Final Project: Organizational Behavior in Action

Final Project: Organizational Behavior in Action

Objective:
This project will give you hands-on experience applying organizational behavior concepts to real-world organizations. You will analyze an organization of your choice, evaluate its workplace culture, and propose recommendations to improve effectiveness, employee satisfaction, and overall organizational health.

Project Instructions:

1. Select an Organization

• Choose an organization you are familiar with or can research (e.g., your current workplace, a company in the news, or a well-known business).
• Ensure you have access to enough information to understand the organization's structure, culture, and challenges.

2. Research the Organization

• Gather information on the organization’s background, mission, values, and goals.
• Look for sources such as news articles, company reports, and credible online information.
• Identify the organization’s key departments, leadership styles, and any recent challenges it has faced (such as change management, employee engagement, or leadership turnover).

3. Analyze Organizational Behavior Elements

• Culture: Describe the organization’s culture. What are its defining characteristics? How does it impact employee behavior and motivation?
• Leadership: Analyze the organization’s leadership style(s). Does it align with the organization’s values and culture? How does it affect employee satisfaction and performance?
• Communication: Evaluate communication practices within the organization. Are there effective channels for information flow? Are there challenges or barriers to effective communication?
• Motivation and Job Satisfaction: Identify factors that influence employee motivation and satisfaction. Does the organization use incentives, professional development opportunities, or other motivational techniques?

4. Propose Recommendations

• Based on your analysis, suggest 2-3 specific actions the organization could take to improve its culture, leadership, communication, or employee motivation.
• Each recommendation should be realistic and supported by course concepts. For example, you might suggest implementing more team-building activities to enhance culture or training programs to improve leadership effectiveness.

5. Reflect on Your Learning

• Write a brief reflection (1-2 paragraphs) on what you learned from this project. How did analyzing this organization deepen your understanding of organizational behavior? How could you apply these insights in your own career?

Project Submission

• Length: 5-6 pages, double-spaced.
• Structure:
  1. Introduction: Brief overview of the chosen organization and why you selected it.
  2. Organizational Analysis: Sections on culture, leadership, communication, and motivation.
  3. Recommendations: Your 2-3 actionable suggestions with explanations.
  4. Reflection: Personal insights and takeaway from the project.

Grading Criteria

• Quality of Organizational Analysis (40%)
• Applicability of Recommendations (30%)
• Use of Course Concepts (20%)
• Organization and Clarity (10%)

Tips for Success

• Be specific: Use concrete examples and cite course concepts.
• Think practically: Recommendations should be actionable within the context of the organization.
• Focus on improvement: Highlight solutions that could realistically enhance organizational effectiveness and employee satisfaction.