Overview
To complete this written examination, you will need to apply a set of chosen concepts to an organization. The organization that you choose could be a real organization (e.g., Microsoft) or a fictional organization (e.g., Dunder Mifflin). Moreover, if you choose to answer these questions about a real organization, you can do so about an organization that you have worked for previously or work for currently (e.g., if you work at a Chick-fil-a, or have worked at one before, you can use these work experiences to answer the questions below). Overall, in completing each of the sections below, you will be providing a detailed description of an organization using concepts that you have learned from this course.
Procedure
Introduction: The Organization
Introduce the purpose of the paper and provide a clear description of the fictional or non-fictional organization that you will be using. This portion doesn’t need to be long. That said, please be sure your description of the organization is thorough enough for your instructor to follow along and understand the examples you’ll provide in the next section. The materials below will be used to provide a detailed description of this organization.
Body: Concepts and Application
From the 7 questions below, you’ll choose 5 and answer them as thoroughly as you can.
You will be graded on the extent to which your descriptions and examples are clear, your applications are accurate, and whether your arguments are cogent.
Again, be sure to provide descriptions, examples, applications (using course material for support), and construct arguments which are thorough and complete.
You will also be graded on writing quality, formatting, and the quality of each written section included in the document. Your paper should conform to the latest version of APA or MLA (see below for resources). There are no page length requirements, however, you are expected to write with the breadth and depth to fully cover each question.
Be sure to correctly cite any material you use to support your points throughout the exam – both in-text and at the end in a fully completed/formatted reference list. List the sources/citations you use at the end of the written portion of the exam. To do so, create and format a proper Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) page. This will be part of the overall exam grade.
After evaluation from your instructor, points will be deducted if any of these elements are lacking.
Exam Questions
Please remember to answer 5 of the 7 questions listed below:
We learned that Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is also about creating and maintaining a healthy relationship with the communities in which the organization is involved. First, using course material, define CSR. Then, consider the activities of your organization. Provide an example of how your organization engages in CSR. Or construct an argument that your organization does not engage in CSR. With either choice, be clear on the differences between your organization’s regular business practices and actual engagement in CSR. Use course material to support your analysis of your organization’s engagement in CSR and how those practices differ from regular business operations.
Stakeholder theory suggests that organizations exist as part of an ecosystem. First, define stakeholder theory. Then, provide examples of the various stakeholders which constitute your organization’s ecosystem. Use course material to define who/what counts as a stakeholder for your organization and to support your analysis of the various stakeholders within the ecosystem. Consider the communication practices your organization utilizes to develop relationships within the ecosystem.
Shareholder Value Theory (SVT) and Enlightened Value Maximization (EVM) have differing outlooks with regard to CSR. First, define both. Then, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches. Then, describe whether or not one of the approaches is used by your organization. If your organization is not using what you consider to be the most effective approach, which approach would you recommend they use? Be sure to use course material and related concepts, for example, Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Social Performance, to support your argument for either approach.
Brewer and Westermann (2018) outline 5 steps organizations should include in developing their crisis communication plan. First, describe a crisis experienced by your organization. That is, what was the exigence it faced? Analyze your organization’s response using Brewer and Westermann’s (2018) 5 step crisis communication plan. What steps in the plan did your organization utilize successfully? What steps in the plan did it skip or fail to do successfully? As you analyze your organization’s response to the crisis be sure to define each step in the plan and provide examples that demonstrate your organization’s successful or unsuccessful handling of the crisis.
Benoit lays out a typology of image restoration strategies (e.g., denial, shifting blame, evasion of responsibility, etc.). First, describe a crisis your organization faced. Then, use Benoit’s typology to analyze how your organization dealt with restoring its image during and/or after experiencing a crisis. To do so, choose 3 of Benoit’s typology (you do not need to cover all the strategies in the typology). Define each strategy. Then provide examples of how your organization enacted the strategy. For each strategy, discuss whether or not you believe the organization made the right choices in communicating their image restoration. Use the Benoit article to define the strategies and provide support for your argument about the organization’s actions.
In the event that your organization failed to use any of the strategies, describe which strategies your organization should have used and why. Again, be sure to identify 3 strategies your organization should have used. Define them and give appropriate examples which support your argument for what they should have done.
Recall a story you’ve heard told in your organization. This can be a repeated mantra or the story of your organization’s beginnings. It can also be messages communicated on the company webpage or on social media. Organizational storytelling can also happen in everyday conversations with employees talking about experiences with customers, dinners with clients, etc. Briefly describe the story. Consider the story from Fisher’s narrative paradigm. Then, describe the story as an enacted dramatic narrative. That is, define enacted dramatic narrative and then discuss how the story constructed meaning for those involved or helped them make sense of events. Consider the concepts of coherence, fidelity, and narrative sense. Remember to use course material to support your analysis.
Recall a story you’ve heard told in your organization during a time of change or crisis. This can be a repeated mantra or the story of your organization’s beginnings. It can also be messages communicated on the company webpage or on social media. Organizational storytelling can also happen in everyday conversations with employees talking about experiences with customers, dinners with clients, etc. Describe how the story helped you and/or your coworkers navigate the organization. This can be understanding the organizational culture or going through a change or crisis. For example, how did people in your network chronicle their experiences of change or crisis through storytelling? Or how did storytelling help you learn the ropes of a new organization and culture? Provide examples of how storytelling helped you and/or your network of coworkers navigate in times of uncertainty. For example, helping with access to resources, providing guidance, establishing relationships, or help with problem-solving. Remember to use appropriate material from the lesson to support your analysis.
Introduction:
The description of the organization is thorough, clear, and appropriate for the exam.
Strength of application and analysis:
Answered the assigned number of questions.
Examples are useful and clearly supported with appropriate material from the lesson and readings.
Written responses contain the breadth and depth to fully cover each question.
Descriptions, examples, applications (of course material), and arguments are thorough and complete.
Delivery:
Paper is formatted correctly – e.g. sentence structure, paragraph breaks, relatively free from errors and typos.
Paper appropriately conforms to the most current version of MLA or APA.
Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) page is correctly attached to the paper and formatted properly.
