The lessons from the corporate experience of the 1980s, carefully applied, can strengthen the university in support of its mission. Those experiences, sifted and shaped for higher education, can help with the difficult tasks of downsizing, rightsizing, restructuring, streamlining, and decentralizing that confront the university in the 1990s. (MSE)

The development of an organization that gives preservice science teachers opportunities to participate actively in their own professional development is described. The activities, projects, and funding of the Future Science Teachers of America (FSTA) group are discussed. (KR)

Understanding the principles underlying the Total Quality Management approach is essential to using it effectively in higher education. These include establishing a customer-focused mission; creating a vision; improving the process continuously; using systematic analysis; promoting participation; and recognizing the college or university as a…

Includes "Joining Forces" (Lindamood); "Spiritual Dimension of the Learning Organisation" (Hawkins); "Management--A 'Spiritual' Foundation?" (Nevard); "Hermit in Organisations" (Murray); "Towards a Spiritual Perspective on Behavior at Work" (Henson); "On Uncertainty" (Adlam); "Spirituality in Organisations" (Lee); "Ecological Organisation" (Conn);…

Discusses the importance of organization beliefs, values, and ideology to the internal environment of the organization. Applies the idea of culture development within the system to the workings of schools. Discusses how rites move from the individual to the organization and eventually affect the effectiveness of the organization. (JS)

This article describes the 1986 transformation of the Western Australian Institute of Technology into the Curtin Institute of Technology. The event challenged the Australian binary system of higher education and presaged the far-reaching reforms in Australian higher education introduced in 1987. (Author/DB)

Applies the ideas of Peter Senge's "The Fifth Discipline; The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization" to leadership in academic libraries in transformation. Systems thinking, personal mastery, mental models, building shared vision, and team learning are discussed; and current limitations of organizations are identified. (EAM)

Includes "Postgraduate Training for Adult Career Development (CD)" (Hedberg); "Organizational CD in Australia" (Rylatt); "How Some Australian Women Are Using CD Techniques to Break through the Glass Ceiling" (Wareing); "Career Assessment Instruments in Use in Australia" (McCrossin); "Development and Use…

Case studies of five New Zealand organizations adopting learning organization initiatives highlight crucial limitations of the debate over skill needs in the contemporary workplace. Findings reveal a new paradigm of critical organizational characteristics and job skills needed in this uncertain environment. (SK)

Summarizes key themes described in the learning organization literature and discusses ways in which each theme illuminates how schools might be better organized to deliver services for students with disabilities. Addresses organizational learning, knowledge, authentic communication, vision, steward leadership, systems perspective, and…

Discusses the contingency approach to organizational design, information processing as a critical contingent of design, and use of organismic and mechanistic structures within an independent merchant bank. Proposes that a more appropriate model is needed which takes into account the changing nature of information processing and is flexible enough…

Discussion of strategic planning in libraries focuses on a five-step process based on academic libraries. Highlights include a situational and environmental analysis; development of organizational direction, including vision, mission, and objectives; formulation of the strategic plan; implementation; and control, feedback, and evaluation. (LRW)

Examines complexities and offers generic criticisms of three current approaches to innovation (total quality management, restructuring, reengineering). Notes difficulties and discusses specific problems related to: interrelatedness of planning, doing and evaluating; excessive time demands and paperwork; lack of balance between process and product;…

Considers derivation of the strategy concept and its deployment as a managerial planning technique. Examines the related growth of school development planning, exploring ways it might be considered strategic. Using strategy in organizations is no longer either possible or appropriate. Proposes an alternative planning basis derived from marginal…

A National Association of College and University Business Officers survey of 153 institutions revealed the ways in which beginning, somewhat experienced, and experienced users of continuous quality improvement (CQI) management principles have implemented them. The three categories of implementers are profiled, and best practices are identified.…