DIRECTIONS:

You will write an APA 7th Edition paper, 5-7 double-spaced pages in length, on someone of your choosing who is currently in an executive position or in a leadership role. They should be considered a C-Level (CEO, CIO, CFO, etc.) executive or in a prominent leadership position.  At a minimum this person needs to be responsible for a significant function in an organization and have supervisory responsibility over others.  The interview may be conducted on the phone, virtually, or in person (your methodology or mode of conducting the interview, must be documented in your paper).  This paper must include a minimum of five (5) peer-reviewed, refereed journal articles pertaining to your subject’s ethics. As a guideline, your paper should include:

1. DESCRIBE: A description of the subject’s ethical beliefs and practices. In two pages (approximately) you should address the following: What challenges have they encountered in the workplace that have shaped their views on ethics? How have they addressed those challenges (their ethical reasoning)?
2. ANALYZE: An analysis of the subject’s ethics.  How did he or she evolve their view of ethics?  

What ethical theories are expressed or implied in his or her discussion of ethics.  Examine whether there were inconsistencies, deficiencies, inadequacies in his or her ethical theory. If there were no shortcomings, account for the strength of the subject’s ethical position. What motivated the leaders to act appropriately or inappropriately, in your opinion? This should be approximately two-three pages.

1. SYNTHESIZE and EVALUATE: Do you agree with your subject’s approach to ethics? If not, why not, and if so, then why?  What did you learn from this interview and your research?  About two pages are adequate for this portion.

You are to summarize and analyze the content of the interview, not provide a verbatim transcript of the interview. This is due on Sunday of Week Six, and is worth 300 points. The grading rubric for this paper is provided in Course Information in Blackboard.

Signature Assignment

Executive Interview Rubric

Criteria

Exemplary

Proficient

Needs Improvement

Below Expectations

No credit

Content Accuracy 

80

Provides clear identification of the interviewee’s ethical beliefs and practices. Utilizing the course textbook or journal articles identify two or more ethical theorists or theories to explain the leader’s approach.

73

Provides fairly clear identification of the interviewee’s ethical beliefs and practices. Utilizing the course textbook or journal articles identify two or more ethical theorists or theories to explain the leader’s approach.

67

Provides somewhat clear identification of the interviewee’s ethical beliefs and practices. Utilizing the course textbook or journal articles identify one ethical theorist or theory to explain the leader’s approach.

61

Does not provide a clear identification of the interviewee’s ethical beliefs and practices. Does not utilize the course textbook or any journal articles, and does not identify any ethical theorists or theories to explain the leader’s approach.

0

Assignment, meeting grading criteria, was not submitted.

Critical Analysis 

80

In-depth discussion of three (3) of the following:

• Inadequacies, deficiencies, or inconsistencies in the subject’s ethics
• Strengths of the subject’s ethics
• Presents evidence corroborating your position of the subject ethical behavior

Utilizes the textbook and journal article(s) to state your case.

73

In-depth discussion of two (2) of the following:

• Inadequacies, deficiencies, or inconsistencies in the subject’s ethics
• Strengths of the subject’s ethics
• Presents evidence corroborating your position of the subject ethical behavior

Utilizes the textbook and journal article(s) to state your case.

67

In-depth discussion of one (1) of the following:

• Inadequacies, deficiencies, or inconsistencies in the subject’s ethics
• Strengths of the subject’s ethics
• Presents evidence corroborating your position of the subject ethical behavior

Utilizes the textbook and journal article(s) to state your case.

61

Does not discuss any of the following:

• Inadequacies, deficiencies, or inconsistencies in the subject’s ethics
• Strengths of the subject’s ethics
• Presents evidence corroborating your position of the subject ethical behavior

Does not utilize the textbook and/or journal article(s) to state your case.

0

Assignment, meeting grading criteria, was not submitted.

Application/

Learning 

60

The writer provides a clear and detailed rationale explaining support or opposition to the subject’s ethics.   Identifies a minimum of 3 learnings from the interview.

53

The writer provides a somewhat clear and somewhat detailed rationale explaining support or opposition to the subject’s ethics.   Identifies 2 learnings from the interview.

47

The writer provides an inadequate and minimally detailed rationale explaining support or opposition to the subject’s ethics.   Identifies 1 learning from the interview.

41

The writer does not provide a clear or detailed rationale explaining support or opposition to the subject’s ethics.   Does not identify learnings from the interview.

0

Assignment, meeting grading criteria, was not submitted.

Writing Mechanics and APA 

40

The writer clearly demonstrates an understanding of the assignment while using a style, form and language that is appropriate for a college level paper. The writer properly acknowledges the work of others by consistently utilizing current APA style.

33

The writer demonstrates some understanding of the assignment while using a style, form and language that is appropriate for a college level paper.

The writer properly acknowledges the work of others with some APA flaws.

