Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Assessing the Columbia Disaster with the Burke-Litwin Model. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page paper evaluating the utility of the Burke-Litwin conceptual framework for evaluating the loss of the space shuttle Columbia in 2003. The Burke-Litwin model is appropriate for assessing a situation as complex as that concerning the loss of Columbia. A less involved, more technically-oriented approach likely would have failed to identify the real reasons for the loss of Columbia, which essentially constituted an extension of the reasons underlying the loss of Challenger. The approach that the CAIB took in investigating Columbia may well have broken the chain of failure. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: CC6_KSmgChgBurkLit.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Space shuttle Columbia took all of 15 seconds to cross California on February 1, 2003. Traveling at 15,000 mph as it re-entered the earths atmosphere, several radar
stations on earth made no attempt to track it but many shuttle enthusiasts did. Most were videotaping what they could see of the re-entry, appearing to the naked eye
on the ground as a pre-dawn meteor ablaze in heat. This was a common feature of shuttle returns, though in retrospect observers noted a difference in color and quality
of light and their videotapes later would reveal debris beginning to drop from Columbia (Langewiesche, 2003). By the time Columbia reached east Texas
it was no more, as thousands of pieces of debris rained down on east Texas and Louisiana. The ensuing investigation revealed far more than those outside NASA would expect.
For insiders, they knew all too well the problems that led to the loss of Columbia and the seven people aboard. Relevance of the Burke-Litwin Model
W. Warner Burke and George H. Litwin introduced their conceptual framework in 1992. It is useful when "considering a large volume of data with a
wide range of potential categories of issues" (2002 LaRC Organizational Performance Survey, 2003; p. A6) such as was the case in the investigation of the Columbia disaster.
The Burke-Litwin model consists of twelve categories divided into two groups of applicable factors. There are four transformational factors; eight transactional factors. Transformational factors
include the external environment; mission and strategy; leadership; and organizational culture. Transactional factors include management practices; structure; systems; work unit climate; motivation; skills and job match; individual needs and
...