This project is a modified version of “field research.” From the list attached, you will select, observe, and record various organizational mechanisms from the text and/or that have been discussed in class. You will assume the role of a consultant and based on your observations, you will indicate in a written report what appears to work well and what recommendations for organizational improvements you would make.
The purpose of the project is to practice your observation skills as well as to increase your awareness of organizational structures.
Organizational structure refers to the system of communication, authority, role differentiation, coordination, work flow, etc. Organizations differ in how they break down (differentiate) their main objective into specific jobs and roles. They also differ in the mechanisms they use to integrate the roles into a completed product.
Much of the differentiation/integration is in plain sight of the customer if that customer is a knowledgeable organizational observer (which you are).
Some suggestions include, but are not limited to the fast-food restaurants listed below:
- Arby’s
- McDonald’s
- Bionic Burger
- Subway
- Taco Bell/Tico/Shop/Grande/etc.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken
- Hu Hot
- Chick-Fil-A
*Other establishments may be selected with the approval of the instructor.
You do not need to interview anyone. In fact, the paper and presentation should be based only on what you can observe. The advantage to observing the fast-food establishments is that their operations are fairly visible (also, you can hang around without getting booted out!)
This is not a difficult project, but you should give yourself plenty of time by doing it a piece at a time rather than to do it all at once just before the due date.
Instructions for Field Research: You are to observe four (4) aspects of the organization’s structure:
1. Role differentiation. An organization divides its tasks into jobs or roles. What are the main roles that you observe in the restaurant? Does one person have just one role or do people move through different roles? Describe.
2. Coordination mechanisms. The various tasks at a restaurant must be coordinated or there will be chaos. A key coordination mechanism in most organizations, for example, is to create the job of supervisor to direct the work of others. Describe the mechanisms used to coordinate tasks at the fast-food restaurant.
3. Technology. Every organization uses tools, equipment, and standard procedures to perform its key tasks. Describe some of the main technology at the restaurant and explain how the technology helps to control human behavior.
4. Stakeholders. Stakeholders are people who have a stake in what happens at the restaurant. There are at least three general groups of stakeholders you could see at a fast-food restaurant – customers, workers, and managers. Do a brief stakeholder analysis of the short-term and long-term goals of the key stakeholders of the restaurant.
Instructions for Final Paper:
Papers are to be 4 – 6 pages in length, double spaced and aligned with the typical conventions of writing (correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.) It is the quality of the project rather than the length of the paper that determines your grade. The paper will be graded with a scoring rubric that contains the components of the assignment as well as the writing elements of composition, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. APA formatting is required for this paper. If you have questions, please contact me.
Base your paper on what you observe and what you infer from your observations, not on what you think you already know about McDonald’s or other fast-food restaurants. Though you may have been there many times before, you must actually visit the restaurant for the sole purpose of this assignment. Always substantiate your conclusions and inferences with actual observations you have made (e. g., “It appears that the workers enjoy their jobs less than the managers because the managers interacted more positively with customers.”)
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