysis of records
Performance Appraisal Interview
Criteria Specific Active listening Avoid destructive criticism Judge performance, not personality Set future goals Situa- Situa- Situa- Situa- Situation 1 tion 2 tion 3 tion 4 tion 5 + + + + + + + + +
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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How to end the Analysis part
Explain what the data means – this is the place for your opinion! Summarize your thoughts about the organizational strengths and weaknesses in the discussed areas. • strengths
Hhhh Hhhh
• weaknesses
Hjklkl Kkkkk Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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40% - Recommendations
Show how to preserve the strengths and overcome the weaknesses. The recommendations must relate to your analysis!! Refer to the THEORIES of the course (as theoretical justification) Additional sources of info (with references)
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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The Bad Example of Recommendations
My recommendation to deal with the situation in a thoughtful, though painful, manner is that I would ask my supervisor, Lora, to put her expectations of the various staff positions in writing, facilitate informal relationship building and then allow personnel to change, transfer or resign so the personnel remaining in the organization can focus on the mission and on how she feels the mission should best be accomplished.
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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How to Write Good Recommendations
Recommendation # 1 Present a short, focused, “how to” message (underline it) Explain why you recommend it (references to the theories and the additional info) Explain what exactly a manager should do to implement your recommendation.
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
Recommendation # 2.
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15% - Conclusion
Summary. Importance of the changes you recommend. Lessons you learned as a manager
5% - References
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
Use any style (Harvard, APA, Chicago Style, etc), but be consistent
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Thus, the structure of WRITING PAPERS:
Introduction – 10% Analyses
• Methods & data – 20% • Analysis – 20%
Discussion and Recommendations – 30% Conclusion – 15% Reference List – 5%
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Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
What is REALLY important
The papers must be organized. It’s not an English class essay. It is a business paper The paper must present the author’s findings in the most efficient and visual manner “Omit needless words. Avoid of loose sentences. Use definite, specific, concrete language” (Strunk & White. Elements of Style)
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
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Grading criteria (on base of Dr. Speece’s ideas ) RUBRICS:
Idea development
Resources
• Current situation (data, +/) • Recommended development • Data • Textbooks (theories) • Additional sources • Each issue • Relations
Depth
• Structure • Business writing style Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D.
Organization
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