Assignment Overview

Of course having solid control processes is essential for any successful organization. Some organizations like to seek formal recognition for their control functions through independent certifications such as ISO 9000. In order to receive ISO certification, you need to extensively follow and document a long list of published standards and then have an outside evaluator certify that you are meeting these standards.

ISO certification has both proponents and critics. Proponents argue that meeting ISO standards through certification will improve organizational control functions and also help signal to the outside world that you are running a solid operation with high standards. However, critics point to the huge amount of time and money spent on documentation that may be excessive. Critics also say that ISO focuses on documentation of processes rather than the actual quality/efficiency of the process.

For this assignment, first read up on ISO certification and examine the arguments both for and against it. Then read up on a new start-up company called Clinkle and consider whether or not ISO 9000 would be appropriate for this new company to seek. Clinkle is new online payment company that has received a lot of media attention recently but has also had its ups and downs. It has raised a lot of money from investors but is still at an early stage with no revenue yet.

Here are some articles on ISO certification to get you started:

Seddon, J. (1997). Ten arguments against ISO 9000, Managing Service Quality 7(4), pp. 162-168. [ProQuest]

Wahid, R., &  Corner, J.  (2009). Critical success factors and problems in ISO 9000 maintenance.

The International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management 26 (9), pp. 881-893.

Here are some articles on Clinkle to get you started:

Smart money follows mobile payment app Clinkle (July 4, 2013). Irish Times, Dublin [ProQuest]

Clinkle raises $25 million in seed financing as it prepares to change the way people transact. (June 27, 2013). Business Wire, New York [ProQuest]

Case Assignment

After doing research and carefully considering whether or not ISO certification is the right option for Clinkle, write a 4- to 5-page paper answering the following questions:

1. What aspects of the control function of management do you think should be the most important to Clinkle?
2. What would be the main benefits to Clinkle of obtaining ISO certification?
3. What would be the main disadvantages to Clinkle of obtaining ISO certification?
4. Overall, should Clinkle invest time and money in ISO certification, or are the resources better spent on other ways to maintain control systems?

Assignment Expectations

• Answer the assignment questions directly.
• Stay focused on the precise assignment questions; don’t go off on tangents or devote a lot of space to general background materials.
• List supporting references and cite sources in proper format.
• Use reliable and credible sources as your references. Articles published in established newspapers or business journals/magazines are preferred. If you find articles on the Internet, make sure they are from a credible source.
• Use appropriate writing style in essay form (organization, grammar, and spelling).
• Review Trident’s “Writing Style Guide” for more detail on referencing and writing expectations. This guide is found under “My Resources” in the TLC portal.

• Module 5 – SLP

  Controlling

  For this final SLP you will be looking closely at the control function of management within your organization. All organizations have numerous methods of control, but think carefully about what control mechanisms are most vital for your organization’s success. Then write a 2- to 3-page paper answering the following question:

  • What control mechanisms at your organization are (or should be) the most useful or important for the success of your organization?

  Focus in particular on the core technologies of the organization as applied to the control function of management. You can discuss control efforts and strategies already utilized by your company, and/or make recommendations that you believe would be useful for your organization to consider.

  Begin your essay with a thesis statement in the introductory paragraph that identifies what you consider to be the key organizational control efforts that are (or would be) important to the success of your organization, and then develop a persuasive essay to support your thesis.

  Remember to use background readings to support your key arguments and to cite and reference your sources. Your goal is to convince your professor, who will require some well-reasoned and well-supported arguments. Actual examples of control and accountability systems in action and how they work in your organization will also help to add support to your arguments, but you need to go beyond just being descriptive and provide some convincing arguments in favor of your position.

  SLP Assignment Expectations

  • Answer the assignment questions directly and provide clear arguments in favor of your answer.
  • Stay focused on the precise assignment questions; don’t go off on tangents or devote a lot of space to summarizing general background material.
  • List supporting references and cite sources in proper format, including in-text citations.
  • Use appropriate writing style in essay form (organization, grammar, and spelling).
  • Review Trident’s “Writing Style Guide” for more detail on referencing and writing expectations. This guide is found under “My Resources” in the TLC portal.