Discusses six fundamental information resources management (IRM) practices in successful organizations that can improve government service delivery performance. Highlights include directing changes, integrating IRM decision making into a strategic management process, performance management, maintaining an investment philosophy, using business…

Offers insights into the features of a learning organization. Delineates a context for leadership without elaborate structures, chains of command, or approving and authorizing. Underscores the importance of personal networks in boundaryless organizations. Suggests that each part of the organization continually learns about the interrelatedness of…

Reports on the state of strategic planning for education and training in service industries, manufacturing, retailing, and entertainment organizations. A questionnaire surveyed 200 training managers in organizations of over 5,000 employees headquartered primarily in the Pacific Northwest and revealed that strategic planning is becoming a priority.…

Examines similarities between performance technology and instructional technology, including a systems approach, reliance upon analysis, theoretical antecedents, causes of performance problems, and anticipating obstacles to the introduction of innovation. Goals, target, activities, deliverables, domain, vision, and futures are compared; and the…

The president of the American Association on Mental Retardation addresses changes taking place within the U.S. family in general and suggests specific steps the association can take to support families in the areas of training, research, services, and policy development. (DB)

Reports on a study in which presidents and governing board chairpersons from community colleges in Florida ranked a list of 20 institutional priorities. Findings indicate general agreement among the community college leadership. Compares results from a similar study conducted by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges. (DMM)

Effective strategic planning for child care programs should involve a four-step process that focuses on scoping, or studying, desirable program outcomes; collecting data, including identifying a program's vision, mission, and needs; planning, which involves setting goals and measurable performance indicators, as well as determining program…

Examines organizational patterns for administering community services at community colleges. Identifies conditions contributing to successful organizational patterns. Suggests features of organizational development which may be helpful in analyzing community services administration and in dealing with emerging community services functions in the…

Discusses the need for coordinated efforts between an organization and its staff development support that are congruent with the articulated goals of the district, the school sites, and individual members of the organization. Strategies are presented for changing the role of staff developers in renewal efforts that support a learning organization.…

Describes activities of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) that were conducted at the annual conference in Belfast (Northern Ireland), including the keynote address on managing school library change; talks about and tours of Belfast schools; professional awards; IASL objectives; board members; and future plans. (LRW)

Summarizes and reflects on efforts to improve the relevance and functioning of the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The AERA is addressing such issues as quality of papers, the role of special interest groups, the evaluation of meetings, and the process of change itself. (SLD)

Does information technology "pull" the organizational management toward change in terms of authority and control, or is information technology "pushed" through the organization, by management, to maintain its existing system of authority and control? These conflicting positions are explored through a case study of the Federal…

Discusses performance management and its application at the organizational and the performer level to help manage individual employees. Topics include stakeholders' needs; linking jobs to strategic business goals; material resources; establishing performance goals; selecting employees; determining tasks; performance activities; performance…

Explores the major changes occurring within present-day American community colleges and their missions, such as the increase in courses tailored to meet the needs of the workplace. Uses the experience of Montgomery College (Maryland) to offer suggestions on managing change and meeting challenges, and examples of colleges achieving success.…

Describes the newly proposed federal agency called the National Institute for the Environment (NIE). Discusses the history of the NIE concept; NIE goals; proposed NIE activities involving environmental research, assessment, information, and education and training; and ways in which environmental educators can assist the NIE effort. (MDH)