Integrative Case Analysis Guidelines

Erik Peterson Part I

Read the Erik Peterson Case Parts A and B only.
Write out each question below separately using a main heading in the document and the exact
numbering and wording. Bold the questions. Answer each question with comprehensive
arguments that are fully supported, covering all sides of the issue and question.
1. What problems are facing Erik Peterson? Group them as internal factors and external
factors in two separate sections and use sub-headings for each factor.
2. What are the underlying causes of these problems? Explicate each cause and tie it to the
problem (factor) you identified in question 1; again use sub-headings for each cause that
correspond to the problems (factors) identified in 1 above.
3. How effective has Peterson been in taking charge in terms of a) managing the new
operation and b) of providing leadership? Use separate subheadings to address a) and b).
In a separate section, evaluate the characteristics of effective leadership needed in this
situation and make recommendations to enhance leadership effectiveness.
4. What actions, if any, should Peterson take to turn the situation around and prepare for his
meeting with Chip Knight? Use sub-headings for each action you suggest.
Erik Peterson Part II
Now read the case parts C, D, and E.
5. What went wrong during managements visit, and what could Peterson have done
differently. Answer each in a separate paragraph with a sub-heading. Keep your answers
and thoughts organized.
6. What lessons does Erik Petersons story yield? Recommend effective approaches for
motivating employees and managing relationships and discuss the implications of these
recommendations for managing in a diverse organization. Use your OB and HRM texts
as resources for your recommendations. Integrate appropriate concepts from the texts and
lectures to your answer.
7. Self-assessment and career choices
a. What is the gap between what was needed and what skills and qualities Peterson
brought to the job? Was the gap too big? Why/not?
b. Could Peterson have closed the gap? Why/not?
c. Discuss what this position really entails and the context in which a business
operates and of determining whether the fit is the right one.
8. Leadership and the leadership challenge for Peterson

a. What kinds of actions and attitudes are vital to strong leadership?

b. Was there a need to establish an agenda? To face conflict squarely? To build trust
and credibility with superiors and subordinates? To secure help and support in
achieving goals?
9. Managing company performance
a. Peterson faced a seemingly ceaseless stream of operating problems, recalcitrant
employees, inexperience across the board, lack of procedures and policies,
equipment shortages, disputes among workers, the zoning conflict, and
unsupportive senior management. While he did not create these problems, it was
his job to make sure they got resolved. How should a leader take action to deal
with a units performance and how should a leader align a units practices and
policies with an organizations goals? Draw on your own knowledge and
experience and challenge and broaden your assumptions about leadership,
management, motivation, and organizational behavior.
b. What are the constraints faced by first time managers? Do people at all levels of
the organization necessarily comply with managers directives and expectations
on the basis of their formal authority alone?
c. How could managers recognize that they are in a position of interdependency and
learn to build relationships with those inside and outside the organization?

Formatting Your Paper

Use only the AOM style guide available in our course Web site for formatting your paper.
See the style guide for where to place the page numbers, how to put headings,
subheadings, sub-subheadings, and what margins to use.
Your paper should be double spaced. Maximum length is 15 pages plus or minus 1 page.
Do not leave an extra space in between paragraphs. Rather, designate each paragraph
with a tab. Check the box under Paragraph in MS WORD that says do not leave space in
between paragraphs.
Put your full name on the upper right hand corner of the first page (right-aligned), line 1.
That is all you put on line 1. Right justify it. NO SEPARATE TITLE PAGE PLEASE.
Line 2 of your document should state Erik Peterson Integrative Case Analysis,
centered, all caps (main heading).
Put question 1 starting on line 3 of page 1 of the document, left aligned and bolded.
Do not use any abbreviations or colloquialism in your writing. Excellence in writing is
expected of graduate students, and hence points will be deducted for any
writing/spelling/grammar mistakes. Pay particular attention to correct usage of
apostrophes (this happens to be a pet peeve of this professor; incorrect usage or lack of
use of an apostrophe when required is a sign of students ignorance in learning since this
is taught to students in second grade).
Cite all of your resources as needed within the body of the paper and list them in a
separate References section at the end of the paper using AOM style guide for both.