Writing Question

EVERYTHING NEED TO BE 100 PERCENT HUMAN WRITTEN, UPLOAD AI AND PLAGIARISM REPORT

PART A 2003

Write a 3–5 page paper in which you describe the ACA and one additional healthcare program initiative introduced after 2010, exploring how these policies have shaped today’s healthcare system.

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Introduction

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 brought significant changes to the U.S. healthcare system by improving access to care. However, it also highlighted the need for better policies, increased funding, and streamlined enrollment processes. To build on the ACA’s foundation, additional policies have been introduced over the years, such as the Hospital Quality Initiative (2012), the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) (2015), the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), and the American Rescue Plan Act (2021). These initiatives aim to enhance healthcare quality through targeted regulations and reforms.

This assessment lets you focus on one of five key policy areas, helping you understand healthcare reform, policy, and regulation in the United States. You’ll describe the ACA and its impact and then choose one additional healthcare program initiative introduced after 2010 to discuss. You'll explore how these policies have shaped today’s healthcare system.

Preparation

View the preparation video:

• Prepare for "You Decide” U.S. Healthcare Policy Evolution.

Decide Your Topic

Option 1: The Role of the ACA in Expanding Access and Increasing Quality in Healthcare

• Examine the ACA’s influence on improving healthcare access and quality. Focus on provisions like the individual mandate, Medicaid expansion, and essential health benefits.
• Critique whether these policies have met quality improvement goals and address any challenges that remain.

Option 2: The Impact of the Hospital Quality Initiative (2012) on Inpatient and Outpatient Facility Care Explore how the

• Hospital Quality Initiative’s accountability measures have influenced patient care quality, considering metrics like patient satisfaction, readmission rates, and penalties for underperforming hospitals.
• Evaluate how this program has driven improvements in hospital performance.

Option 3: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) (2015) and Its Long-term Implications

• Explain how MACRA’s emphasis on quality over volume has shifted Medicare payment approaches. Assess the influence of MACRA’s payment tracks on provider performance and patient outcomes.
• Discuss MACRA’s sustainability and effectiveness in meeting quality goals.

Option 4: The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Physician Performance

• Investigate how MIPS has impacted physicians’ focus on quality outcomes and incentivized improved performance, addressing challenges like administrative burden and physician burnout.
• Consider whether MIPS has balanced quality care with operational demands on healthcare providers.

Option 5: The American Rescue Plan Act (2021) and Emergency Healthcare Support

• Examine how the American Rescue Plan Act provided support during the COVID-19 pandemic, including health system relief and Medicaid expansions.
• Evaluate its effectiveness in meeting emergency needs and potential influence on future healthcare policies.

Find Sources

• Download and review the “You Decide” U.S. Healthcare Policy Evolution Template [DOCX].
  • You will use this document to complete the assessment. Full instructions for completing the assessment are provided in this template.
• Gather six sources to use for your paper.
  • You will need to include six references in your paper.
  • One of these can be your textbook and the others can be from the course readings.
  • You can also find your own sources using the Capella University Library and the Health Care Administration Undergraduate Library Guide. Click on the Healthcare Ecosystem section.

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

Required Sections

• APA Title Page.
• Introduction.
• Evolution and Explanation.
• Discussion of Findings (1–2 pages).
• Conclusion.
• References.

Grading Criteria

Your paper will be graded according to the following criteria. Refer to the assessment template for detailed instructions on how to meet each of the following rubric criteria.

• Explain the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on healthcare access, quality, or cost.
• Discuss the chosen healthcare initiative, and its goals or impact on the healthcare system.
• Explain how these policies have influenced the Healthcare Quality Initiative legislation and the quality of care.
• Address all the assessment components with writing is clear, well-organized, and demonstrates proper use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure, with minimal errors.
• Apply APA formatting to in-text citations and references.

