Organizational Analysis for Management
Case Study Questions for Analysis and Group Write-ups
These questions are designed to help you think about the case. For the cases that you are
responsible for writing up (specified below), you need to answer each of the questions. Answers
should be well-written: avoid stream of consciousness, use paragraph topic sentences, make a
clear point and integrate the ideas from the reading into your answers. The purpose of reading
these cases and writing your analysis is for you to practice applying the new ideas you are
learning from the readings and class to a situation.
NOTE: All work is expected to be your group’s own work. You do not need to use any
materials other than the ones that have been provided to you in class. DO NOT use any
additional materials from the internet.
Papers should be 5-6 pages long (NO longer), double-spaced, 12-point font and at least .5
margins.
Use to Prepare: The Best-laid Incentive Plans
1. What is the main OB problem in this case (be specific and don’t use jargon)?
2. What specific examples do you have that support your answer to question #1?
3. What were the desired outcomes in each of the examples you cite in question #2?
4. What would be your recommendations for addressing this situation?
WRITE UP DUE: Strike in Space
1. What is the OB problem in this case?
2. Why did the first two Skylab crews follow orders and obey Ground Control?
3. Why did the 3rd Skylab crew follow orders and obey Ground Control for the first six weeks
of its flight?
4. Briefly describe Ground Control’s approach toward the 3rd crew. Why did Ground Control
take this approach? Was this approach justified? Why or why not?
5. Why do you think the strike occurred, and what do you think changed from the first six
weeks to make the astronauts no longer accept control from Houston?
6. What specific actions would you recommend to be taken at the point where the case ends to
resolve the strike and restore the mission?
OB 202
1
3/9/16
WRITE UP DUE: The Overhead Reduction Task Force
1. What is the OB problem in this case?
2. Evaluate the job Dixon did in setting up the task force. What were the strengths and
weaknesses of the group design?
3. Given the nature of this group and their history together, how successful are they likely to be
in working together? What are the main challenges that Larry Williams faces in getting the
group to work together?
4. What should Williams do to prepare for the meeting he is going to have with the division
managers? Be specific.
5. What concrete suggestions would you offer Williams about how to conduct the meeting with
the division managers?
6. What could Dixon have done differently to set up the task force?
WRITE UP DUE: Charlotte Beers at Ogilvy and Mather Worldwide (A & B)
1. What type of leader is Beers? Explain whether these qualities are appropriate for the type of
organizational change she is seeking to accomplish, given the circumstances facing O & M.
2. In terms of the tasks Beers needs to accomplish to initiate and institutionalize change, how is
she doing? What is she doing well? What is she doing poorly?
3. a) State the key challenges facing Beers at the end of the case.
b) Select the one or two most important of these challenges, state the reasons for your choice,
and describe the concrete, specific steps Beers should take now to address them.
Use to Prepare: Culture at the Mayo Clinic
1. Identify the key aspects of the Mayo Clinic’s organizational culture.
2. How is the culture aligned with the organization’s goals?
3. What are the pluses and minuses for Mayo of having such a strong culture? How will Mayo’s
organizational culture help and hinder its ability to change?
OB 202
2
3/9/16