Individual Assignment 2: Research, Analysis & Outline for Final Paper

CLO #3 Analyze the need for increasing creative thought in a complex global environment including designing strategies to increase cash, profit and growth through understanding competitive dynamics.

CLO#5 Analyze and apply decision matrices for creative opportunities, or to mitigate risk and/or legal considerations in the global marketplace including compliance with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Due: Wednesday Week 6

Value: 150

Length: 5 – 7 page informal outline.

The purpose of this assignment is for students to write an outline that presents their research for the final paper (the Signature Assignment) for this class. Students are not writing the final paper (yet). For this assignment, and thus for the final paper students are to identify a business that corresponds to the assigned business sectors (each student is to identify a separate business). In this outline, students will bring options and opportunities, creative problem solving to either solve a problem or create an opportunity. Remember we do not tell companies what they “must or should do.” We present options and opportunities. Students will apply creative innovative thought to the analysis. You can use bullet points for this outline. Students should apply any feedback received from this assignment to the final assignment.

Some important items to note before writing Assignment 2:

· Please go to Week 8 and read the Handout and Rubric for Assignment 3.

· The research is very detailed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, , Title Page, References and . This is an example of an .

· Long quotes are not to be used in short papers of this nature; thus, all quotes should be from seven to 12 words and of course must use APA citations.

· The outline is to detail key points supported with corresponding citations.

· The outline must use at least three levels of . Sources (must be current – one year) other than the textbook can include: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Wired Magazine, (all can be found in the our University Library). You can also use any government website (usually “.gov”). You can use academic research but it must be recent (five years or newer).

Directions

After reading assigned chapters in your textbook and other course materials, continue your research to gain additional knowledge on industries and business sectors. This following link, , has access to a breakdown of all industries. The links after each industry provides additional data.

For the outline, briefly describe the business that you have chosen and the global footprint of their broader industry [e.g. number of subsidiaries in other countries, information on profit and growth strategies, key suppliers and customers. List three (3) major competitors (supported by data), and explain the percentage of the market share the business occupies].

The traditional industries include:

· Construction

· Education and Health Services

· Financial Activities

· Information

· Leisure and Hospitality

· Manufacturing

· Natural Resources and Mining

· Other services (except public administration)

· Professional and business services

· Trade, transportation and utilities

Note: You may not cut and paste information about the industry from the team assignment, however this paper is specifically on a business chosen within that industry. Each student must choose a separate business within that industry (so check with each member of your team to be sure that you are NOT using the same company within the industry – this is the student's responsibility to confirm that they are not using the same company as any other team member). ALSO – remember that each industry must be covered by one of the team members. AND – you may not use your own company, since it would be impossible to have totally objective research without some amount of experience, emotion, and personal opinion or bias. You may, however, use your own company as one of the three competitors, and let the research become useful to you in making recommendations to your own organization.

Introduction

The introduction is usually about a half of page long and contains information that will explain the value that the paper/analysis/research will bring. It does not contain long quotes. It will give specifics of company, industry and details of the value the business brings to the marketplace. The introduction is written last (as you can’t introduce what you have not written yet). The introduction will tie closely with the three analysis sections below and the conclusion.

Analysis

An analysis normally has three parts (triangulation of the data). Students do not need to use the exact three major headings below, but they are recommended. Each of the three sections below will occupy about a page to a page and a half of the outline. Remember outlines do not have long quotations. However each heading will normally have four to five sub points, and sources cited using APA.

Risk

The risk that the student identifies for this paper will be clearly explained using data analysis (not opinion). The risks will generally include a risk that can be solved using the material from this course (creativity, innovation collaboration between stakeholders). So risk factors for having “old machinery” or for something general like “bad management” would not qualify for this paper.

Competition

Research and analyze what the competition within the same industry is doing that may be better than the business that the student chose. Opportunities often come from an honest analysis of the competition. The competition chosen does not need to be the largest competitors, but need to be a company that is competing for roughly the same customers. Identify ways that the competition is more collaborative, creative and or innovative. Most students will choose three competitors to analyze. It will be easier if students choose competitors who are publicly held as financial information is readily available. This portion of the assignment lends itself to a graph or chart that is followed by analysis (the variables on the left may vary with each business.)

Connection between Personal History of Creativity and What is Being Learned in the Class

We are best at what we like to do. Think about your own proclivity toward creativity and as you perform your analysis consider incorporating your creativity strengths into your work. Remember we are all creative as there are a variety of ways you have learned about applying creative thought to problem solving. For the final paper, you will be building an Action Plan which will connect to your personal creativity.

History and position of the business within the industry

This section normally has three parts and each part has a short five to seven different word quote from the text, research and course materials. Remember outlines do not have long quotations. You may use information and research from the team project but additional research will need to be included that specifically ties to the business you have chosen within that industry.

History of innovation (successful and unsuccessful) within the industry and the company specifically

This section should have three parts – each part should a short five-to-seven word quote from the text or research and course materials. Remember outlines do not have long quotations. Give examples of innovation, understanding the milieu of the business within the global marketplace.

Risk Analysis

Analyze the potential risks for this specific business and opportunities for innovation. This will be based upon your research on competitors. The risk that the student would identify would have something to do with either creativity and/or innovation as that is the focus of this class. These risks can include, but are not limited to (failed innovations, a lack of innovation compared to the business's competitors, lack of creative problem solving or even a lack of collaboration between stakeholders (e.g.customers, suppliers). Risk is always based upon analysis (not opinion). Include FCPA in your analysis. For a quick reference to FCPA read this very short article, and more information on risk, .

Recommendations/Conclusions

This section is normally about half of a page to a full page long. It contains at least two quotes from the text and/or other sources. It has specific recommendations based upon research (not opinion). The recommendations section ties closely with the introduction and a recommendation and conclusion section never brings in any new data. The recommendations need to be clear and precise. Remember from the limited viewpoint and research students will not be bringing the “final answer” to a problem. The recommendations are to be written with humility and never use “must or should.” Students are to bring options and opportunities not edicts that companies “must” follow.

Remember, this assignment is an OUTLINE of research and selected quotes for the final paper. The final paper will also require additional research on Competition and Collaboration, as well as a specific reference to and use of the S.M.A.R.T. Goals template, Action Plan for the Company you chose, and a visual of your Action Plan. Assignment #2 is heavily focused on research and analysis and is full of short quotations that show a graduate level depth of analysis and thought. Concepts are applied from what has been learned in this class

You may use bullets or paragraphs in your Outline, whichever is most useful to you. This is not a “rough draft” of your Signature Assignment Paper (Assignment #3) and you may not copy and paste paragraphs from the Outline directly into your final paper.

OLCU 632 Individual Assignment 2 Rubric