Assignment Overview
The case assignments were designed before Amazon purchased Whole Foods Market. Now that WFM is owned by Amazon the data needed is no longer available or out of date. This makes doing the case somewhat difficult.
We are going to analyze a different company for the cases: JAKKS Pacific, Inc. This is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ under the symbol JAKK. The company is in the toy industry.
So when you are reading the case assignments, just substitute JAKKS Pacific, Inc. where ever you see Whole Foods Market. Here are some links to help you begin to get info and data on this company:
If you do a web search on "JAKKS Pacific strategy" you will find several good articles.
Also use IBISWorld in the Trident Library. Search on "US Toy & Craft Supplies Wholesaling". This will provide you with industry data as well as info on the competition in this industry.
NOTE - the actual assignment activities do not change, just the company that you are analyzing in the case scenarios.
CASE 1 ASSIGNMENT REVIEW (SOME TIPS ON HOW TO COMPLETE CASE 1 SUCCESSFULLY)
What are the deliverables for this case assignment? Included should be a complete review of JAKKS Pacific's Mission, Vision, Values and Strategy. What do we mean by Strategy? This should focus on several different levels of strategy: Is there a Grand Strategy? Is there a business strategy, i.e. one of Porter's four generic strategies (which you should know) and then some details that are specific to this company - what are they actually doing that specifically is focused on making the strategy happen?
The most important part of the paper is answering this question: JAKKS Pacific and ABC Company want to know if we (meaning you) think they should make any strategic changes or continue with the status quo. Synthesize everything you have discussed, provide a final recommendation, and justify your reasoning.
What is your recommendation? - continue with the current strategy (status quo) or change to a different strategy, and be specific about that strategy (grand strategy, Porter's generic, and specific goals/actions). And the EXPLAIN and JUSTIFY your recommendation.
When you explain or justify that means discuss "why". And you should go at least three levels deep in your "why analysis".
For example, if you say "I recommend that JAKKS stick with the status quo because it is working really well", then say why it is working really well. You could say, "because the current strategy fits well with the competitive landscape and JAKKS mission and SWOT", and then explain why again, "because the other competitors are using the XXX strategy and because the mission of JAKKS is yyy, and they are using their abc Strengths and taking advantage of opportunity xyz."
In other words, use the info and data you identified earlier in the paper to support your recommendation and justify it.
Review
Case Analysis since it is so important in this final course. The purpose of a Case is to show that you have thought critically about the subject matter that you are learning and to make an argument for a Claim about the specific situation in the Case Assignment. Stephen Toulmin has developed an Argument Methodology that is very useful in Making a Case.Module 2 - Background
Organizational Development (OD) is a fundamental management subject and important for an MBA degree program. One aspect of Organizational Development is Organizational Diagnosis, which is not as comprehensive as the overall development or change process. Diagnosis is often the first step in the OD process. Over the years, there have been many OD models developed. Some are better than others and some are more useful in certain situations than others. Later models were developed with Open System Theory in mind, which tends to make the models more comprehensive.
ABC Company and Whole Foods Market are interested in using an OD model to diagnose Whole Foods Market's current situation. You will need to have an understanding of some of these models in order to make a recommendation.
Case Assignment
There is some disagreement in the Executive ranks as to which OD method or model should be used.
Some executives have familiarity with a couple of models, but it seems to be only based on what they have read or heard about. You need to explore some models and determine their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately recommend which one is best for Whole Foods Market. As part of making that determination, you will also need to identify several critical issues facing Whole Foods Market.
The executives want you to include the 7S model, the Congruence Model, and the Burke-LitwinModel in your analysis. Pick three or four more models to include for a well-rounded group of OD models.
Prepare a report in which you include the following:
1. A brief overview of what each of the six or seven models you are analyzing does.
2. Clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of each model.
3. Identify and discuss two or three issues that Whole Foods Market is facing.
4. Determine which model you think is the best one to use.
5. Recommend which model to use. Make a Strong Case. Explain why your selection would be the best choice, and how the recommended model can be used to help diagnose the issues you have identified.
This should be a 5- to 7-page paper (not including Title Page and References).
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated on the following seven points:
- Precision - Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
- Breadth - Is the full breadth of the subject, that is, the Keys to the Assignment, addressed?
- Depth - Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the background reading and other background resources as references?
- Critical thinking - Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?
- Clarity - Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of quotations?
- Organization - Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?
- Referencing (citations and references) - Does the paper include citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the background reading and assignment present and properly cited? Are all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via citation?
TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS
- You may use a simple diagram to highlight important factors. However, do not use the diagram in lieu of valuable analysis (or to take up valuable writing space) - it should be in addition to your 5-7 pages of analysis.
- Just because you have written the minimum five pages does not mean that you have adequately covered the topic. Err on the side of writing more rather than less.
- Choose the data you use carefully. Is it relevant and important?
- Include a cover page and reference page, in addition to the 5-7 pages of analysis described above.
- Include headings within the paper.
- Cite and reference all sources that you use in your work, including those that you paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than five words, and citations for that information which you have "borrowed" or paraphrased from other sources.