27

The writer demonstrates minimal understanding of the assignment while using a style, form and language that is appropriate for a college level paper. The writer properly acknowledges the work of others with major APA flaws.

21

The writer uses a style, form, and language that are not college level quality.

The writer does not acknowledge the work of others, and does not utilize APA style.

0

Assignment, meeting grading criteria, was not submitted.

Use of Sources 

40

The writer has used at least 5 scholarly reference sources. Draws from primary sources for discussion.

33

The writer has used at least 5 scholarly reference sources. Draws heavily upon secondary sources for discussion.

27

The writer has used at least 5 scholarly reference sources. Draws heavily upon secondary sources for discussion.

21

The writer has used 4 or fewer scholarly sources of reference.

0

Assignment, meeting grading criteria, was not submitted.

 

As a first-year Human Resource Specialist at “State of Estates” estate planning firm, your boss (Will N. Trusts) presents you with the following two scenarios:

Scenario 1

Ned was hired six weeks ago by “State of Estates” to supervise the call center on weekends. At the time of hire, Ned did not disclose that he is a follower of the “Weekend Warriors” religion. In observance of his religious practices, Ned may not work Saturday mornings before noon. Ned called out of work three Saturday mornings in a row, costing the company extra overtime costs. The company looked to re-arrange the schedule, but to pull in a more senior supervisor on the weekend would require time-and-a-half pay. In addition, call-center statistics indicate a drop in productivity when there is a change of supervisor mid-day. The company would like to terminate Ned’s employment.

• Would Ned have an argument for religious discrimination against “State of Estates?” Why or why not?
• If yes, would the company be able to assert any defenses under these circumstances?

Scenario 2

Ella works in the accounting department in the northern satellite office of the company. She has been employed for four years, and performed her job well until recently, when she was caught sleeping on the job numerous times. Ella explained to her supervisor that she suffers from sleep apnea and has not been sleeping well at night. She requested a special caffeine supplement, at $200 daily, to keep her focused on the spreadsheets.

• What factors would a court consider in determining whether Ella’s sleep apnea qualifies her for protection under the ADA?
• Would “State of Estates” have to provide the requested accommodation of the caffeine pills in this instance? Why or why not?

Create two 350-word memos in one document based on these two scenarios.

Format your memos, including citations and references consistent with APA guidelines.

   

2. “HR departments must be more involved in designing—not just executing—the company’s strategic plan. This can be accomplished by aligning HR strategy with the Business strategy”. Outline the Basic Model that helps an HR manager translates the company’s strategic plan into HR policy and practice. 

  

D) Case Application: “Managing HR in Arab Countries” 

The Arabco Company was established in January (1988) in Saudi Arabia and has expended during the past 20 years into other countries in the region, including U.A.E, Bahrain, and Oman. The company is a subcontractor for various construction activities, mainly civil and electro-mechanical works. Under the leadership of its founder, Mr. Majed Al Amri, and due to the wise management of the HR director Mr. Hazem Shaker and the commitment of all employees; the company gained a good reputation in the Arab region, and marked itself in the construction industry for quality and the timely delivery of projects.

In the year 2008, the HR director, Mr. Hazem Shaker, retired and a new Young HR manager, Kareem Sabry, was appointed to the company. In order to meet the economy downturn challenge that happened, Kareem was proud to tell Mr. Majed that he will implement plans that can help the company decreases spending. He attempted to change some of the company’s HR policies and practices by:

n Lowering salaries for all employees.

n Hiring people who were willing to work for very low financial incentives.

n Reducing the training and development budget.

In less than four years, the clients started complaining of poor delivery of Arabco projects which drew Mr. Majed al Amri attention to that something was going wrong, but he did not know what.

He met with Kareem and learned that the employees’ turnover rate was very high, and at the time an employee was hired, another one resigned.

After visiting the 20 projects and finding similar problems in many of them, Mr. Majed noticed that five senior project managers (all are line managers) had resigned, and many of their team members were not happy in the company. Mr. Majed Al Amri wondered what action he should take.

Questions:

1. Obviously,      the new policies set up by Kareem have caused the problem; yet, Mr. Majed      was also responsible for this problem to occur? How?
2. Do      you think that Kareem had a problem implementing effective communication with      the line managers? If yes, What HR functions would be carried out by the      line managers?
3. As      the new policies have shown negative impact on      the company’s relevant outcomes, how can the HRM strategy help the company      in creating a sustainable competitive advantage?
4. Do      you think that culture and employment law provide      strong explanation and guide for many of the HR practices?

 Do some research and write a 500-600-word summary (body content length) that discusses two different strategic planning concepts. Locate a minimum of two scholarly journal articles for each concept—a minimum of four articles for the paper altogether (these articles must be new to this assignment for this course). You want to select research that presents each concept and its usefulness in strategic planning within organizations. If you elect to write the paper, then keep your writing in third person if you discuss how these concepts work in your sector.