Research Paper

Learning Organization Group Research Assignment
Assignment Overview
The project will be a case examination of an organization of your choice. It consists of 3 Parts. Overall, your group will be required to:

Develop a generic checklist of best practices in learning organizations based on text readings/PowerPoints and other sources.
Choose a company for your group to study. The company can be one of your own choosing, but needs to be large enough to research using a variety of sources. Submit your company name to the instructor prior to beginning.
Provide a summary of the organization with a specific focus on the organization’s approach to learning and innovation.
Use the checklist you made in step one to diagnose the learning in your chosen organization, then provide recommendations for improvement.

Part #2 – Organization Research and Report
The objective of this part of the assignment is to research and report on an organization with a specific focus on the organization’s approach to learning and innovation. Your group may choose any organization that is large enough to research using a variety of sources. Please have your organization approved by the instructor before beginning (there have been instances where a group chose an organization for which they could not source sufficient information).
Part 2 Specifics – Research:
Your research should reflect the report requirements listed below. All organization research will be based on secondary sources only (e.g., web sites, annual reports, news stories, print material); students will not be required to enter an organization to collect primary data. A minimum of 5 resources must be used and cited.

Some “guiding questions” to help you with your research may include:
13.
o Is this company the first to come out with new products and services?
o What is the management philosophy at this company?
o How is the organization structured?
o How does this company remain competitive?
Part 2 Specifics – Report:
Your report should include (but is not limited to) the following:

1. A description of the company (maximum length 250 words) including:
o Name and area of operation details. Is this a national or international organization, where is it headquartered and where are locations generally – for example there are 10 locations in North America and 5 new locations in South America (NOT specific addresses)
o A description of what the company does, products and/or services it provides, etc.
o Market/demographic details such as types of areas they operate, who buys their products etc.
2. A description of the company culture
o Should be a minimum of 150 words and should be supported by at least 1 source
3. A description of the organization’s approach to learning and innovation.