Purpose: This paper aims to demonstrate how the Nordic model, featuring highly regulated trade union-employer collaboration, has enabled the building of learning organizations through a co-generative learning model involving both practitioners and action researchers. Design/methodology/approach: A literature search on the Nordic sociotechnical…

The purpose of this article is to analyse the nature of the global hegemonies in higher education. While anti-colonial thinkers describe the dominance of the Western paradigm as an oppression of indigenous culture and knowledge and as neo-colonialism in higher education, their arguments lead to such questions as how much self-determination do…

Power in the university is seen as the academic division of labor that creates a number of self-sufficient units responsible for the production of academic work. Two kinds of reforms in higher education, efficiency and participation by disenfranchised groups, have affected the power structure of higher education institutions. (Author/MLW)

Five models commonly used to analyze change in the Swedish higher education system are described, and a sixth model related more to public administration than to education is proposed. The public administration model approaches higher education as a system of institutions interrelated by an authority structure, a relationship not fully considered…

A review of the published and unpublished literature on alternative perspectives for viewing organizations provides the basis for this monograph, which includes the contributions of five authors. The papers are intended to serve as a primer for educators interested in newer organizational perspectives and to stimulate them to learn more about, and…

Using a case study of a client with common problems in placing women in non-traditional positions, this speech raises questions of diagnosis and intervention and presents an alternative organizational model that is then applied to the case study. The organizational model emphasizes four components: (1) mission (purpose or rationale for existence…

Organizations go through life cycles that affect their behavior. Growth models often relate to leadership. In a study of one mental health center's development, growth is related to funding. If funding remains diversified and productivity is kept high, growth of a mature organization remains manageable. (JAC)

This report presents a theoretical model and a practical guide for a survey feedback-problem solving-collective decision intervention in educational systems. The intervention focuses on work roles and relationships; job function, authority, and communication patterns; and on reviewing group progress and problems. One objective of the strategy is…

A model for systematic development and reorganization of college governance systems consists of three processes: reviewing the existing governance structure; examining the concerns and interrelationships of individuals and groups; and pinpointing desired changes. All must be done in the context of linking governance to overall institutional…

Explains a conceptual model by Chris Argyris dealing with organizational conflict. Applies the theory to college residence halls. Suggests that resident assistants need more responsibility and authority. Urges that they be allowed more input into housing policy in order to improve living conditions and student satisfaction. (Author/JAC)

Scarce resources have facilitated increasing interdependence among organizations. This paper describes the group dynamics of the cooperation and collaboration models and examines which one is most suitable for maintaining effective group involvement. The cooperation model is comprised of two organizations that reach a mutual agreement; however,…

Discusses the connection between type of control structure for a school system and type of strategy for change that may be chosen. Shows that the mandator-controlled Swedish school system best corresponds to the "Developing the Organization" model of educational change. Describes a Swedish training program based on the model. (SB)

This paper attempts to provide a broad theoretical framework for understanding planning in organizations and other social systems; and it identifies the key conditions, processes, and structures of social systems in the planning concept. While other frameworks exist that detail singular aspects of planning as it actually occurs and describe…

Thirteen school districts, a regional training network, and a university in Florida formed a partnership to develop support for the implementation of the statewide plan, "Blueprint 2000." Funded by the Florida Department of Education, the partnership used a quality and systems framework for helping the schools and districts in their restructuring…

Research questions and literature pertaining to a conceptual model on productivity at the departmental level are discussed. The model can be pictured as involving three goal-achievement processes: faculty research, faculty teaching, and student learning. Items that constitute the goal achievement process are goals, committed resources, expended…