Assignment: You will write a 8-10 page (2000-2500 word) research paper for Quenc
Assignment: You will write a 8-10 page (2000-2500 word) research paper for Quenchbliss, addressing the theories of organizational behavior and how they should be combined and utilized in a way that applies to Quenchbliss, given the recent changes and expansion occurring within the organization. Your research paper will include at least one concept, model or theory from each of the topic areas listed below. For each topic, review the tutorials and select a theory or model that seems most appropriate. In your Touchstone, summarize the theory or model and explain how Quenchbliss should apply it to their organization. Directions Step 1: Review tutorials on each of the topics you’ll be writing about Some of the most helpful tutorials are listed below, but you should review all the course material and may use any tutorial to inform your decisions. * Internal and External Environments * Organizational Change * Cultural Differences * Team Development Over Time * Conflict in Organizations * Responding to Conflict * Political Behavior in Organizations Step 2: Draft the Research Paper Prepare a research paper to present to leadership at Quenchbliss. The structure for the research paper will consist of five main topics. For each topic, you will identify a problem or opportunity at Quenchbliss either through the scenario or from your SWOT analysis. For each problem you will propose a solution based on the concepts learned in the tutorials. For the benefit of Quenchbliss executives, summarize the framework, concept or theory from the tutorial (making sure to use in-text citations!), then synthesize and analysis this concept, and how it relates to Quenchbliss, and the change they have decided to undertake. The topics and guiding questions for the research paper are below. Be sure to cover allof these topics in your paper. 1. External Environment * What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats the organization is facing? This should be consistent with the SWOT analysis you wrote for the Touchstone Task in Unit 1. * What model may be applied to better understand these factors? Using the model you’ve chosen, describe how each aspect applies to Quenchbliss. * How can Quenchbliss address the external opportunities and threats you’ve identified? 2. Change Management * What change management model should Quenchbliss use as they enter the new markets? Why is this model the most effective? * This should consistent with your recommendations (and org chart) in the Touchstone in Unit 2. * List each step of the model, and address specific actions the organization should take at each step. 3. Diversity and Cultural differences * What cultural differences should Quenchbliss consider when entering the overseas market? * What specific differences such as minimum wage and vacation time should Quenchbliss consider when entering these two countries? * What strategies might Quenchbliss use to help them ensure diversity throughout their organization? 4. Team Development * Given the addition of new team members, how can the organization apply the team development model in order to move new staff and their teams into the “performing stage” more quickly? * What actions should be taken at each stage of the team development process to ensure effective teamwork? 5. Conflict, Power, and Politics * What strategies might be used to understand and manage conflict at Quenchbliss as it arises? * How might power struggles and organizational politics impact the organization as they make such a large change? * What mitigation techniques can be used to mitigate negative uses of power and politics? Making reasonable assumptions to describe Quenchbliss’ potential challenges is acceptable and necessary. For example, you can assume factors like employment are the same for Quenchbliss as they are for El Paso, or that their product cost is similar to competitors. You must cite 8-10 sources. At least five of these will be the Sophia tutorials which describe the theories and models of organizational behavior you apply to the case study. The rest (three or more) will be resources that inform your SWOT analysis, such as anticipated market growth for the craft soda industry, labor statistics in El Paso and the other locations, etc. While these do not have to be academic journals, you should use reliable sources of information such as reputable business publications. The paper should be in APA format with a title page; proper headings, margins and spacing; and in-text citations and references. Resources and examples are listed under Additional Resources.