On the long and short forms of management-concern items (zone 1) in the ALRA

On the long and short forms of management-concern items in the ALRA:

In my blog notes on examples of formulation of management-concern items [for zone 1], I have pointed out the relevant considerations involved, which are item expression structure, the variable nature of the items, with hints on linkages with other management-concern items (re: example 1), the management-concern in nature of the items, and specific organizational unit of analysis standpoint (re: example 2). The examples subsequently illustrate how to provide management-concern items formulated with meaning clarity and analysis-facilitation strengths. Nevertheless, high clarity of management-concern item formulation has its cost; it is quite lengthy; putting a set of lengthy items in a management-concerns diagram could be a bit overwhelming for readers to digest. Thus, there is a need to distinguish two forms of management-concern items: the long form and the short form. Two examples are provided in the following table:

The long form of management-concern items	The short form of management-concern items
1.1: Unclear how to introduce effective AI application(s) in  the service operation of ABC Ltd, notably on  tedious task automation	1.2: Unclear on effective AI application in ABC service operation
2.1: Unclear about the AI impacts on service operation on the XXX business sector with special regard to its competitive landscape	2.2: Unclear AI impacts on the competitive landscape of the XXX business sector

Using the short form of management-concern items, in lieu of the long form, to construct the management-concerns diagram makes the diagram less wordy, thus easier to grasp the overall situation as portrayed by the management-concerns diagram. The management-concerns items, in long form, are then employed in the description of the management-concerns diagram in dissertation report writing. Thus, the management-concerns items in the diagram can still be clarified in the report writing.

Note: the the task of item formulation for zone 3a (outcomes-related) is more straightforward, thus the issue of long and short forms does not arise in most situations. Examples of zone 3a items are:

Example 1: worried about the high staff turnover at the retail outlets of ABC Ltd.

Example 2: unhappy about the present business performance as well as its prospect of the Consulting Division of ABC Ltd.

The same situation applies to zone 3b (solutions-related) items. It is straightforward. Examples of zone 3b items are:

Example 1: Unclear how to formulate an effective AI system to support the staff recruitment function of ABC Ltd.

Example 2: Unclear how to improve the existing marketing communication program of ABC Ltd.

A related reading: example 3.