Question Module 2 – Background Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP: Time Warp!!

Module 2 – Background

Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP: Time Warp!!

Case 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.

Required Reading:

Download and read this white paper by Falletta about OD models. Salvatore Falletta, President and CEO of Leadersphere, has written a white paper that reviews several commonly used models of organizational diagnosis. You will use several of these models in conducting your integrative Case project. The relevant part of this paper in terms of this class is the first 31 pages. The last part of the paper (pp. 32-43) deals with the theoretical foundations of the Burke & Litwin model, Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model; this is optional reading. We are not covering Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model.

Falletta, S. V. (2005) Organizational Diagnostic Models: A Review and Synthesis. Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://www.leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf

Falletta provides an overview of Open Systems Theory (OST) in his paper (pp. 8 & 9). Keep in mind that OST is not an OD model, but rather a basis for most of the later models. For a deeper understanding, go to the following optional reading and read about systems, systems thinking, and organizations as open systems. You will see that businesses are not unlike living organisms: they depend on the environment for sustenance; they comprise multiple, mutually dependent parts; and they affect the environment in the course of their daily activities. Open Systems Theory provides valuable insights into organizations.

Optional Reading

National Defense University, Systems Thinking and Learning Organizations,Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html

There are no reading assignments for the SLP.

However, if you need a refresher on various theories (product life cycle, pricing, price elasticity, market saturation, product development, etc.) there are a multitude of articles on the Internet.

Optional Review Materials

Once again, a small sample of Internet materials that may help you throughout the course can be accessed by clicking here, and can serve as a complement to previous course materials. You are encouraged to supplement this list if you need additional refreshers.

Module 2 – Case

Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP: Time Warp!!

BACKGROUND:

XCG

The Excellent Consulting Group

Communication from Art:

Thank you for your report on the strategy analysis of Whole Foods Market. Now, we need to move ahead to the next part of this project.

ABC Company and Whole Foods Market have decided they want to do an Organizational Diagnosis to determine how various aspects of Whole Foods Market are aligned, such as inputs, resources, productivity, throughput effort, outputs, performance, strategy, etc. They want to know if there are any significant issues at Whole Foods Market and how these issues might affect its integration into ABC Company.

REQUIRED READING:

Download and read this white paper by Falletta about OD models. Salvatore Falletta, President and CEO of Leadersphere, has written a white paper that reviews several commonly used models of organizational diagnosis. You will use several of these models in conducting your integrative Case project. The relevant part of this paper in terms of this class is the first 31 pages. The last part of the paper (pp. 32-43) deals with the theoretical foundations of the Burke & Litwin model, Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model; reading that is optional. We are not covering Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model.

Falletta, S. V. (2005) Organizational Diagnostic Models: A Review and Synthesis. Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://www.leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf

Falletta provides an overview of Open Systems Theory (OST) in his paper (pp. 8 & 9). Keep in mind that OST is not an OD model, but rather a basis for most of the later models. For a deeper understanding, go to the following optional reading and read about systems, systems thinking, and organizations as open systems. You will see that businesses are not unlike living organisms:they depend on the environment for sustenance; they comprise multiple, mutually dependent parts; and they affect the environment in the course of their daily activities. Open Systems Theory provides valuable insights into organizations.

Optional Reading

National Defense University, Systems Thinking and Learning Organizations,Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html

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. To review Case Analysis and Toulmin’s Argument Methodology, go to Making a Case page.

CASE 2 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 Mark

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