Schools are essentially human systems; without people they are nothing but wood, concrete, and paper. Yet, the people who make up schools -- professionals, parents, service personnel, and students -- often form into ineffective and poorly coordinated groups, much in the way that employees in the bureaucracies of industry and government become…

The purpose of this study was to assess any changes in cognitions and attitudes in relation to Organizational Development (OD) goals and procedures that may have occurred among the 65 participants who attended an initial training event. The goals of this event were to establish widespread understanding and favorable attitudes about organization…

The Sports Institute for Research through Change Agent Research (SIR/CAR) assists organizations to identify: (1) ultimate goals; (2) the conflicts or obstacles that prevent an organization from reaching its goals; (3) the important tasks of the organization; (4) the individuals and groups that make the organization unique; (5) the influence of the…

This report focuses on the problem of how to improve leadership effectiveness in order to improve overall organization effectiveness. First, three different approaches to leadership behavior are presented: Trait Approach, Behavioral Approach, and Situational Approach. Next, reviews of the leadership literature and of eight contingency models of…

Noting that large numbers of business graduates are seeking employment in college business offices, the authors outline a systems approach to employment and training which includes recruitment, interview and selection, orientation and training, placement and post-training, and the fusion process. Emphasis is on individual and organizational…

Training Manager of the University of Illinois describes steps in development of the successful series of "Executive Leadership Seminars." Basic questions answered are, "What organizational needs are to be met?""What should the enrollee learn and how should his behavior change?" and "What course content, from a…

Describes Bechtel Corporation's Organization Development (OD) system, which focuses on action/task identification, planning, operating decisions, and productivity. Presents eight-step process through which OD specialists help managers assess work-related problems (largely through interviews), action planning, implementation, and followup. Process…

Looks at five major types of research into organizational communication and compares them in terms of their suitability and effectiveness. (MH)

The article presents a theoretical environmental interaction model for agency development in adult education through planned interorganizational linkages. Arguments as to the appropriateness of the model for adult education and implications for future research are also given. (MF)

From a 1977 survey of twelve administrators who successfully use a management-by-objectives (MBO) method, the author lists twenty-seven steps for company management to take in setting their organizational goals. (MF)

Brings together empirically based information on organization development careers and personal knowledge of the field to synthesize a systems model of the OD career milieu. Main OD practitioner roles are identified as internal, full-time external, and university faculty/part-time external. (Author)

Assertiveness training involves pursuing personal goals, protecting individual rights, and achieving results without violating the rights of others. (ABM)

Job design or redesign (intended to create a more meaningful working environment that meets the needs of people as well as the organization) is discussed in terms of job rotation, work simplification, job enlargement, job enrichment, and other concepts relating to successfully redesigning other's jobs as part of effective management. (TA)

Organization Development (OD) is the application of behavioral-science knowledge to enhance an organization's effectiveness and efficiency. This article discusses the evolution of organization development, the basic components of an OD program, typologies of OD interventions, problems with organization development, and organization development in…

Methods of planning the academic environment at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine are described. Focus is on planning sequence, recruitment, staffing, facilities, curriculum, student and faculty scholarship, department organization, and priorities in decision-making. (LBH)