College of
Business
Administration
College of
Business
Administration
on-site MBA Program at
option a: This project shall contain a summary of the student's 'philosophy of management,' with each student required to articulate and defend his/her perspective on the parallel questions of what is the appropriate role for business in society and consequently whose interests you represent as a manager. Reasons for the position taken should rely upon legal, social and moral philosophy-which, it is understood, may give differing prescriptions to the business executive. Attention should be given to consideration of how your view contributes to creation of the 'good society.'
Both the 'fiduciary' and 'stakeholder' frameworks will prove particularly relevant to this assignment. Defense of the position taken, rather than the position itself, is of fundamental importance. It is recognized, however, that certain positions are inherently more 'defensible'; therefore, the choice of relevant organizational constituencies will have a direct impact upon the ease with which this paper is completed. Text documentation (either from assigned texts or 'outside' readings) would be appropriate.
option b: This project shall present a management plan for ensuring ethical behavior within an organization of your choosing. Reasons for the positions taken should rely upon moral, social, legal, and management philosophy. Attention should be given to consideration of how your plan contributes to both the accomplishment of the organizational mission as well as creation of the 'good society.' In order to insure a thorough treatment, it is recommended consideration be given to the various dimensions of a social audit.
Defense of the plan-which is to include a 'code of ethics'-rather than the plan itself, is of fundamental importance. Text documentation (either from assigned texts or 'outside' readings) would be appropriate.
option c: The October 1997 Inc. Magazine cover story What Comes Next? is addressed to those individuals who are "seeking a different kind of business life--one richer in meaning, more grounded, more sustainable." In order to fulfill this quest, author Jim Collins suggests that one examine three things: What you stand for, What you're good at, and What people will pay you for. "Resonance" occurs when one operates at the intersection of these three 'principles.' While Collins outlines this process as one to be applied at the organizational level, it can just as appropriately be applied at the personal/career level. This assignment therefore requires the student to develop a personal mission statement (What you stand for), to articulate individual talents (What you're good at), and to evaluate the job market (What people will pay you for). As a first step toward developing a statement of what you stand for, Collins recommends making two lists: "one for things that I would continue to do if I woke up tomorrow and discovered I had $20 million and 10 years to live, and another for things that under those circumstances I'd stop doing."
So how, you might ask, does this 'assignment' relate to the course content? In outlining your personal mission statement, some support for your 'stand' should be provided. Such support should rely upon legal, social and moral philosophy. Additionally, attention might be given to consideration of how your view contributes to creation of the 'good society.'
Term projects shall be typed using double-spacing. In the case of either paper option there is no page length requirement; however, conciseness will be one of the evaluation criterion. Typed drafts of your term project may be submitted for comment any time prior to the 1st of December. A self-evaluation of this project (form to be distributed under separate cover) is to be submitted along with the final paper draft. Evaluation criteria include:
Adequacy of analysis
Clarity and conciseness of arguments
Use of social theory to support arguments
Professionalism of project
Creativity of project
Self-evaluation
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