In the Module 4 SLP, you will write a 3- to 4-page paper in which you will apply the Symbolic Frame to the organization in which you are currently employed (or in which you have worked previously).

Assignment

The Module 4 SLP requires that you write a 3- to 4-page paper, in which you address the following:

After giving a brief description of the organization in which you presently work – or in which you have previously worked – apply the Symbolic Frame to the organization, analyzing the ways in which two or three symbolic characteristics you have identified provide meaning for your organization’s members.

Background Information:

In Module 4, you will write the final chapter (Chapter 4) of your 25+ page session-ending thesis-style paper. Following are instructions for proper formatting of the final paper:

• Use of proper APA Style of formatting, referencing, and writing is required.
• The final thesis-style paper requires the following: Title Page, Table of Contents, and References.
• The final paper will consist of four (4) chapters (Module 1-4 Case).
• The body of the final paper must be a minimum of 25 pages in length (not including title page, table of contents, end references, end tables, end figures, or appendices included with the paper).

Bolman and Deal (2003) liken the organization to a metaphorical “temple”– i.e., to a place in which certain things are revered by its members: “An organization, like a temple, can be seen as a sacred place, an expression of human aspirations, a monument to faith in human possibility. A temple is a gathering place for a community of people with shared traditions, values, and beliefs” (p. 405). Similar to temples, organizations need leaders who understand symbols, and their import for the creation of meaning, and for guiding the organization.

Read the following excerpt from Bolman, L.G. & Deal, T.E. (2003). Reframing organizations: artistry, choice, and leadership (3^rd ed.). San Francisco: John Wiley. Note the assumptions of the Symbolic Frame, as you will use these to guide the writing of your Case:

Assumptions of the Symbolic Frame

“The symbolic frame distills ideas from these diverse sources into several core assumptions:

• What is most important is not what happens but what it means.
• Activity and meaning are loosely coupled; events have multiple meanings because people interpret experience differently.
• In the face of widespread uncertainty and ambiguity, people create symbols to resolve confusion, increase predictability, find direction, and anchor hope and faith.
• Many events and processes are more important for what is expressed than what is produced. They form a cultural tapestry of secular myths, heroes and heroines, rituals, ceremonies, and stories that help people find purpose and passion in their personal and work lives.
• Culture is the glue that holds an organization together and unites people around shared values and beliefs.

The symbolic frame sees life as more serendipitous than linear. Organizations function like complex, constantly changing, organic pinball machines. Decisions, actors, plans, and issues continuously carom through an elastic, ever-changing labyrinth of cushions, barriers, and traps. Managers who turn to Peter Drucker’s Effective Executive for guidance might do better to study Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. But all the apparent chaos has a deeper sense of emblematic order. In recent years, the importance of symbols in corporate life has become more widely appreciated.

Symbols embody and express an organization’s culture: the interwoven pattern of beliefs, values, practices, and artifacts that defines for members who they are and how they are to do things….the various forms symbols assume: myths, visions and values; heroes and heroines; stories and fairy tales; ritual; ceremony; and metaphor, humor, and play. All these are basic elements of organizational culture” (Bolman & Deal, 2003, p. 242-3).

Required readings

The following presentation by Westbrooks is an excellent overview of the Symbolic Frame:

Westbrooks, E. (2012). Reframing organizations: The symbolic frame. Prezi. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/qae4pi43dsor/reframing-organizat…

In this presentation, Dr. Jacobs provides a comprehensive overview of the Symbolic Frame:

Jacobs, R.M. (n.d.). Theories of practice: The symbolic frame. Villanova University. Retrieved on May 8, 2014 from http://www83.homepage.villanova.edu/richard.jacobs/MPA%208002/Powerpoint/8002%20MPA/symbolic.ppt

Finally, Hogan’s presentation is a very good overview of culture and symbols – i.e., the Symbolic Frame:

Hogan, R. L. (n.d). Chapter 12: Organizational culture and symbols. Eastern Illinois University. Retrieved from www.leebolman.com/Reframing_4th_Powerpoint/Chap%20…

Optional readings

Notice how this early article by Bolman and Deal points out the difference between “magic” and “might” – of course, both of these concepts now underpin the Four Frames Model:

Bolman, L.G., & Deal, T.E. (1996). Might and magic. Leadership Excellence, 23(6), 15. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Wizards and Warriors in organizations? From the authors of the Four Frames Model, here is a more recent (and quite excellent) discussion of the Symbolic and Political Frames:

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2009). Battles and beliefs: Rethinking the roles of today’s leaders. Leadership In Action, 29(5), 14-18. Retrieved from EBSCO – Business Source Complete.

Final Project Management Plan

Assignment
Instructions:

I only need you to finish one part. The part I need finished is the budget. The budget is already completed, I just need you to make sure it is correct and make sure all the figures and information matches up. Basically, I need it finalized. Please make any necessary changes.

