Purpose: The purpose of this paper is the presentation of a learning model for a manager and employee working collaboratively to make advances in knowledge, skills, work performance and in the quality of their relationship. The model is called reciprocal action learning. Design/methodology/approach: The approach was to examine concepts and…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of communities of practice in organizations and their most beneficial effects for both individual and collective development. Design/Methodology/Approach: Based on a literature review, from the first authoritative texts by Lave and Wenger until the most recent critiques, the paper has…

In the UK, the Civil Service Reform Plan is being implemented with urgency. This requires Civil Service departments and agencies to reform their structures and ways of working in order to deliver effective services in a climate of economic austerity and rapid social and technological change. Historically, Human Resource (HR) professionals have…

There are two major categories of explanation for organisational performance: structural and individual. With the shift away from systems-theoretic accounts that occurred in the 1980s, structural explanations have been replaced increasingly by the individualism of leadership and leader-centric explanations, especially when it comes to schools. In…

Change theories and Organization Development strategies have long followed the problem-solving approach of looking at organizations, identifying the weaknesses and introducing interventions to "stop doing the wrong things." In its simplest form, this approach has been successful in a variety of situations and has a popular following. Consultants…

Problem-based learning focuses on small groups using authentic problems as a means to help participants obtain knowledge and problem-solving skills. This approach makes problem-based learning ideal for teaching lean manufacturing, which is driven by a culture of problem solving that values learning as one key output of manufacturing production.…

Purpose: Knowledge management (KM) as a field has been characterized by great confusion about its conceptual foundations and scope, much to the detriment of assessments of its impact and track record. The purpose of this paper is to contribute toward defining the scope of KM and ending the confusion, by presenting a conceptual framework and set of…

This article draws on the experience of such firms as People Express, General Motors, and Digital Equipment Corporation to illustrate successful transition from quality circle participation to full participation in management. (CT)

Considers derivation of the strategy concept and its deployment as a managerial planning technique. Examines the related growth of school development planning, exploring ways it might be considered strategic. Using strategy in organizations is no longer either possible or appropriate. Proposes an alternative planning basis derived from marginal…

A model for organizational analysis is described and applied to two problems in a community college context: remedial instruction and collective bargaining. The model assesses the institution's superordinate goals, strategy, structure, systems, staff, style, and management skills. (MSE)

This paper addresses doubts concerning the reliability of knowledge being created by double loop learning processes. Popper's ontological worlds are used to explore the philosophical basis of the way that individual experiences are turned into organisational knowledge, and such knowledge is used to generate organisational learning. The paper…

Adaptation of the Total Quality Management approach to organizational improvement at Oregon State University involved creation of 10 pilot finance and administration teams and implementation of a 10-step problem-solving process. The approach has improved staff morale as well as client services. (MSE)

Structural problems and political issues that must be overcome for the Texas A&M University Japanese branch campus to be successful are explored. It is concluded that the university must have clear priorities and attainable goals and garner the support and expertise of regional and national authorities in Japan. (MSE)

Organizational design for change of teacher education institutions should focus on the shaping of political activities through forums, arenas, and courts. Forums provide the medium for expression and competition of alternate ideas in the institution, and arenas are the medium for achieving group objectives through cooperation, contest, or…

Eight approaches to organizational change and problem solving that use large-scale events and involve a broad range of stakeholders are described, and their applications to college administration are discussed. They include future searches; open space technology; interactive design method; home-grown events such as retreats; great teaching…