Specimen format for note taking. Study on: Absenteeism Nath, E.

(1945) (Topic) Author/Year Problem STT What factors have the greatest influence on absenteeism? Variables Age, education, working conditions, marital status, type of job. Sample 67 mine workers from the XYZ Mine Co., Illinois. Mean age = 35; all males. Data Collection All 67 employees were interviewed by three researchers within a period of 3 months inside the mine. Data Analysis Correlational and multiple-regression analysis used. Results Working conditions influenced absenteeism the mostespecially toxic dust and explosions. None of the other variables was significantly related to absenteeism. Conclusions Chemicals that would absorb the toxic dust and mechanisms for explosion danger warnings should substantially reduce absenteeism. Any Other Info/Comments

Example and Description of a Literature Survey Let us take a portion of a literature review done by a scholar and examine how the activity has helped to (1) introduce the subject of study, (2) identify the research question, and (3) build on previous research to offer the basis to get to the next steps of theoretical framework and hypotheses development. Organization theorists have defined organizational effectiveness(OE) in various ways. OE has been described in terms ofobjectives (Georgopolous&Tannenbaum, 1957), goals (Etzioni, I960), efficiency (Katz & Kahn, 1966),resources acquisition (Yudotman & Seastwre, 1967),employee satisfaction (Cummings,1977 ,and interdependence (Pfeffer, 1977). As Coulter (1979) remarked, there is little consensus on how to conceptualize, measure,o rexplain OE. This should, however, not come to us as a surprise since OE models are essentially value-based classification of the construct (the values being those of the researchers) and the potential number of models that can be generated by researchers is virtually limitless. Researchers are now moving away from a single model and are taking contingency approaches to conceptualizing OE (Cameron, 1981; Yetley 1984). However', they are still limiting themselves to examining the impact of the dominant constituencies served, and the organizations life cycle on OE instead of taking a broader", more dynamic approach (Burke, 1990, p. 25).

Symptom Recognition (Managerial Concerns/Dilemma)

There is a growing discontent among computer programmers in the organization. Turnover has been increasing steadily over the past five years. Employees complain about inequitable salary structure.

Problem Identification
1.

2.

Evaluation of internal and external data a. Monitoring of discontent and turnover information within the organization b. Any history of past discontent c. Literature suggesting similar problems in other computer firms. Isolation of problem area a. Management has no consistent salary allocation plan b. Exit interviews reveal discontent with salary system c. EEO has recently filed a complaint against the firm, alleging salary discrimination.

Managerial Problem Statement

Is the present salary structure equitable?

Research Problem Statement

What are the main factors associated with salary levels for professional in our organization? computer

Examples of Well-Defined Problems 1. To what extent do the structure of the organization and type of information systems installed account for the variance in the perceived effectiveness of managerial decision making? 2. To what extent has the new advertising campaign been successful in creating the high-quality, customer-centered corporate image that it was intended to produce? 3. What is the influence of information on price and quality on consumers' evaluation of competing brands? 4. Does the income statement in the balance sheet elicit the same kinds of reader reactions toward the company as the cash flow statement? 5. Is the effect of participative budgeting on performance moderated by the control systems? 6. Does better automation lead to greater asset investment for dollar of output? 7. Does international expansion result in an increase in the firm's value? 8. What are the effects of downsizing on the long-range growth patterns of companies? 9. Can cultural differences account for the differences in the nature of hierarchical relationships between superiors and subordinates in Germany, India, Japan, Singapore, and the United States? 10. What are the components of "quality of life"?

IN-CLASS EXERCISES ON BROAD PROBLEM AREA AND PROBLEM DEFINITION

Students can be asked to state some broad problem areas and precise problem definitions in the marketing, accounting and finance areas. The following can be used as illustrations of some broad problem areas: MARKETING
1.

The manager of Woodlands Restaurant is concerned about the low customer patronage of his restaurant. Nutrition Headquarters is wondering if health food centers be operated from supermarkets.

2.

CAN
3.

The Dreamland Advertising Agency is wondering why its strategy did not work.

ACCOUNTING 4. Narayan Associates is interested in knowing the implications of high technology in factories, for accounting and auditing procedures and practices.
5. The Rosalin Auditing Company is perturbed about the different

interpretations it is getting from the tax administrators and tax accountants.

FINANCE 6. The board of directors of Jankrish Computers is worried about the stagnation of the market price of the Company's stock. 7. Saratoga Supers are perplexed about the low return on their investment.