Prepare a final Project Plan by reviewing and revising the preliminary project plan for the Learning Team's selected project.

Use the requirements defined for the Preliminary Project Plan completed in Week 2.

Summarize the milestones and tasks that must be accomplished to achieve the project goals. Include a discussion of the critical path.

Use Microsoft® Project to develop a high-level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) detailing tasks, dependencies, resources, and the critical path.

Include the Microsoft® Project Gantt chart, the network diagram, and a resource list as an attachment to the Project Plan. Also, include a copy of the budget, which may be done in either Microsoft® Excel or Microsoft® Project.

Format your Project Plan using Microsoft® Project.

Additional
Requirements:

• Complete the
  assignment using your own words with correct spelling, punctuation, and
  grammar in APA format.  No plagiarism.
• If you are not
  using your own words or if you are quoting any information or definitions,
  make sure to cite the information by using proper APA format citations and
  don’t forget to include the source of the information as a reference on
  the references page by using proper APA format.
• Read and use the
  attached PDF, Word, and/or Power Point document(s) that are attached to
  this question in order to understand the necessary information in order
  for you to be able to complete the assignment accurately and completely.
• Read and use any other files that are attached
  to this question in order for you to be able to complete the assignment
  accurately and completely, if applicable.  Do not forget to include
  any other attachments as references and to use citations from them, if
  applicable.

1. This is a novel about a place. It’s even named for it. In a way, Cannery Row is a character all on its own. Think about all the different ways John Steinbeck characterizes Cannery Row in the intro and chapters 1-4. Note 3 specific passages that you feel introduce either Cannery Row, or a specific setting within Cannery Row, particularly well. Talk about each passage individually, and why it illustrates a strong introduction and/or description of Cannery Row. What kinds of descriptions does Steinbeck use in each passage, and what messages does each passage send about Cannery Row?

(Think of this question as preliminary research: Soon, you’ll be writing your own introduction and description of a particular place.)

Assignment: Application: Critiques of Democracy

Note: This Assignment is due by Day 3, prior to the Discussion.

The United States often is singled out as a shining example of democratic governance; however, the U.S. system of governance is not immune to criticism. Scholars from the right and the left point out flaws in the U.S. system from its founding to its present state. An interesting feature of democratic governance is that loyal opposition and dissent are built into the system. Some democracies, including the United States, have benefited greatly from those who criticized the status quo. Not everyone who criticizes aspects of a democratic system is a detractor. On the other hand, not all criticisms are valid. In fact, some criticisms may be destructive or easily refuted. One asset of democratic systems is the ability to improve and reform successfully when faced with a legitimate criticism. Evaluating which criticisms provide an adequate justification for reform is a more difficult task.

To prepare for this Assignment:

• Review the article “Democracy, Nationalism and Culture: A Social Critique of Liberal Monoculturalism” in this week’s Learning Resources. Take note of critiques of democracy in the article.
• Review the articles “Plato’s Criticisms of Democracy in the Republic” and “Is Democracy Possible?” in this week’s Learning Resources. Pay particular attention to dissenting arguments about democracy.
• Think about why critiques of democracy might be an important element of democratic governance.
• Reflect on the role of critiques of democracy in reforming and improving democratic governance.
• Using the knowledge you have gained from this course, the Learning Resources for this week, and/or your own research on democracy, select two critiques of democracy for this Assignment.
• Consider (as they relate to governance and public policy) the validity of the critiques, their constructive or destructive nature, and how they might be rebutted.

The Assignment (3–5 pages):

• Briefly describe the two critiques of democracy that you selected.
• Evaluate them as follows (as they relate to governance and public policy):
  • Explain why and how the critiques might be valid and constructive.
  • Explain why and how the critiques might be invalid and destructive.
  • Explain how you might refute or support these critiques.
• Share insights and/or draw conclusions based on your evaluation of critiques of democracy.

Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.

By Day 3

Submit your Assignment.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

• Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK10Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
• Click the Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
• Click the Week 10 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
• Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK10Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
• If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
• Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.

Part A:

Identify the Six Capitals of Integrated Reporting and discuss their impact on financial health and strength. Why are they not part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, GAAP, and examine the reasons for their increasing importance in a post-industrial age.

Part B:

Examine and analyze the Six Capitals in relation to the financial health and strength of a firm of your choice. Address specifically the impact of ‘I.C.’ on Book vs. Market valuation. Compare, contrast the efficacy of Integrated Reporting to capture the dynamics of market forces such as sales mix, share of wallet, heavy-half mix, life cycle, market share with that of traditional GAAP measures. What projections are forecasts do you see for this firm based on your analysis of ‘I.C.’ that traditional GAAP fails to address? Recommended length: 5-7 pages.