Essay ORG 827 Strategic Decision Making GCU

Essay ORG 827 Strategic Decision Making GCU

ORG 827 Strategic Decision Making GCU

ORG 827 Full Course Discussions GCU

ORG 827 Topic 1 DQ 1

Porter (1996) argued, “Competitive strategy is about being different. It means deliberately choosing a different set of activities to deliver a unique mix of value. But the essence of strategy is in the activities – choosing to perform activities differently or to perform different activities than rivals. Otherwise, a strategy is nothing more than a marketing slogan that will not withstand competition.” Does this 20+ year-old concept offer an effective understanding of the relationship between strategy and decision making in today’s organizations? Why or why not?

ORG 827 Topic 1 DQ 2

Consider Powell’s (2017) diligence-based strategy, Kim and Mauborgne’s (2005) blue ocean strategy, and Porter’s (1996, 2008) strategy theory. Which do you believe is the more effective to achieve competitive advantage in organizations today? Why?

ORG 827 Topic 2 DQ 1

Leading in complex organizational environments is a challenging endeavor that can sometimes cause a freezing of action and decision making. In systems thinking, leader decisions can have ramifications well beyond what is evident or obvious. So, while getting to a decision as quickly as practicable is very important for leaders, these decisions must also be of high quality and consider downstream effects. How do leaders balance timeliness and quality of decisions? What are the most significant considerations for leaders when trying to synthesize the available information sufficiently to make a timely, effective decision? Why?

ORG 827 Topic 2 DQ 2

Trust and leadership styles may affect productivity by encouraging or discouraging positive relationships. Do you believe trust or leadership style has the greater influence on relationships? Support your position.

ORG 827 Topic 3 DQ 1

What is the most significant way vision guides the strategy of the organization to achieve and retain competitive advantage?

ORG 827 Topic 3 DQ 2

The mission, vision, and values of an organization are often considered its “core.” Which of these is the most important to an organization’s success? Why?

ORG 827 Topic 4 DQ 1

Transparency is a key component of ethical decision making. How transparent should leaders be in the decision-making process? Support your position.

ORG 827 Topic 4 DQ 2

Can spirituality have a negative effect on the decision-making process? Defend your position.

ORG 827 Topic 5 DQ 1

To what extent, if at all, should leaders delegate decision making authority? Support your position with both research and specific examples.

ORG 827 Topic 5 DQ 2

Economy (2014) described five levels of delegation; each of which can be an important part of a leader’s delegation strategy. Which of these do you believe would be most effective in helping you as a leader achieve strategic objectives in your organization? Support your position with both research and real-world examples.

ORG 827 Topic 6 DQ 1

Organizational culture has a significant influence on how leaders make decisions. This influence manifests as a variety of voices stemming from a variety of factors including whether the organization is multinational or local, the type of product or service offered by the company, and so forth. How does a leader distinguish between the varied voices of the organizational culture to make and implement decisions in the overall best interest of the organization? Explain.

ORG 827 Topic 6 DQ 2

Many organizations believe to retain competitive advantage they must engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by taking a stance on societal issues that emerge as a result of changing social norms rather than remaining neutral regarding these norms and issues. At times; however, some social norms conflict with the core values of an organization. In these instances, should decision makers align decisions to current social norms and societal issues or with the core values and strategic approach of the organization? Support position.

ORG 827 Topic 7 DQ 1

Some assert it is imperative for leaders to be bold when making strategic decisions. How does a leader determine how much risk is acceptable when making a decision? Explain.

ORG 827 Topic 7 DQ 2

Risk taking must be tempered with judgement in decision making. However, Kelman, Sanders, and Pandit discussed how risk-averse behaviors slow and hinder organizational progress and describe why so-called “paralysis by analysis” may be a more significant concern than groupthink. At what point should a leader cease gathering data, take the risk, and simply make the decision? Support your position.

ORG 827 Topic 8 DQ 1

What do you see as the two most important current trends/issues being discussed in the current scholarly literature regarding strategic decision making? Why are these important to organizational leaders? How should organizational leaders respond to these trends/issues? Support your view.

ORG 827 Topic 8 DQ 2

As you reflect on this course, how will your interactions with the course material, assignments, and discussions influence your decision making practice as an organizational leader? Explain. How will these interactions influence your dissertation research? Explain.

ORG 827 Full Course Assignments GCU

ORG 827 Topic 2 Benchmark – Leading Strategic Decision Making

Leaders hold an important role in ensuring organizations move forward to attain strategic objectives. There are many theoretical approaches and strategies leaders can employ to improve the effectiveness of decisions, build relationships with team members, and foster myriad other positive impacts on themselves, their followers, and the organization itself. This assignment will allow you to address the analysis of organizational climate, the selection of a theoretical approach to decision making, the amount and timeliness of data required to implement the approach, and the role the leader plays in implementing that approach from a strategic perspective.