Additional Requirements

• Length: 3–5 double-spaced pages, not counting the title and reference pages.
• Font and Spacing: Double spaced using Times New Roman, 12-point font.
• Sources: Use a minimum of six resources. These can include your textbook and other course resources.
• Evidence and APA: Support all points with credible evidence following APA citation format. Refer to Evidence and APA Citation in the Capella Writing Center for help with using APA style.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 1: Explain how U.S. healthcare reform policies impact healthcare access, quality, and cost.
  • Explain the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on healthcare access, quality, or cost.
  • Discuss the chosen healthcare initiative and its goals or impact on the healthcare system.
  • Explain how these policies have influenced the Healthcare Quality Initiative legislation and the quality of care.
• Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is professional and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others.
  • Address all the assessment components with writing that is clear, well-organized, and demonstrates proper use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure, with minimal errors.
  • Apply APA formatting to in-text citations and references.
  PART B 2003
• Create a presentation for a lunch-and-learn session in which you discuss the practice’s operational priorities across the continuum of care.Collapse All

  Introduction

  The continuum of care includes all the healthcare services a person might need, from prenatal to end-of-life, or preventive care to treatment and recovery. It focuses on keeping care connected and organized across different stages of health and providers. Primary care involves routine check-ups and basic healthcare needs. Secondary care includes specialists for more specific conditions. Tertiary care focuses on advanced treatments, like surgeries or specialized therapies. Quaternary care provides highly complex and rare services, such as experimental treatments.Healthcare administrators work in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The smaller the organization, the more “hats” they wear. Larger organizations always have a C-Suite management team, which includes the board of directors, chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operations officer (COO), chief medical officer (CMO), chief nursing officer (CNO), chief compliance officer (CCO), and chief information officer (CIO).For this assessment, imagine you have taken a job as an administrator at a physician's practice that belongs to a large accountable care organization (ACO). This ACO includes three hospitals, several clinics, and services like pharmacies, surgery centers, and other facilities, all connected within a vertically integrated delivery system. One of your first tasks is to hold a lunch-and-learn session where you meet your team, introduce yourself, and talk about the practice’s operational priorities across the continuum of care.

  Preparation

  • View the preparation video:
    • Prepare for Managing Quality Across the Continuum of Care.
  • To search for additional sources beyond the ones provided in the course resources:
    • Use the Health Care Administration Undergraduate Library Guide. Click on the Healthcare Ecosystem section and scroll down to Continuum of Care.
    • Using the Capella University Library, you can find many articles on the topics for this assessment by searching for source articles and background information on “continuum of care,” “case management,” “healthcare ecosystem,” and other common terms provided to you in the course materials.

  Instructions

  Follow the requirements listed below to create your presentation. In the Notes section of the PowerPoint, add the script that you would follow in a real lunch-and-learn session. Include in-text citations of your sources in the slides and in the Notes. Your presentation does not need to have an audio recording.

  Slide-by-Slide Structure for the Presentation

  Title Slide

  • Title: Managing Quality Across Various Healthcare Settings in an ACO.
  • Subtitle: Overview of Key Operational Priorities Across the Continuum of Care.
  • Include presenter’s name, position, and date.

  Agenda Slide

  • List the main goals of the lunch-and-learn session.
  • Summarize key topics covered in the presentation: Continuum of Care, Quality Standards in Practice, and Operational Approach in an ACO.

  Introduction Slide

  • Provide a professional introduction (1 paragraph) detailing the background and experience relevant to managing in an ACO.
  • Include a brief overview of the goals for the lunch-and-learn.

  Continuum of Care Slide

  • Explain in detail where the physician's practice fits within the continuum of care.
    • Describe where the physician's practice and its partners (hospitals, clinics, and ancillary services within the ACO) fall within the continuum of patient care.
    • Summarize an article that discusses the positioning of these facilities within a vertically integrated healthcare delivery system and how they contribute to the continuum of care.

  Care Quality in an ACO Setting Slide

  • Describe how the physician’s practice maximizes patient care quality in coordination with ACO facilities, addressing value-based care, patient experiences, or operational efficiency.
    • Emphasize quality standards such as:
      • Value-based care and reimbursement models.
      • Positive patient experiences across multiple care locations.
      • Operational efficiency in a vertically integrated system.

  Operational Approach in a Vertically Integrated System Slide

  • Explain how the physician’s practice communicates and collaborates with other ACO facilities to main quality, efficiency, or effectiveness in patient care.
    • For example, referrals from primary care to specialty care, to acute care to rehabilitation or home healthcare.
    • Describe the methods of communication and coordination among ACO facilities.
    • Summarize strategies for fostering efficient and effective care across multiple locations within the ACO.
    • Present findings from a peer-reviewed article on operational strategies in a vertically integrated healthcare delivery system.

  Conclusion Slide

  • Summarize the main topics discussed during the lunch-and-learn continuum of care, care quality in an ACO, and the operational approach.
  • Draw conclusions based on information from the peer-reviewed articles, offering examples to demonstrate how these ideas can be applied in the ACO context.

  Reference Slide

  • List all references in APA format for the articles and resources used throughout the presentation.

  Additional Requirements

  • Length: Your PowerPoint must contain a minimum of 8–10 slides, including a title slide and a references slide.
  • Content Requirements: Use clear and concise bullet points, visuals, and graphics to support the presentation’s themes.
  • APA Style: Cite sources throughout your slides and in the speaker notes as needed. Include a References slide in APA format. Refer to Evidence and APA Citation in the Capella Writing Center for help with using APA style.

  Competencies Measured

  By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
  • Competency 2: Illustrate how healthcare management approaches differ in various healthcare settings throughout the continuum of care.
    • Explain where the physician practice fits within the continuum of care.
    • Describe how the physician’s practice maximizes patient care quality in coordination with ACO facilities, addressing value-based care, patient experiences, or operational efficiency.
    • Explain how the physician’s practice communicates and collaborates with other ACO facilities to main quality, efficiency, or effectiveness in patient care.
  • Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is professional and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others.
    • Address all the assessment components with writing that is clear, well-organized, and demonstrates proper use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure, with minimal errors.
    • Apply APA formatting to in-text citations and references.
    PART C 2003
  • Use a template to identify roles, responsibilities, qualifications, and ethical requirements of healthcare professionals. Collapse All

    Introduction

    In today’s healthcare system, teamwork across disciplines is crucial for delivering high-quality care. These teams include a variety of professionals, such as providers, administrators, and allied health specialists, each bringing unique skills and knowledge. Providers, like doctors and nurse practitioners, focus on diagnosing and directly treating patients.Administrators are key to keeping operations smooth by managing patient records, ensuring compliance with regulations, and overseeing operational workflows that support the entire multi-disciplinary teams. Allied health professionals, including radiologic technologists and physical therapists, offer specialized services that assist with diagnosis, treatment, and patient recovery. Working together, these roles create a well-rounded approach to care, allowing healthcare teams to effectively meet complex patient needs.

    Preparation

    View the preparation video:
    • Prepare for the Treasure Hunt.

    Instructions

    Use the Treasure Hunt: Roles and Responsibilities of Healthcare Professionals Template [DOCX] to complete the assessment. The template is a treasure hunt to build a foundation to better understand healthcare professionals core requirements and how they work together to provide holistic patient care across various settings. 
    1. Choose Roles: Select two roles in each of the three categories [six roles total] Located in Appendix A of the template:
       • Providers: Healthcare professionals with a terminal degree or advanced practice certification (e.g., Primary Care Physician, Nurse Practitioner).
       • Administrators: Healthcare professionals focused on healthcare management, data management, or patient services (e.g., Healthcare Administrator, Medical Office Manager).
       • Allied Health Professionals: Specialists who provide diagnostic, therapeutic, or support services (e.g., Radiologic Technologist, Physical Therapist).
    2. Research Each Column: For each chosen role, complete each data column based on the definitions provided in Appendix B. Use reliable sources, such as peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, or trusted healthcare websites, to find accurate information. Below is a guide to each column: 
       • Healthcare Professional Role: Write the title of each professional role, such as "Primary Care Physician" or "Radiologic Technologist."
       • Primary Responsibility: Summarize the main duties and daily tasks for each role, describing what these professionals are responsible for in a healthcare setting.
       • Qualifications [Degree Level]: State the minimum educational level needed for each role, including any specific degrees (e.g., MD for a medical doctor,  Associate’s degree for a select technician and so on).
       • Certifications [If required]: List any required certifications or licenses needed to practice legally in each role, such as board certification, state licensure, or specialty certifications.
       • Scope of Practice: Define the types of activities, treatments, or services each professional can legally perform, noting any limitations or variations based on state or facility.
       • Ethical Requirements: Describe the ethical guidelines that professionals in each role must follow, such as patient confidentiality, informed consent, and professionalism.

    Additional Requirements

    • Complete the Template: Fill in the information for each selected role using the provided template. Be concise and accurate in your descriptions.
    • Cite Your Sources: Include at least three reliable sources with APA citations for each role. Refer to Evidence and APA Citation in the Capella Writing Center for help with using APA style.
    • Writing: Demonstrate clarity and accuracy in your entries. Respect the diversity and professional integrity of each role described.

    Competencies Measured

    By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
    • Competency 3: Describe the roles and responsibilities of different healthcare professionals.
      • Identify two roles from each category (Providers, Administrators, Allied Health Professionals).
      • Complete the role descriptions for each role (Responsibilities, Qualifications, Certifications, Scope of Practice, Ethical Requirements).
    • Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is professional and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others.
      • Address all the assessment components with writing that is clear, well-organized, and demonstrates proper use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure, with minimal errors.
      • Apply APA formatting to in-text citations and references.
      PART D 3700
    • Write a 2–3 page article on interpersonal conflict. Define conflict and explain how communication behaviors and individual differences contribute to interpersonal conflict. Recommend a strategy for resolving interpersonal conflict.Collapse All

      Introduction

      What is conflict? Why does it occur? What can be done to prevent it, and—perhaps more importantly—what can we learn from conflict? How can we transform conflict situations from negative to positive?Conflict arises due to varied perspectives, belief systems, and values. It is natural and common to disagree and to experience conflict. However, there are important differences between constructive and destructive conflict. One tool for examining destructive conflict is what Berry and Hocker (2025) describe as "the four horsemen" of destructive conflict—criticizing, defensiveness, stonewalling, and contempt (p. 22).Communication behaviors also play a critical role in conflict. Krauss and Morsella describe four paradigms of communication (as cited in Coleman, Deutsch, & Marcus, 2014). These paradigms are encoding/decoding, intentionalist, perspective-talking, and dialogic.

      References

      Coleman, P., Deutsch, M., & Marcus, C. (Eds.). (2014). The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice (3rd ed.). Wiley.Berry, K., & Hocker, J. L. (2025). Interpersonal conflict (EG). McGraw-Hill.

      Objective

      To explore the nature of conflict, its causes, and methods for prevention and resolution. You will also reflect on the lessons conflict can teach and how to turn negative situations into positive experiences.Suppose you have been asked to write an article on interpersonal conflict for a local organization with which you are affiliated. You may choose any type of interpersonal conflict, such as between spouses, among family members, between members of a social group, or other, but your focus must be interpersonal conflict.

      Instructions

      1. What Is Conflict?
         • Define conflict in your own words.
         • Explain why conflict is a natural and common part of life.
      2. Why Does Conflict Occur?
         • Discuss the reasons conflict arises, including differences in perspectives, belief systems, and values.
         • Provide examples of common conflicts you might encounter in daily life (e.g., disagreements with friends, family, or classmates).
      3. Preventing Conflict
         • Suggest ways to prevent conflict from escalating.
         • Highlight the importance of good communication and understanding different viewpoints.
      4. Learning From Conflict
         • Reflect on the potential benefits of experiencing conflict.
         • Explain how handling conflict well can improve relationships and personal growth.
      5. Transforming Conflict From Negative to Positive
         • Describe the difference between constructive and destructive conflict.
         • Explain "the four horsemen" of destructive conflict as described by Berry and Hocker (2025) in our Interpersonal Conflict text: criticizing, defensiveness, stonewalling, and contempt.
         • Provide strategies for transforming conflict into a positive experience. Focus on constructive behaviors such as clear communication, active listening, and empathy.
      6. Communication Behaviors in Conflict
         • Discuss the four paradigms of communication described by Krauss and Morsella (as cited in Coleman, Deutsch, & Marcus, 2014): encoding/decoding, intentionalist, perspective-taking, and dialogic.
         • Explain how these communication behaviors can help in managing and resolving conflicts.

      Submission Guidelines

      • Your paper should be 2–3 pages long, double-spaced, and written in a clear, concise manner.
      • Cite at least three current scholarly or professional resources.
        • Follow APA guidelines for your in-text citations and references. Use APA format for citations and references. Academic Writer has additional guidance, examples, and tools you can use for researching, writing, and formatting your paper and for citing and referencing resources in APA style. See the Writing Center for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
      • Include a title page and a references page (these do not count towards the page limit).

      Competencies Measured

      By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
      • Competency 2: Apply theoretical perspectives on conflict.
        • Define conflict.
        • Describe communication behaviors that can lead to conflict.
      • Competency 3: Apply appropriate strategies to reduce or resolve conflicts.
        • Recommend a strategy to resolve interpersonal conflict.
      • Competency 4: Analyze the impact of conflict on relationship building in face-to-face, virtual, cyber, and group communication.
        • Explain how communication behaviors affect interpersonal relationships.
        • Explain how individual differences contribute to interpersonal conflict.
      • Competency 6: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
        • Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate APA format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
        PART E 3700
      • Develop a 3–4 page report on how conflict can affect an organization. Describe reasons for conflict and explain the role of both functional and dysfunctional conflict in institutional change. Recommend strategies for resolving both functional and dysfunctional conflict.Collapse All

        Introduction

        Institutional conflict can be either functional or dysfunctional. From the functional perspective, conflict is productive because it encourages members of the institution to learn, improve, and develop creativity and problem-solving skills. Conversely, conflict can be dysfunctional when it threatens the structure and stability of an institution or stifles creativity and change. However, if managed properly, conflict can lead to growth and improvement for both individuals and the institution as a whole.

        Objective

        To explore the nature of conflict within institutions, its causes, and how change can be effectively managed. You will analyze real-world examples and propose strategies for transforming conflict into positive change within an institutional setting.

        Preparation

        Search the Capella library and the Internet for scholarly or professional articles that address institutional conflict and institutional change. You will need at least three articles or resources to use in this assessment.

        Instructions

        Complete the following:
        • Describe at least three reasons for conflict within an institution or organization. How might individual differences and perceptions contribute to the conflict?
        • Explain the role of functional conflict in institutional change.
        • Explain the role of dysfunctional conflict in institutional change.
        • Recommend one conflict resolution strategy organizational leadership could use with functional conflict.
        • Recommend one conflict resolution strategy organizational leadership could use with dysfunctional conflict.
        Format this assessment as a professional report. Use appropriate headings and support your statements with the resources you located. Follow APA guidelines for your in-text citations and references.

        Additional Requirements

        • Submit 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages, not including title and reference pages.
        • Use 12-point, Times New Roman font.
        • Include a title page and reference page.
        • Use appropriate headings and support your statements with the resources you located.
        • Cite at least three current scholarly or professional resources.
          • Follow APA guidelines for your in-text citations and references. Academic Writer has additional guidance, examples, and tools you can use for researching, writing, and formatting your paper and for citing and referencing resources in APA style. See the Writing Center for more APA resources specific to your degree level.

        Competencies Measured

        By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
        • Competency 1: Identify variables within an organizational structure that can promote conflict.
          • Describe reasons for conflict within an institution or organization.
        • Competency 3: Apply appropriate strategies to reduce or resolve conflicts.
          • Recommend a conflict resolution strategy for functional conflict.
          • Recommend a conflict resolution strategy for dysfunctional conflict.
        • Competency 4: Analyze the impact of conflict on relationship building in face-to-face, virtual, cyber, and group communication.
          • Explain the role of functional conflict in institutional change.
          • Explain the role of dysfunctional conflict in institutional change.
        • Competency 6: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
          • Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
          PART F
        • Research and analyze a public figure's social media conflict and create a presentation that tells their story and explains social media's impact on the conflict.Collapse All

          Introduction

          Social media has significantly influenced how interpersonal conflicts arise, escalate, and are resolved. The constant connectivity provided by social platforms increases opportunities for misunderstandings, as text-based communication often lacks the non-verbal cues essential for accurately interpreting messages. This can lead to frequent and intense disagreements. Moreover, the anonymity and distance of online interactions embolden individuals to express opinions more aggressively than they might face-to-face, exacerbating conflicts. The public nature of social media also means that conflicts can quickly escalate, drawing in a wider audience and adding pressure to the involved parties. However, social media also offers tools for conflict resolution, such as blocking or muting users and engaging in private conversations, as well as access to broader support networks that can provide valuable perspectives and aid in conflict management. Overall, while social media can amplify interpersonal conflicts, it also presents opportunities for improved communication and resolution if used thoughtfully.

          Instructions

          For this assessment, tell a visual and written story, with an audio recording of your voice, that explains how social media can impact conflict involving a public figure. To do this, create a 10–12 slide PowerPoint presentation in which you use text and visuals to support your audio narration of your slides.Note that one of the qualities of a good PowerPoint presentation is not having too much text on each slide. Use the slide notes feature to expand on your slide content and describe your points in more detail. You might think of these notes as the script for your oral narrative.For recording your narration, you can use several options, such as PowerPoint, Kaltura, or Zoom. You can record your voice alone or include yourself on video. For example, PowerPoint gives you the option to record your voice alone or include a webcam video of yourself. For additional information about creating and recording your presentation, please review the Effective Presentations resource.

          Research and Selection

          1. Select a Public Figure:
             • Choose a public figure who has been involved in a social media conflict. This can be a celebrity, politician, athlete, or any other prominent individual.
             • Ensure there is enough information available to analyze the conflict in detail.
          2. Gather Information:
             • Collect at least three credible sources that provide information about the conflict. These can include news articles, social media posts, interviews, and academic articles.
             • Summarize the key points from each source, highlighting the main aspects of the conflict and the public figure’s involvement.

          Analysis

          1. Conflict Description:
             1. Provide a detailed description of the conflict. Include information on:
                • The background and context of the conflict.
                • The main parties involved.
                • How the conflict started and escalated.
                • The role of social media in escalation and/or de-escalation of the conflict.
          2. Communication Behaviors:
             • Analyze the communication behaviors of the public figure and other parties involved. Discuss how these behaviors contributed to the conflict.
             • Identify any specific posts, comments, or interactions that were pivotal in the conflict’s development.
          3. Impact and Consequences:
             • Discuss the impact of the conflict on the public figure’s reputation, relationships, and career.
             • Analyze the broader societal impact, if applicable.
          4. Conflict Resolution:
             • Describe any steps taken to resolve the conflict. Were they effective? Why or why not?
             • Recommend strategies that could have been used to manage and resolve the conflict more effectively.

          Assessment Requirements

          Your presentation should meet the following requirements:
          • Written communication: Presentation is well organized and engaging.
          • Visual communication: Use of images is professional and supports the ideas presented on the slides.
          • Audio communication: Record your voice narrating each slide.
          • Research: Collect at least three credible sources that provide information about the conflict. These can include news articles, social media posts, interviews, and academic articles.
          • Length: 10–12 slides.
          • APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style and format.
            • Academic Writer has additional guidance, examples, and tools you can use for researching, writing, and formatting your paper and for citing and referencing resources in APA style. See the Writing Center for more APA resources specific to your degree level.

          Competencies Measured

          By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
          • Competency 1: Identify variables within an organizational structure that can promote conflict.
            • Choose a public figure who has been involved in a social media conflict and provide detailed description of conflict.
          • Competency 2: Apply theoretical perspectives on conflict.
            • Discuss the impact of the conflict on the public figure’s reputation, relationships, and career.
          • Competency 3: Apply appropriate strategies to reduce or resolve conflicts.
            • Recommend strategies that could have been used to manage and resolve the conflict more effectively.
          • Competency 4: Analyze the impact of conflict on relationship building in face-to-face, virtual, cyber, and group communication.
            • Collect at least three credible sources regarding the conflict and summarize key points from each source.
          • Competency 5: Evaluate the outcome of proposed strategies of conflict resolution.
            • Incorporate relevant communication theories or conflict management styles to explain the dynamics of the conflict and propose resolution strategies.
          • Competency 6: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
            • Create an audiovisual presentation that articulates meaning relevant to its purpose and audience.
            PART G
          • Develop a 3–4 page plan to identify the causes of organizational conflict, explain how conflict affects an organization, and select a conflict resolution style to use. Explain conflict negotiation strategies and determine the likely outcomes.Collapse All

