This library research guide provides you with resources for your MGT 3332 - Operations Management course assignment. In addition to a number of library electronic resources, you will also find here a number of legitimate and reliable web resources that you could use for your project.
The content in this LibGuide will help you learn how to:
- Start your research for legitimate sources using the library discovery system called LibSearch
- Locate electronic books on Operations Management topics.
- Search library business databases to find journal, magazine and newspaper articles for your project.
- Explain how to search library databases to find scholarly journals.
- Find additional business-related resources.
Term Paper Requirements (for Prof. Giglio's class)
The term paper is a comprehensive semester-long project. Students will complete this project in the steps described below. Your final paper is your major contribution, where you will exhibit your learning. Students will individually select an organization, assess its managerial effectiveness, and make recommendations to improve its operations management plans and results through the approaches, principles, and methods learned in the class. You are free to choose an organization that you are familiar with, including an organization you have already started or worked for, or you may also choose a fictitious organization that you want to start sometime in the future.
This project will incorporate important concepts and frameworks introduced throughout the course and will demonstrate the student’s ability to understand and properly apply these concepts to real-life contexts.
Parameters and guidelines for the term paper are as follows:
- Select an organization, e.g., a corporation, company, firm, or association (ideally, an organization that you have some interest in starting or running) for an in-depth analysis of their operations management practices.
- The term paper should be at least 1,500 words with at least 3 scholarly references in addition to your e-text for a minimum of 4 total references. Please keep in mind that the word count requirements point out the minimum amount of effort that should be put into the paper. Word count isn't everything because the quality of writing and research matters as well, but it is an indication of the quantity of effort put into the assignment. Note that word count does not include title, abstract, or reference pages. Not following this requirement will significantly impact the grade.
- Use scholarly peer-reviewed references rather than websites. Scholarly references are generally more credible and make a more persuasive argument. Non-academic websites are not typically recommended for academic writing. While most of the information generally is correct, it is not always reliable because anyone can change the content, bias is often present, and it is not peer-reviewed. For example, it's best not to use news websites, Wikipedia, investopedia.com, about.com, smallbusiness.chron.com, huffingtonpost.com, ehow.com, forbes.com, cnn.com, online encyclopedias, or similar non-academic websites. Articles on these types of websites are written by reporters or individuals who may or may not be experts in the field, and consequently may have incorrect or biased information. Instead, it adds much more credibility to using the class e-text, other related textbooks, and peer-reviewed articles, i.e., scholars have analyzed and evaluated the content for accuracy, quality, and reliability. Be sure to use the university library to help you find these types of scholarly references. The library has a setting in database searches that allow you to search for peer-reviewed articles only.
- It is acceptable to use a company website for research, say for example if you are researching Apple, it's ok to use www.apple.com to describe their mission, strategy, financials, etc.
- The Term Paper should be well organized and encompass the above subject and content guidelines, and an electronic copy of the project should be submitted via Turnitin.
The Term Paper content will consist of five major sections:
- Background and Context: Discuss the type of industry, products/services, and how organizational vision and strategies have influenced their operations management.
- Analysis of current operations management practices and organizational culture.
- Analysis of key terms and principles learned in class and how they relate to the status and future goals of the company.
- Your recommendations for the next 1-2 years of the company regarding operations management. Ensure that these align with the organization’s vision and values.
- References – Use at least 3 scholarly references in addition to your e-text for a minimum of 4 total references.
The Term Paper will be worth 25% of the Final Grade and have the following components, with corresponding percentages of the written report grade:
Week 5 - Company Selection & Summary 20%
Week 13 – Final Term Paper 80%
