DBA705 Religious Organizations Discussion
Understanding Step One in PBL
When faced with a problem, people usually jump quickly to trying to find solutions to the problem. This is a natural reaction, but it is just that; a reaction. It is not a responsive, systematic approach to solving the problem. In problem-based learning, we purposely take one step at a time to solve the problem. Step One in PBL requires identification and investigation of the problem. Identifying the problem means clearly stating it in its simplest form. Investigating it means systematically examining it to better understand it. The goal of the team for Step One is to establish what is known about the problem.
The Context of the Problem
In PBL Step 1 of this course, your focus is on an industry analysis. Your instructor will assign an industry to each PBL team to research for the balance of the course. The following are industries representative for the type of industries used in this course. Your instructor will assign an industry to your PBL team to focus on for the balance of this course.
- Churches (2017 NAICS code 813110 Religious Organizations)
- Higher Education (2017 NAICS code 611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools)
- Healthcare provider (2017 NAICS category 62 Health Care and Social Assistance)
- Primary education (2017 NAICS Definition 611110 Elementary and Secondary Schools
- Government agency: state, county or city. ( 2017 NAICS category 92 Public Administration)
- Nonprofit Industry
Investigating the Problem
In this course, the problem/opportunity you will investigate from a marketing perspective is how an industry/organization best creates value for its stakeholders. A Porter’s Five Forces analysis can provide helpful information about an industry to identify its stakeholders, as well as its strengths and vulnerabilities. Examples of an industry weakness is the possibility of close substitutes outside the industry and/or the relativity high power of buyers within the industry. Also important to know is what are the stakeholders’ cultural distinctives and how do they influence marketing? An industry analysis can help determine some preliminary steps for an industry/organization to better create value. For PBL Step 1, the PBL team’s deliverable is a Porter’s Five Forces analysis of their assigned industry.