Term Paper Options (PDF)

The term paper is an opportunity for you to explore one area in more detail. Any one of the options listed above can be chosen for the final project. A proposal (1 page) is due on or before session #16 outlining your project. The proposal will be returned promptly with feedback. The proposal is not a contract and will not be used to assess the final report.

Students are encouraged to choose a topic that will be useful in their jobs or career aspirations. The project term paper (excluding appendices) shall not exceed 2,500 words. Papers marked confidential will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Term papers should be written in a style suitable for submission to boards and senior managers of firms. Students are encouraged to work in pairs. Examples of excellent individual projects completed previously will be placed on the class server.


Contribution to Class Learning

As an integrative course, with case studies and fieldwork, much of the learning is dependent on accessing the combined knowledge and experience of the group. It is everyone's job to keep the discussion productive and moving forward. In class discussions it is equally as important to talk about how to do something as what to do.

Contributions don't all have to be original flashes of insight - but they are very welcome! Class members who summarize, clarify, simplify, or suggest what else needs to be covered can also make a valuable contribution. If you are shy about contributing, prepare well and speak longer when you have the floor. If you are confident about speaking in public, focus on increasing the quality-to-airtime ratio of your contributions. Take some risks, but only after you have done the analysis and assessed the evidence.

In evaluating your contribution to class learning the following are important (Adapted from McQueen). Positive characteristics are:

• Useful ideas, coherently and succinctly expressed
• Good analysis supported by case facts or experience
• Relevance to previous contributions i.e., ability to listen
• Constructive disagreement
• Regard, respect and acknowledgment of other's contributions
• "Show and tell" contributions
• Good questions after group presentations
• Readiness to contribute on receiving a "cold call"
  

Negative contribution characteristics include:

• Arriving late to class
• Lack of involvement-silence, detachment or disinterest
• Leading discussion into unrelated topics
• Spending undue amount of time on minor points
• Long, rambling comments
• Being absent or unprepared
  

If you are concerned about your contribution to class learning please make an appointment to see me.


Group Presentation

Group Tasks (PDF)

The group presentation is a very important part of the class learning. A series of group tasks are provided above. Please read the group tasks and submit your top three preferences. The group deliverable is a 20-minute presentation followed by 15 minutes of questions (35 minute total time limit). The slide set is due for grading three days after the presentation. No report is required.

Group assignments will be assessed for the following:

• Conceptual understanding and insight
• Clarity of argument and expression
• Quality of investigation and basis for conclusions
• Conclusions and/or recommendations
• Persuasiveness and clarity of oral and written presentation
• Effectiveness when answering questions
• Contribution to class learning