The need for measurement of management productivity among research administrators is discussed. Some major problems of subjective assessment of management productivity are examined, and five ways managers can assess and improve their own and others' productivity are proposed. (MSE)

The adaptation of a typical corporate strategic planning process to a midwestern state university is discussed. The university found that an ongoing planning process with a yearly cycle offers several advantages not available with prior approaches, and that strategic planning is a culture that takes time before it becomes pervasive in any…

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)

Discusses why listening is important in school communication. Provides an overview of common barriers to effective listening and a synthesis of what can be done to improve listening skills. (SRT)

Application of organizational models to the study of schools distinguishes rational, bureaucratic ideal types from natural, loosely coupled systems. Study of these models applied to selected schools in Australia and New Zealand illustrates that no one model fully describes schools. Factors that result in schools resembling certain models are…

Administrators who have been successful in recruiting minority faculty members suggest that institutions develop innovative, goal-oriented affirmative action plans, challenge entrenched campus attitudes, find new ways of seeking out qualified applicants, and prevent unwritten campus rules from hindering the process. (MSE)

The study of work, the experience of work, and how work is organized does not constitute an category of study within the mainstream social sciences. Students need to be introduced to the varieties of capitalist and noncapitalist models or experiments and confront the debate over organizational form versus social context. (MLW)

The implications for researchers and administrators are considered if the organizational environment is interpreted as "enacted." Objective and enacted environments are differentiated and the ways are suggested for how administrators might identify what they need to do and how they do it, given the socially constructed organization in which they…

Identifies four conditions which cause merit pay systems to fail to increase teacher performance: lack of skills, the poor timing of rewards, an inability to measure performance; and competing reinforcers. Explains why organizational culture is a more effective mediator of rewards. (SD)

The ideal student government and the ideal student government adviser were discussed by advisers who met at the NACA National Student Government Workshop. Key issues in a strong student government are described including information, access, mutual respect, and institutional impact. (MLW)

Central to the emerging concept of transforming leadership is recognition of the importance of the vision of the leader. The leader can pull members toward a desirable future by describing and living a vision of an improved organizational condition so that members will be willing to change. (MLW)

Describes how a small proprietary college, rooted in a community, can develop employer networks to place students in jobs and at the same time track market changes. Argues that firm links with local employers enables the college to translate demands for employees into new programs. (AYC)

Summarizes the expansion of education in the West Germany up to 1980. Examines the progress of the 1980s in view of unemployment and growing difficulties on entering a profession. Among the findings are a decline in enrollment of 20-24 year olds and a growth in opportunities for the children of immigrants. (Author/GEA)

This essay on the future of reference librarianship addresses elements necessary to guarantee continued vitality of the profession. Discussion covers person-to-person contacts with library users, recreational functions of library, fees and "information stamps," organizational structure of library, information consulting, project-team…

Discussion of current status of growth and differentiation of technology (computers and software) in academe addresses issues related to the supply (organizational learning, and recognition and management of information technology's benefits) and demand (standards for and utility of public databases, appreciation of technology's costs, and…