Paper based on some material and slides-Operations Management homework task
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ASSIGNMENT #iii
COMPARE & CONTRAST GROUP PROJECT REPORT (15 MARKS)
DEADLINES:
1. Groups are to submit a typed written document noting their Thesis Statement (captures your position on the main point, main idea, or central message) to be used in the
Compare and Contrast Group Project Report Friday, October 12, 2018 in class. The
Thesis Statement is to be no longer than one sentence in length. Group names and
student numbers and date at the top of the page. Thesis Information is provided in this
document and on eConestoga.
2. Submit FINAL report by October 21, 2018 11:59PM to the Assignment Folder on eConestoga
3. Hand-in hard copy of the FINAL report submitted to the Assignment Folder on eConestoga in class November 2, 2018. Professional binding not required. Stapled, top
left corner.
Using the concepts and theories covered in the course, compare and contrast the management
and leadership styles, processes, methods, etc. of the following three organizations:
1. Microsoft 2. Facebook 3. Home Depot
The concepts and theories you are to use to compare and contrast the management and
leadership styles, processes, and methods of the three companies noted above are:
1. Vision 2. Mission 3. Strategy 4. Leadership 5. Four Functions of Management (Planning, Organizing, Coordinating and Directing) 6. Ethics 7. Organizational Structure 8. Culture
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Research
Students are to use the College’s library resources to conduct thorough research for this
project. Although the internet may be provide data of interest, this is not an internet-based-
search assignment.
Definitions to be used for this Report
• Leadership is the ability of a particular individual to influence a group toward the achievement of goals.
• Management is the act of coordinating the efforts of people to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively.
• Comparison emphasizes the similarities between two things, ideas, concepts, or points of view
• Contrast emphasizes the differences between two things, ideas, concepts, or points of view
How to Start to a Compare and Contrast Report/Essay
Compose your thesis statement. The thesis of your compare and contrast report/essay will
help you create a focused argument and act as a road map for you, and for your reader. Go for
specific and detailed, over vague and general. Your thesis should note the key similarities and
differences of both subjects.
How to Write a Comparison/Contrast Report/Essay
The items should make sense to compare and/or contrast. For example, if you are to compare
baseball teams, do not compare football teams and baseball teams. As you discuss your items,
keep in mind that you will not merely be describing the things you are writing about – you will
be emphasizing the ways they are different or alike. For instance, how does a math teacher you
have in college differ from one you had in high school? How is your job as a salesperson similar
to a job you had as a receptionist last summer?
The introduction provides the reason for the comparison and/or contrast; for example to
determine which is the more or less desirable of the items. The thesis statement should clearly
present the items to be compared or contrasted (the subject) and the criteria for the
comparison or contrast (the main points).
The main points must be grammatically parallel. The main points must apply equally to all
items. For example, if you are comparing typewriters to word processors, the categories of
screen size or colour may not apply; however, corrections or keyboards may apply.
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Expected Compliance Requirements
• This report should comply with the formal case report requirements (i.e. title page, executive summary, table of contents, subtitles, correct grammatically, no plagiarism,
APA style
• The report should be written in a professional manner without excessive abbreviations or unexplained jargon. Point form may be used.
• It is expected that you will cite both ideas and direct quotes you have obtained from other sources. Failure to do so will be considered to be plagiarism
• It is required that each student complete and submit the Peer Evaluation Form for each of their group members. Each member is to hand-in their completed Peer Evaluation in
class November 2, 2018. Grades will not be published until all completed forms for your
group have been submitted.
Turnitin is a requirement. Declining to use Turnitin could result in a zero grade.
In order to receive a first class grade, student(s) must submit a report that is well organized,
well written, accurate, and complete in its analysis. Clarity and conciseness are important. First
class reports will contain no grammatical errors, no spelling errors, and no uncorrected typing
errors.
