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MGMT630 University of Maryland Amazon Case Analysis

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GUIDE for Midterm OPTION:  Amazon as a Case Study on Culture and Leadership Ethics
Amazon has become one of the most watched companies of the time.   It is a tech-centric company, a sector that is highly admired in the US economy. But also Amazon’s work culture and it employment practices are intent on seeing how far white-collar workers will use their ambition, or drive for success.  This case study will examine

  • Amazon’s culture—should it be a model?
  • Leadership of Jeff Bezos
  • Ethics of Amazon’s desire to sell consumers “everything”.

See attached files of relevant materials about Amazon. Read the materials. Use additional resource information as you are interested and have time.
Then analyze using the list of factors identified in the Evaluation/Grading Rubric section.
 
The paper will likely be 8 –plus pages (not including cover and reference list). 
Several files of source materials must be read. See lists below, then locate attached files found within the “midterm” link, assignments on course website.
Preparation—reading and viewing source materials will probably take 3-4 hours.  The prep time is comparable to organizing/gathering survey responses for the leadership profile option/midterm.
Below is a set of links that compare Amazon to other businesses. 
http://fortune.com/fortune500/amazon-com/  “ is #18”
http://fortune.com/worlds-most-admired-companies/amazon-com/  “is #2”
Here is another set of links that provides information about corporate activities and policies:
corporate activities and policies:  https://www.amazon.com/p/feature/rzekmvyjojcp6uc
employee benefits: http://www.amazondelivers.jobs/about/benefits/
Understanding Jeff Bezos—find a video interview… one choice…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq89wYzOjfs
A 2nd choice is by Charlie Rose https://charlierose.com/videos/29412
Choose at least one of the two (2) videos offered.  Then, if you wish you may search for another video…or you may use both of these selections.
Readings about leadership influence (power): Leadership incorporates power.  Compare Bezos leadership with supporting theory:  Read this link on power from the Reading List, Wk 6 Course Content: http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw=w&u=umd_umuc&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CCX3273100154&asid=79236579103d9dff221761816dc8c415
Ethics and Leadership Readings, see attached file:

  • Leadership ethics by Ciulla, midterm reading (although total pages = 25, only about 12 pages make up the article)

Amazon Case—Source Materials, attached file: You will also have special Source Materials, which includes a detailed analysis of the Amazon culture from the view point of people who worked there, a  New York Times article, a response to the article from Bezos , and a copy of the 14 Leadership Principles, used in Amazon new employee orientation)
 
Evaluation Factors (grading rubric)   
Content Factors

  1. Has a section which provides a brief, 1-2 paragraph summary of the growth of Amazon Exceeds

Meets Standard                Unclear/Not enough information

  1. Has a section of 2 or more paragraphs describing the current Amazon culture and the impact of that culture on its workforce. Use the Content Module 3 to help you review the culture.

Exceeds
Meets Standard                Unclear/Not enough information
 

  1. In a part of this section on culture of the company, select 1-2 of the principles used by Amazon workers, which in your opinion, associates appear to focus on. Review the list of Amazon leadership principles learned by each new Amazon employee. The text of this list is at the end of the Amazon source materials (attached file).

Describe the principles in your own words. Explain your reason for the selection.           
Exceeds
Meets Standard                Unclear/Not enough information
 

  1. Has a section which examine the leadership of Jeff Bezos at Amazon. Using a video interview of him, analyze aspects of his leadership compared to 1-2 of the Amazon Leadership Principles. Explain your selection.

Exceeds
Meets Standard                Unclear/Not enough information
 

  1. Expand the section on Bezo’s leadership by reviewing the power Bezos uses (see reading link listed earlier in this Guide on Leadership power. Identify one category of power Bezos appears to apply. Explain that type of power in your own words and then discuss why you think Bezos uses the power category.

Exceeds
Meets Standard                Unclear/Not enough information
 

  1. Review the readings about leadership ethics. You may return to Content Module 4 to help you think more about ethics. Select, then apply 2 ideas from the readings to answer the question:  Is Jeff Bezos an ethical leader, or not?  Write 2 or more paragraphs for this section.    

Exceeds
Meets Standard                Unclear/Not enough information
  

  1. Option: Select one of the topics below and write your opinion:

Given this research:

  • Amazon should (or should not) be considered a model and ethical company
  • The culture of Amazon should (or should not) be changed so that workers have more family-work balance
  • Exceeds
  • Meets Standard Unclear/Not enough information

 
Format factors:
The paper also has

  • A cover page
  • An introduction with a purpose (thesis) statement
  • Main sections addressing factors listed in the rubric (Five main sections + option, if you choose to write it).
  • In-text cites for each main section
  • A conclusion, which summarizes important analytical aspects of the essay—re-statement of purpose, method used to analyze, and 1-3 key findings
  • Reference List
  • Clear paragraph structure with one idea per paragraph
  • Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
  • Double-space between lines
  • 1-inch margin left side and flexible or non-justified margin, right side

 
Scoring of the essay:
60% of the score is determined by effective analysis, or content.
40% of the score is determined by attention to clear presentation and use of APA format.
 
Analysis meets the following course learning objectives:

  • Analyze leadership research.
  • Analyze organizational factors, such as culture, to develop a framework for managing aspects of work units.
  • Examine communication methods in support of effective leadership.
  • Identify what brings about organizational change, with an emphasis on culture and ethics.
 
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