The material from this week addresses the need for applied research, which is one form of ‘evidence from the organization’ (in Evidence-Based Management terms). This source of information is utilized to address whether or not a generic theory or practice that seems to work for some organizations actually would apply for a particular organization. That is, will it work for us? This written assignment (due end-of-week 7) is to write a paper that describes how a generic theory would be tested through applied research in a specific situation. The general theory used for this assignment (Option B) addresses the relationship between wine closure type (cork or screwcap) and intent or willingness to purchase. The literature seems to point in different directions, depending on perceived quality of the wine, purpose of purchase (gift or personal use), etc. (see the three articles listed below). Yet, the (perceived) growing acceptance of screw-caps, lower cost, and elimination of the problem of ‘cork taint’ has prompted a number of American Vineyards to consider a switch away from corks. For a medium-priced bottle of wine, would a switch to screw-caps result in a loss of unit sales?Assume, for the purpose of this assignment, that you are manager for vineyard producing mid-priced re wines (say, The Domain Carneros Winery (https://www.domainecarneros.com/) in Napa Valley California). You are contemplating a switch to screw-caps from cork. What applied research could be conducted to determine if such a switch will result in lower unit sales?Thinking back on the Pyramid of Evidence, what would a controlled, randomized longitudinal study look like if you were to conduct one at one or more locations that retail Domain Carneros wines? What are the independent and dependent variables? How would they be measured? In what manner would the independent variable be altered/changed (to see if a resulting change appeared in the dependent variable)? How would some sense of ‘randomness’ be included in the design?In a three to four-page paper (of text), describe an applied research study that could be conducted to answer the research question: Will sales Domain Carneros wine be influenced by a change in the type of bottle closure? To figure this out, you will need to at least peruse the foundational (e.g., basic) studies listed below. As a group, they will describe some of the current thinking/research on the subject. While none of these report on a specific cause-and-effect study (most are descriptive and/or correlational), they do provide a fairly descriptive view of U.S. perceptions of screw-caps at the time of the studies. But remember, these studies are over a decade old and consumer preferences and perceptions have been changing. As the vineyard manager, you have broad authority to facilitate an experiment by contracting out the bottling of some cases with screw-caps, making arrangements with various retailers, etc.Here are three foundational articles in chronological order of publication. (Since the later ones tend to cite the earlier ones, it is better to look at them in this order.)Durham C. & Marin A. (2007) Effects of Wine Bottle Closure Type on Consumer Purchase Intent and Price Expectation. Retrieved from American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 2018, 5, 192-201.Barber, N., Meagher, M., & Kolyesnikova, N. (2008). A New Twist on Tradition: Selling the Experience to U.S. Wine Consumers. Journal of Culinary Science & Technology, 6(4), 325–342. https://doi-org.jwupvdz.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/15428050802523842.Barber, N., Taylor, D.C., and Dodd, T. (2009), The importance of wine bottle closures in retail purchase decisions of consumers, Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management 18(6), 597-614.To be clear, this scenario can best be addressed through a controlled, randomized longitudinal experiment. You should include in your paper: A brief description of the theory/hypothesis (that is, whether you think that a switch to screw caps will or will not result in a decrease in sales. A description of the independent (influencing/causing) and dependent (influenced/’caused’) variables. How the independent variable will be changed. And how the dependent variable will be measured and collected.How you will ensure that the study is conducted in a way that measures Domain Carneros actual customers. And how you will that the control and experimental groups are comparable? (e.g., that any difference in sales in not the result, say, of one group being from affluent neighborhoods in the Northeast, while the other is from working-class neighborhoods on the Pacific Coast?)As with all graduate level papers, the more details, the better. Be sure to use APA format (Cover sheet, page numbers, citations, etc.).