Format Requirements
The proper report format for the Group Project must have the following sections in this order:
1. Title page 2. Table of Contents page 3. Executive Summary 4. Background 5. Thesis Statement 6. Analysis – Contrast and Comparison 7. Personal Reflections 8. Summary 9. References 10. Appendix (Optional)
Write in APA Style, including a Cover/Title page, 10 – 12 pages (excluding title & contents pages,
references and appendices), 12 font, doubled-spaced use, headings and numbered pages. The
report is to be submitted as a Word format into the eConestoga Assignment Folder system.
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Structure of the Written Report
The report is to follow proper case format. It is essential not just from the perspective of
handing in a written report, but also, from the perspective of thinking through the project – it
provides a structured, logical process to your analysis.
The report will have the following sections in this order:
Title Page – name(s), student number, course name/# and name of your company
Declaration Statement of own work – signed & dated (cut & paste from example given and
place on the bottom of your title page):
This report contains my/our own work and has not been submitted, in whole or in part,
towards fulfilling requirements in any other course, either at Conestoga College ITAL or
elsewhere. I/We understand that plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, will be
dealt with in accordance with college policy and practice.
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
Contents Page
Organize information into logical sections and generate a series of headings and subheadings
Executive Summary
• You need to summarize the report that follows – its key points – in one page or less. Be clear and concise. NOT TO BE MORE THAN ONE PAGE IN LENGTH.
Background
• Provides the reasoning for the comparison or contrast
Thesis Statement
• The thesis statement should clearly present the items to be compared and/or contrasted (the subject) and the criteria for the comparison and/or contrast (the main
points)
• Captures your position on the main point, main idea, or central message
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Analysis – Contrast and Comparison
Analysis of the three organizations in terms the management and leadership styles, processes,
and methods using the following eight concepts:
1. Vision 2. Mission 3. Strategy 4. Leadership 5. Four Functions of Management (Planning, Organizing, Coordinating and Directing) 6. Ethics 7. Organizational Structure 8. Culture
Each of the concepts noted above are to be a Heading. For example, “Vision” is the heading for
vision, “Mission” is the heading for mission, etc.
Personal Reflections
• Any personal reflections, comments, recommendations, etc. you may have about the organizations
Summary
• Brief summary of the findings of your report (two paragraphs)
References
• Cite ideas and direct quotes you have obtained from other sources
Appendix
• Example, corporate information, etc.
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GROUP PROJECT GRADING RUBRIC
Reports will be graded using the following criteria:
[Grade out of 100 = %age = Grade out of /15]
Marking
Scheme
Criteria
/10 Proper format was followed (10 -12 double-spaced pages) /6
Title page /2
Contents page /2
All pages numbered /2
/10 One page Executive Summary (Not more than one page in length)
− includes basic company info for each organization /6
− includes thesis statement /2
− includes concepts to be used in analysis /2
/10 Background – Brief description of management and leadership
styles/approaches by the three organizations using concepts and/or theories
from the course /10)
/5 Thesis Statement – Captured your position on the main point, main idea, or
central message – one sentence in length
/40 Analysis – Contrast and Compare – compared and contrasted the management
and leadership styles, processes, and methods of the three companies using:
1. Vision –described the four themes of a good vision /5 2. Mission –described the four essential questions of a good mission
statement /5
3. Strategy –described the three central themes of strategy /5 4. Leadership –described perspective(s) of leadership /5 5. Ethics – described the code of most principles and values that governs
the behaviour of a person or group with respect to what is right and
wrong /5
6. Organizational Structure – described grouping of people and tasks into different units to boost coordination of communication, decisions, and
actions /5
7. Culture – described set of key values, assumptions, understandings, and norms /5
8. Four Functions of Management -Planning, Organizing, Coordinating and Directing /5
/5 Personal Reflection:
Based on above analysis. Include your rational and justification
/10 Summary
Brief summary of the findings of your report (two paragraphs)
/10 Punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, spelling, etc.