Manging Diversity and Inclusion at Yelp

Case #1: Managing Diversity and Inclusion at Yelp

Case Questions. In preparing your case analysis write-up (if you are assigned the particular case) or notes for class discussion (if you are not assigned for the particular case), the questions below should guide your thinking. A key component of your thinking should be material drawn from the book or class notes.
1. In your view, should companies set targets for levels of diversity? Explain your answer.
2. What value, if any, does adding diversity to the workforce have? Explain.
3. Are the sources of Yelp’s diversity problems external to the industry, internal to the industry, or internal to the company? Explain your answer by pointing to specific causes of Yelp’s diversity problems.
4. Describe the different types of diversity and explain how understanding these different types is relevant for Yelp’s efforts.
Responses to these questions should be integrated into the paper; they should not be addressed in bullet-point form.
Write-up. Papers should be 3-5 double-spaced pages (no more than 1250 words) and comprise four sections: Summary of Facts and Issues, Answers to Questions, Recommendations, and Broader Implications. Do not exceed the page limit. Below is the rubric for the case write-up.

Content % of Grade
Summary of facts and issues. Comprehensive and clear description of key facts and issues regarding the case.
10
Answers to case questions. Addressed all questions, supported with justification and insights based on facts from case and course materials.
40
Recommendations. Discussion of recommendations that actionable and feasible, explicitly linked to case analysis and facts. Approaching the problem from the point where the case ends and taking the perspective of the organization or protagonist
20
Broader implications. Insights from case for management practice drawing on theory/course content and case facts
20
Writing. Correct use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation; well-organized; appropriately referenced
10

Submission. Write-ups are due the morning of the class session at 8:30am. Remember to put your name on the first page of the document, and label your file by your last name and first initial (e.g., smithm individual paper).

Guidelines for Effectively the Reading and Analysis of Cases

Instructions: The purpose of these cases is to improve your ability to apply material learned from class and the readings to case studies of organizations. The objective is to use this material to generate recommendations for future events or actions. Whether you are writing up the case or preparing for discussion, your preparation should take the following guidelines into account:

A. Be able to state the basic issue or issues of the case. These may take the form of a problem, or a particular issue that the company deals with in an unusual or very effective way. Be careful to get to the basic concern, rather than focusing on what may be results or symptoms. Keep in mind the class material as you frame the issue(s).
B. Be able to summarize the key facts and underlying assumptions. Identifying what is important out of all the information presented is a central skill. Differentiate between fact and opinion. Keep in mind that underlying assumptions are often unstated.
C. Why is the issue you have identified particularly important here? What has caused the events or behavior you observe?
D. What are the implications for the future? If this is a problem, what possible solutions are there, and how do they relate to behavioral theory?
E. Make recommendations for what you would do if you were the case protagonist. Avoid trying to reverse problems that already occurred (i.e., “I would not have done X in the first place”). Rather, approach the problem from the point where the case ends. Your recommendations should be closely linked to your analysis of the underlying causes of the problem. Additionally, consider the intended effects of your recommendations as well as the potential unintended effects.