Your task is to change the field according to directions below, then analyze and write a 2-page Memo Report. The Memo Report should be based on the group you are assigned to from the "All Teams PivotTable" tab / worksheet you created from Module 7: Project Assignment.Steps:1. From the League filter select a group.2. From the Level filter select a group.3. Generate a new PivotChartThe Memo Report should contain information / analysis about the data you are currently viewing, such as:1. Explain in detail the overall data (such as, what do the results indicate).2. Explain in detail how the data looks.3. Present any forecast you may see.4. Address recommendations on what can be done.Memo Report Length: 2 Pages double spacedEnsure that you embed your unique copy of the PivotTable and PivotChart in your Memo Report from the worksheet. Then submit the Memo Report to Canvas. You may download a memo template from Microsoft Word in order to complete this assignment.For complete grading details breakdown, please review PivotTable Rubric.Outcomes - INFO173Outcomes - INFO173CriteriaRatingsPts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIAL2: Connections to Discipline:Sees (makes) connections across disciplines, perspectivesthreshold: 3.0 pts4.0 ptsIndependently creates wholes out of multiple parts (synthesizes) or draws conclusions by combining examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.3.0 ptsIndependently connects examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.2.0 ptsWhen prompted, connects examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.1.0 ptsWhen prompted, presents examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.0.0 ptsDoes not meet benchmark criteria.-- This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIAL4: Integrated Communicationthreshold: 3.0 pts4.0 ptsFulfills the assignment(s) by choosing a format, language, or graph (or other visual representation) in ways that enhance meaning, making clear the interdependence of language and meaning, thought, and expression.3.0 ptsFulfills the assignment(s) by choosing a format, language, or graph (or other visual representation) to explicitly connect content and form, demonstrating awareness of purpose and audience.2.0 ptsFulfills the assignment(s) by choosing a format, language, or graph (or other visual representation) that connects in a basic way what is being communicated (content) with how it is said (form).1.0 ptsFulfills the assignment(s) (i.e. to produce an essay, a poster, a video, a PowerPoint presentation, etc.) in an appropriate form.0.0 ptsDoes not meet benchmark criteria.--This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePivotTable Memo0.0 ptsNo Description0.0 ptsNo Description0.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeHeaderInformation about the Header (From, To, Date, Title, etc.)10.0 ptsStrongHas all the required information.7.5 ptsProficientHas more than half of the information.5.0 ptsSatisfactoryHas half of the information.2.5 ptsNoviceHas less than half of the information.0.0 ptsUnacceptableMissing information or not related to topic.10.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroductionDiscuss what the Memo is about.15.0 ptsStrongProvides detailed description of memo and purpose.11.25 ptsProficientProvides some detailed overview of the memo.7.5 ptsSatisfactoryProvides a brief overview of the memo.3.75 ptsNoviceProvides little or no overview of memo.0.0 ptsUnacceptableMissing information or not related to topic.15.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExplanation / DiscussionWhat does your data contain?Discuss the important variables you are understand from the data.25.0 ptsStrongProvides detailed analysis with examples.18.75 ptsProficientProvides more than half detailed analysis.12.5 ptsSatisfactoryProvides half detailed analysis.6.25 ptsNoviceProvides less than half detailed analysis.0.0 ptsUnacceptableMissing information or not related to topic.25.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeChart & GraphDiscuss the chart and information.What does the data mean?15.0 ptsStrongDiscusses in where the data came from and summarizes data.11.25 ptsProficientProvides some detailed overview of the data.7.5 ptsSatisfactoryProvides a brief overview of the data.3.75 ptsNoviceProvides little or no overview of data.0.0 ptsUnacceptableMissing information or not related to topic.15.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusionClosing statement, Recommendation, Forecasting, etc.15.0 ptsStrongProvides detailed conclusion, recommendations, and/or forecasting, and provided examples.11.25 ptsProficientProvides some detailed conclusion, recommendations, and/or forecasting.7.5 ptsSatisfactoryProvides brief conclusion, recommendations, and/or forecasting.3.75 ptsNoviceProvides little or no conclusion, recommendations, and/or forecasting.0.0 ptsUnacceptableMissing information or not related to topic.15.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePivotTable / PivotChartWere the instructions carried out properly?20.0 ptsStrongCorrect chart and table added to memo.10.0 ptsSatisfactoryCorrect chart or table added to memo.0.0 ptsUnacceptableMissing information or not related to topic.20.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExtra Credit0.0 ptsNo Description0.0 ptsNo Description0.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCreativityAdds something unexpected5.0 ptsAdded CreativityAdded something outside the requirement or unexpected.2.5 ptsPartial CreativityAdded some creativity.0.0 ptsNo CreativityThere is no creativity.5.0 pts

The four functions of management model has been criticized as being irrelevant to today’s managers. Do you agree or disagree with the critics who question the relevance of this model? Explain your answer and support your position.