Final Organizational Communication Application Paper
The purpose of this paper (5-8 pages) is to consider the diverse theories and processes learned during the course and describe how these ideas can apply to and help improve professional contexts. In addition, this paper gives you an opportunity to reflect on your own professional competitive advantage, and how the course material will be useful and helpful to you now and in the future.
There are three parts to the paper:
Part One: Description of organizational environment
Identify and describe a specific organizational environment and some particular concerning issues that could be addressed through the practical application of organizational communication theories and concepts. This could be a place where you work now, or where you have worked in the past. It could be a nonprofit where you have volunteered or an organization where a close family member or friend works. Whatever environment you describe, you should be familiar enough with it so that you can discuss it in detail and link it to specific organizational communication ideas in the second part of the paper. In your description consider the following: What is the name of the organization? What is their purpose/mission? What is their history? How many people are employed and/or volunteer there? What has been your role in this organization? Most importantly, clearly describe the communication issues of concern or aspects to the way this organization functions that could use improving.
Part Two: Application of organizational theories and concepts
Identify the chapters that you feel would have the strongest practical application in your identified organization/workplace. You must select at least two chapters from the approaches (chapters 2 6) and at least one chapter from the processes (chapters 7 13). You are encouraged to select more, but three chapters is the minimum.
For each chapter you chose, discuss and apply those ideas to this organizational environment and the issues of concern described in part one. In your application and analysis, be sure to provide specific examples. While it is fine to point out some of the strengths of the organization, the paper should mainly focus on improving the environment. What are the concerning issues in this organizational context and how can they be better understood through the application of organizational theories and concepts? What practical suggestions, based on course content, can you offer? Overall, how can your identified organizational environment benefit from better understanding and application of Organizational Communication theories/concepts?
Part Three: Professional Competitive Advantage
Now that you have a good understanding of course content, and how it can be practically applied to the work environment, describe how the material covered in this course might help you become a more competitive professional. Provide 2-3 specific examples directly related to how you can apply the knowledge learned in class to your current and/or future professional life.
Grading Criteria:
Paper is completed according to the guidelines given above.
Paper is well organized and all sections of the paper are complete.
Paper is clear, concise, thorough and thoughtful.
Paper demonstrates high levels of thinking (analysis is insightful; a variety of course/text concepts are clearly applied to the organizational environment)
Good reasons and arguments are presented throughout the paper.
Writing is strong, and free of significant spelling, punctuation and mechanical errors; overall, the paper displays college level writing.
Specific material from the text is cited properly. Outside sources, if used, are also cited in the text of the paper. Include a reference or works cited page if using outside sources. Citations and references conform to APA or MLA style.
PDF version of book included in files. Only need to use the book for sources
