Instructions: I/O psychologists often serve as consultants for both business corporations and non-profit organizations. In this regard they are often asked to use their knowledge of psychological research and theory to help solve a specific organizational problem. In this assignment you will be asked to play the role and an IO consultant and produce a consulting report.
Assignment: Imagine you are an IO psychologist and have been hired by an organization as a consultant to solve a problem. The problem must fall within the list of current workplace trends/problems faced by IO psychologists, (See SIOPs List of top 10 organizational workplace issues on course Moodle page). Your task is to operationally define the problem, research and discuss the published research on the problem, then based on your understanding of the psychological literature propose a solution (e.g. change) to the organization. You will then mention how you propose to evaluate (measure) your proposed solution and draw some final conclusion. (Of course, dont forget to send the organization a bill for your services and get paid)!
Note: The organizational problem will be from the top 10 workplace trends and problems that many IO psychologists seek to solve. However, once you pick a trend you will need to be more specific and focused. For example, #9 Virtual Work space has resulted in more employees working from home. Some individuals enjoy this, but others hate it. Some organizations have found that some employees miss socializing with co-workers, and this decreases their job satisfaction and performance. You start with #9 but then need to come up with a more specific organizational problem that you then research the literature on.
You must have pick and tell me your consulting problem by midterm break (March 4th). If you have trouble finding a consulting problem, see me and I will give you one. You can, if you wish use a real organizational problem from a real organization (e.g. MC, business, government organization, etc). However, you must change the name of the organization and not identify the employees (Maintain confidentiality). Some examples of typical organizational problems: Finding the best person for the job, evaluating training programs, worker motivation, leadership selection, job satisfaction, skill growth and development, stress/burnout, work place violence, issues of diversity and prejudice, technology and work, etc.
Consulting Paper Format
Your paper should have the following sub-sections (in bold)
I. Cover/Title Page: Type Psyc 277 Consulting Paper. Below this type your name.
Type the Title of your consulting paper (e.g. Organizational Problem)
(Example: Algorithmic Selection of Department Managers: Overcoming Bias Against Selecting Female Leaders within the Apple Corporation
1. Once you pick a current trend and problem you need to research, the psychological published research/theory. (This means reading and understanding it).
II. Statement of Problem (half a page): a. In this section, you briefly describe the organization (You can make this part up or describe a real organization). Be sure to operationally define the problem.
III. Review of the Literature (2-3 pages): Discuss the published literature on the topic.
(This will be a large part of your paper. Similar to the introduction of an APA style research article you need to inform the reader about the topic. For example, review the current research on stereotypes of female leaders in organizations.
IV. Proposed Solution: (half to 1 page): Based on the empirical research you discussed and additional published research you found, propose a solution to the problem. NOTE: It is important that your solution be grounded in research and/or theory and be specific about the changes.
V. Implement Solution and Measures: (half to 1 page) Briefly discuss how the organization will change (implement your solution) and importantly how these changes can be measured in the future. Again your proposed changes need to be measurable/quantifiable. (You dont get paid unless it works). For example, if you found there is benevolent sexism toward women in the workplace and you proposed some solution, how will you measure any change? (For example, based on the literature you could use the Modern Sexism Scale and see if employee scores significantly decreased).
VI. Discussion: (half to 1 page). Brief discussion of any possible problems, weaknesses or limitations of your proposed solution or implementation. (Organizations are complicated and dynamic, no solution is perfect or can last forever). However, your solution should be ethical, and plausible.
VII. References: A list of references you cited in the review of the literature. APA style listing. (If unfamiliar with APA style references, you can goggle it to see several examples).
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