Research Project: Managing Total Compensation 

The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to demonstrate your applied interpretation of total compensation management strategy and practice not the textbook theory.

It is best to use the company: “Fiat Chrysler Automobiles”

You will select two functional areas and then take a deep dive into those two areas for your research paper.

Send me your company selection and two functional areas no later than Friday, January 10th

I would like some additional information when you submit the company and functional areas for your project. Include the positions you will be working on. Example: Functional area: Sales Position: Inside Sales Team Friendly reminder that I need “two distinct” functional areas. The positions you submit cannot be in the same functional area.

Once you have a company and two functional areas selected, please email the information to me for my approval.

Using the strategic decision model outlined in the text (Chapter 2- Exhibit 2.6) (PDF Attached to Question)

· Present a proposal outlining your recommended Compensation Strategy for the two functional areas at the organization you have selected.

· Your strategy should address critical issues of compensation and employee engagement for the existing workforce.

· Your paper should be 9-10 pages (double-spaced, 12-font) giving a high-level overview for senior leadership of CEOs the information needed to make a decision whether to pursue the proposal further. 

· Ultimately, your recommendations should link the corporate objectives of the functional areas to any critical compensation factors impacting the organization.

The paper needs to include the following components with headings and subheadings for each required item listed below:

Paper Format: Headers

· Executive Summary

· Introduction

· Process of Formulating a Total Compensation Strategy

· Analysis of Critical Factors

· Implementation Strategy

· Reassessment

· Conclusion

· References

Executive Summary (1-2 pages) 0 – Gives a high level summary of the entire research paper

Body of the paper (8 – 9 pages) must address each of the following:

1) Introduction: Identify the compensation strategy and implications of the strategy. Briefly discuss the objectives of your proposal: Identify the problem, acknowledge the problem and how your proposal would resolve or benefit the organization.

2) Process of Formulating a Total Compensation Strategy: Discuss each of the four (4) steps of your proposed total compensation strategy. (Exhibit 2.6)

3) Analysis of Critical Factors: Discuss the relationship between your company business strategy, competitive dynamics, HR strategy, culture/values, social and political context, employee needs, preferences, union perspectives, and contemporary pay (HR) systems.

4) Implementation Strategy: Design your implementation to translate strategy into action. Chose specific techniques to fit your strategy. Discuss what tools, training, resources are needed, what criteria, financials, ROI you plan using during implementation to assure success.

5) Reassessment: Discuss: How will you determine if the proposal is effective? Does it meet the proposed objectives? What is the timing of the evaluation? How will changes be made (if needed)?

6) Conclusion: Briefly summarize the main points of your proposal and provide a rationale for justifying your recommendations, explaining how your proposed compensation strategy will benefit the organization and employees.

References and Format: The paper should follow APA 6th edition guidelines. Use the template I provided. Use a minimum of five outside resources (other than the textbook).  Citation of the text book is not permitted for this assignment as the purpose of this project is to allow you to apply concepts of what you have learned in this course (and other related courses) in a simulated business case.

A great online writing resource is the Purdue Online Writing Lab and Pearson’s Business Writing Resource (see syllabus for links to these resources).

Grading Rubric: