Religious Organizations Discussion
Understanding Step One in PBL
When faced with a problem, people usually jump quickly to trying to find solutions to the problem. This is a
natural reaction, but it is just that; a reaction. It is not a responsive, systematic approach to solving the
problem. In problem-based learning, we purposely take one step at a time to solve the problem. Step One
in PBL requires identification and investigation of the problem. Identifying the problem means clearly
stating it in its simplest form. Investigating it means systematically examining it to better understand it. The
goal of the team for Step One is to establish what is known about the problem.
The Context of the Problem
In PBL Step 1 of this course, your focus is on an industry analysis. Your instructor will assign an industry to
each PBL team to research for the balance of the course. The following are industries representative for
the type of industries used in this course. Your instructor will assign an industry to your PBL team to focus
on for the balance of this course.
Churches (2017 NAICS code 813110 Religious Organizations)
Higher Education (2017 NAICS code 611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools)
Healthcare provider (2017 NAICS category 62 Health Care and Social Assistance)
Primary education (2017 NAICS Definition 611110 Elementary and Secondary Schools
Government agency: state, county or city. ( 2017 NAICS category 92 Public Administration)
Nonprofit Industry
Investigating the Problem
In this course, the problem/opportunity you will investigate from a marketing perspective is how an
industry/organization best creates value for its stakeholders. A Porters Five Forces analysis can provide
helpful information about an industry to identify its stakeholders, as well as its strengths and vulnerabilities.
Examples of an industry weakness is the possibility of close substitutes outside the industry and/or the
relativity high power of buyers within the industry. Also important to know is what are the stakeholders
cultural distinctives and how do they influence marketing? An industry analysis can help determine some
preliminary steps for an industry/organization to better create value. For PBL Step 1, the PBL teams
deliverable is a Porters Five Forces analysis of their assigned industry.