General Requirements:

Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:

• Instructors will be using a grading rubric to grade the assignments. It is recommended that learners review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment in order to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
• Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
• Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for specific guidelines related to doctoral level writing. The Manual contains essential information on manuscript structure and content, clear and concise writing, and academic grammar and usage.
• This assignment requires that at least two additional scholarly research sources related to this topic, and at least one in-text citation from each source be included.
• You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance

Directions:

Write a paper (1,250-1,500 words) discussing the selection of a theoretical approach to decision making, the amount and timeliness of data required to implement the approach, and the role the leader plays in implementing that approach from a strategic perspective. Include the following:

1. A research-based discussion of how to analyze the social, cultural, and political conditions and trends in an organization in order to make a reasoned selection of a theoretical approach to decision making. (Benchmarks C6.2: Identify and analyze prevailing social, cultural, and political conditions and trends within organizations.)
2. A research-based description of and rational for a preferred theoretical approach to decision making in an organization. (Benchmarks C6.3: Assess behavioral theories and their application to organizational development.)
3. A research-supported discussion of the balance a leader must attain between timeliness of the decision and the amount of information needed to assure the quality of the decision.
4. An analysis of the role of the leader in strategically implementing the approach described above within an organization.

ORG 827 Topic 5 Advancing Scientific Knowledge and Significance of the Study

The purpose of this assignment is to keep the doctoral learner focused on dissertation success. The Advancing Scientific Knowledge and Significance of the Study section of the dissertation identifies the “gap” or “need” in the literature that was used to define the problem statement and develop the research questions. Further, it describes how the study will address the “gap” or “identified need.” The section describes how the research fits with and will contribute to or advance the current literature or body of research. Although this advancement may be a small step forward in a line of current research, it must add to the current body of knowledge and align to the learner’s program of study.

General Requirements: Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:

• Refer to the potential research design you drafted as an assignment in a previous course.
• Retain this paper for reference in future courses.
• Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
• Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for specific guidelines related to doctoral level writing. The Manual contains essential information on manuscript structure and content, clear and concise writing, and academic grammar and usage.
• This assignment requires that at least two additional scholarly research sources related to this topic, and at least one in-text citation from each source be included.
• You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Directions:

Write a report (500-750 words) in which you:

1. Identify the “gap” or “need” in the literature that was used to define the problem statement and develop the research questions.
2. Describe how your study will fit with and contribute to or advance the current literature or body of research.

ORG 827 Topic 7 Benchmark – The Value of Taking Risks

Leaders often operate in risk-averse environments, modeling tepid behavior to followers who, in turn, avoid putting any pressure on the system. This mentality destroys creativity and innovation, often resulting in catastrophic failure. However, when well-reasoned, deliberate risk is embraced, organizations can move forward with extraordinary effectiveness. It is a leader’s responsibility to mitigate possible adverse consequences of the risks. In a complex dynamic system, downstream effects can be difficult to determine, but measures must be taken to assess the impacts of decisions. When a concern is identified, corrective action can be taken. Cultural differences can also play a significant role when leaders engage in risk-taking when making strategic decisions. Leaders must be cognizant of how their behavior can impact collocated teams as well as cross-cultural virtual organizations. In this assignment, you will revise your prior work on the theoretical approach to leadership and explore the leader’s role in taking risks when making strategic decisions, evaluating risk mitigation strategies, evaluating organizational structures, and managing risk in collocated and virtual global environments.

General Requirements:

• Refer to your submission for the Topic 2 assignment, “Benchmark – Leading Strategic Decision Making.”
• This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
• Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
• Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for specific guidelines related to doctoral-level writing. The manual contains essential information on manuscript structure and content, clear and concise writing, and academic grammar and usage.
• This assignment requires that at least two additional scholarly research sources related to this topic, and at least one in-text citation from each source be included.
• You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Directions:

Part 1

Present a revised version (1,500-1,800 words total) of the paper “Benchmark – Leading Strategic Decision Making” that makes improvements in the caliber of the writing and incorporates instructor feedback regarding content and writing. Include the following in your submission:

1. A reflection (250-300 words) that provides a bulleted list of the changes you made to the paper and discusses your revision process including how you incorporated your instructor’s feedback into the revised version. Similar to an abstract, this section will receive its own page following the title page and preceding the introduction to the paper.
2. The revised paper that incorporates instructor feedback; clarifies the thesis statement and solidifies supporting arguments; edits for grammar, spelling, and punctuation; adjusts word choice to display professional and scholarly language; and adjusts sentence structure for improved readability.

Part 2

Write an additional 1,250-1,500 words discussing the leader’s role in taking risks when making strategic decisions, evaluating risk mitigation strategies, evaluating organizational structures, and managing risk in both collocated and virtual global environments. This section should flow naturally from the revised paper. So, you may also need to revise your introduction and thesis statement to allow the papers to connect. Include the following:

1. A research-based explanation of why it is important for leaders to take risks when making strategic decisions.
2. A research-based evaluation of risk mitigation strategies. Which strategies most probably reduce the likelihood of adverse effects of the decisions?
3. A research-based discussion of the organizational structures most conducive to risk-taking. Why are some organizational structures better than others for encouraging risk-taking? (Benchmarks C6.1: Evaluate organizational structures and determine the feasibility of each.)
4. A description of at least two differences in risk-taking when making decisions in collocated versus cross-cultural virtual organizations.