Discusses several studies that attempted to employ a Lawrence and Lorsch theory of organization in school settings. The theory relates organizational differentiation and integration to environmental demands. (Author/JF)

This analysis is an attempt to specify the purposes and factors in organizational change and continuity. Denial of the purposeful premise makes possible an environmental perspective that views the characteristics of organizations as a function of their adaptation to their environment. This approach is based on the premises that (1) change in what…

This article proposes an ecological model of human development as a framework for teacher development in the schools. It argues that an ecological perspective contains the necessary characteristics and criteria to provide both for school-based teacher development opportunities and for clinical research grounded in teaching practice. (TE)

This study examined the impact of institutional culture on the change process within colleges and universities. It used an ethnographic approach and two tiered cultural frameworks to investigate comprehensive change at six institutions. The conceptual frameworks of culture used were Berquist's theory of institutional archetypes of culture and…

This study develops a framework for transformational change in institutions of higher education that is both theoretically and empirically grounded and is context based. It reports on six ethnographic case studies of six institutions over a four year period. The six institutions in the study and their change initiatives included one research…

Organizational adaptation and types of adaptation needed in academe in the future are reviewed and major conceptual approaches to organizational adaptation are presented. The probable environment that institutions will face in the future that will require adaptation is discussed. (MLW)

A systems model, developed by David Easton, is used to provide some clarity to many of the issues involved with collective bargaining in American higher education. The model serves as an illustration for understanding how decisions are made, and as a conceptual frame of reference to analyze the political situation. The issues surrounding…

The paper provides a framework for identifying trends in planning in Latin American universities for the last 20 years. Identification of the planning trends is based on two main dimensions: the purpose of the relationship between universities and the external environment (organization-centered versus society-centered), and the degree by which the…

This report presents the results of a qualitative research study at three small independent colleges/universities on how literature-based strategic planning models compare with actual practices. Four critical aspects of strategic planning were identified: first, dealing with the future; second, understanding the organization's external…

The needs-press model, as operationalized by the Stern Activities Index (AI) and the Organizational Climate Index (OCI), was examined for its usefulness in evaluating and measuring organizational climate in a school setting. According to the model, needs represents personality and press represents the environment. This research was designed to…

Tribal college-state university collaborations were examined through interviews with 36 faculty and administrators from 9 tribal colleges in North and South Dakota and 4 state universities involved in collaborative efforts. The collaborative process was influenced by contextual, individual, organizational, collaboration, and empowerment factors.…

Research shows that small schools and schools within schools can yield positive outcomes for students and improved satisfaction and effectiveness among school staff. Small schools can be less costly than larger ones if judged by expenditure per graduate instead of cost per pupil enrolled. Examination of the policy environments of urban schools in…