Strategic planning models seek order in a disorderly world. However, chaos science offers a language of concepts to discern deeper patterns in organizational life that appears out of control. Many of these concepts apply to higher education institutions. Interpretation of chaos theory principles suggests five tools for making high-leverage change…

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) "risk contracts," under which HMOs cover Medicare-eligible individuals, are explained; and the costs, benefits, and coverage are compared with those of other managed care options. Employers with retiree medical plans are encouraged to consider using HMO risk contracts for both short- and long-term…

A discussion of ways to remedy women's wage disadvantage in higher education looks briefly at affirmative action, then more extensive examines the principle of comparable worth, including advantages of implementing a comparable worth program, criteria for judging worth, bias-free job evaluation, and making comparable worth adjustments. (MSE)

The approach chosen to award pay for performance is not as important as the need to assess the organization's commitment to merit, the quality of the relationship with employees, and the ability to do a fair job. With careful implementation, merit pay systems can be mutually rewarding. (MSE)