            Introduction

            The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped the workplace by necessitating a rapid shift to remote work for many employees worldwide. To mitigate the spread of the virus, governments implemented lockdowns and social distancing measures. Employers responded by closing offices and transitioning employees to remote work to reduce physical interactions. Many businesses had already adopted cloud computing, video conferencing, and collaboration tools, which facilitated remote work capabilities. This technological infrastructure enabled employees to continue their work remotely without significant interruptions.Initially viewed as a temporary solution, remote work quickly became a long-term strategy as the pandemic persisted. Companies recognized its feasibility and benefits, such as increased flexibility, productivity in some cases, and reduced overhead costs associated with maintaining office spaces.Recently companies have begun implementing “return to office” protocols, which have received mixed responses from employees. While some employees appreciate in-person collaboration and the opportunity to build stronger relationships in-person, many employees cite work-life balance, flexibility, and cost savings as arguments for the continuance of remote employment.

            The Importance of Negotiation

            Disagreements occur because people have differences of opinions, values, and goals. Solutions to disagreements require negotiation skills. Negotiations can be either competitive (“I want my goals met and I don’t care about yours”) or integrative (“We have to reach a mutually satisfying conclusion”) (Berry & Hocker, 2025, p. 292). While negotiating, the parties should brainstorm to invent new and creative options to meet everyone’s needs (Berry & Hocker, 2025, p. 316).

            Reference

            Berry, K., & Hocker, J. L. (2025). Interpersonal conflict (EG). McGraw-Hill.

            Preparation

            Use the Capella library and the Internet to research conflict negotiation strategies and conflict resolution styles. Find at least three resources to use in this assessment to support your plan.

            Instructions

            Review the following scenario and develop conflict resolution strategies for employees:You are part of a Human Resources team for ABC Manufacturing, a mid-sized manufacturing company based in downtown Chicago that transitioned to a fully remote work model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Departments include production, purchasing, marketing, technical, accounting, HR, and customer service. The employee workforce is diverse in terms of culture, socioeconomic status, age, and gender. For over two years, employees have successfully worked from home, utilizing digital tools and platforms to collaborate and maintain productivity. However, the company's leadership has decided that it is essential for team cohesion and innovation to return to an in-office work model. A new policy mandates that all employees must return to the office five days a week, starting next month.The CEO, Lisa Morgan, sent an email to all employees announcing the new return-to-office policy. The email highlights the perceived benefits of in-person collaboration, including improved communication, stronger team relationships, and enhanced creativity. The policy will take effect in one month, giving employees time to adjust their schedules and make necessary arrangements.
            • Positive Reaction: Some employees, like Mark from the marketing team, are excited about the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues face-to-face and believe that in-person meetings will lead to more dynamic brainstorming sessions.
            • Negative Reaction: Others, like Jane from the technical team, are frustrated by the change. Jane has relocated to a different city during the remote work period, and commuting to the office five days a week would be highly inconvenient and costly.
            What strategies can you implement that address employee concerns and reduce friction?

            Developing a Change Management Plan

            • Outline a step-by-step plan for implementing the proposed conflict resolution strategies.
            • Include a timeline for the plan's execution and the roles of different stakeholders in this process.
            • Discuss how the company will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the conflict resolution strategies.

            Additional Requirements

            • Submit 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages, not including title and reference pages.
            • Use 12-point, Times New Roman font.
            • Include a title page and reference page.
            • Cite at least three current scholarly or professional resources.

            Competencies Measured

            By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
            • Competency 1: Identify variables within an organizational structure that can promote conflict.
              • Identify the factors responsible for conflict within an organization.
            • Competency 3: Apply appropriate strategies to reduce or resolve conflicts.
              • Describe a conflict resolution style appropriate for a conflict situation within an organization.
              • Explain conflict negotiation strategies appropriate for a conflict situation within an organization.
            • Competency 4: Analyze the impact of conflict on relationship building in face-to-face, virtual, cyber, and group communication.
              • Explain how conflict affects an organization.
            • Competency 5: Evaluate the outcome of proposed strategies of conflict resolution.
              • Determine the outcomes of conflict negotiation strategies for an organization.
            • Competency 6: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
              • Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate APA format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.