The private sector has been moving toward the idea of consolidating administrative functions within organizations since the 1980s. While this sector has traditionally implemented shared services with cost reduction in mind, traditionally through economies of scale, many universities across the country have begun to explore the concept of managing…

This is a retrospective analysis of the performance of a large training program in a combat environment looked at through the lens of human performance technology. Van Tiem, Moseley, and Dessinger's performance improvement/HPT model and strategic, operational, and tactical levels are used to describe effective and ineffective applications of human…

This paper shows the implementation of "5S"--a Japanese concept of housekeeping--through action research methodology. The organisational issue it tackles is the cultural inhibition among the Indian population against cleaning. It uses soft systems methodology (SSM), action science and Schein's idea of clinical enquiry to bring about an…

This paper reviews three developments relating to professional staff in UK higher education. The first of these is a major report undertaken for the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE), which has re-conceptualised the activities of professional staff within a theoretical framework of identity (Whitchurch, 2008a). The other two…

In search of methods that improve the efficiency of teaching and training in organizations, several authors point out that mass customization (MC) is a principle that covers individual needs of knowledge and skills and, at the same time limits the development costs of customized training to those of mass training. MC is proven and established in…

This study examined the impact of a multicultural/social justice professional-organizational development project that was implemented at 5 universities across the United States. The results indicate increased organizational support for multicultural/social justice issues and gains in the participants' multicultural competence. The limitations of…

The author explains why creating new programs in an organization and maintaining the programs over time requires a good program leader, integration into the organization, and constant attention to barriers and pitfalls. (CT)

This article explores the barriers to successful implementation of organizational strategy. Drawing from the few key research works available, this article distills a list of core reasons for organizational strategy implementation failure and suggests several roles for Human Resource Development (HRD) professionals in addressing these barriers to…

Presents four stages frequently associated with the stages of an organization's life cycle: experimentation, growth, maturity, and decline or stability. The author also demonstrates that the impact of employment and thus training related to organizational life cycles suggests a need for understanding the technical preparation required for…

The author explains why he favors a systems-oriented approach to organizational development that conceives of the total organization of a system or a family of systems and develops all of them comprehensively. The four systems in this approach are technical, social, administrative, and strategic. (CT)

The term "peer consultation," like the term "teaching," encompasses many methods and strategies. Some confusion about peer consultation (often called "peer coaching") stems from lack of understanding about how these procedures use peers (fellow teachers) as observers, mentors, coaches, or collaborators. To dispel…

Discusses Theory Z, the Japanese philosophy of work and job training. Examines the 13-step matrix of this theory. These steps include: knowing the company's organization and management philosophy; implementing the philosophy; developing interpersonal skills; testing oneself and the system; involving the union; and stabilizing employment. (CT)

Purpose: This research examines the level of perception and implementation of 11 identified knowledge management (KM) success factors and their differences among the information and communication technology (ICT) companies operating in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: The survey data was obtained from a study of 427 middle managers from 194…

This report describes how staff at the school, cluster, and central offices have responded to the Philadelphia district's new student support ethos. This report does not present student outcome data or measure the quantity or quality of services because the evaluation teams believed it was too early in the implementation of the initiative to…

The author offers advice on what organizations can do to enhance the mentoring process. She discusses finding a relevant focus, collecting data about the factors that promote and inhibit developmental relationships, implementing change, evaluating and monitoring impact, and taking the time to involve organizational members in a collaborative…