Examines the growth in developing performance-centered systems in business. Discusses Web-based systems, including the Internet and intranets; knowledge management systems; knowledge acquisition; performance-centered design; performance support; group processes; systems approach; focus on goals; electronic performance support systems;…

Describes the founding and mission of SIGNIS, a Catholic communications organization that strives to promote the personal, social, and cultural life of all people and their communities. States that SIGNIS unites two international Catholic associations, UNDA and OCIC; both were involved in communication and media since 1928. (NB)

The author argues that leadership is a cultural construct embedded in symbolic processes. By culture, the author refers to the informal codes and shared assumptions of individuals who participate in an organization. An organization's members shape and are shaped by the symbols and rituals of the institution as well as the unique history from which…

Mergers have been a frequent phenomenon in higher education in the last quarter century. The conventional wisdom is that mergers are undertaken mainly for economic reasons, either to expand markets or to reduce costs. About four out of five college or university mergers survive. In the for-profit sector the comparable rate is closer to two out of…

Sustainability is an evolving and often misused word in business. As the landscape changes in terms of how resources are evaluated, so does the context of sustainability. In the most general terms, Ben & Jerry's looks at sustainability from the perspective of the social and environmental resources. Improper use of the term has been called…

Although community colleges serve a culturally diverse student population, they, along with other institutions of higher education, have been slow to respond to that diversity. The implementation of a multicultural curriculum threatens the canonical knowledge upon which higher education is positioned. The canon elevates certain aspects of a…

One problem with the outcome-based measures used in higher education is that they measure quantity but not quality. Benchmarking, or the use of some external standard of quality to measure tasks, processes, and outputs, is partially solving that difficulty. Benchmarking allows for the establishment of a systematic process to indicate if outputs…

Some of the provocative issues regarding integrated-service efforts arise from questions about how professional service providers are to go about the business of integrating services. This paper presents findings of a study that examined how street-level bureaucrats negotiate boundaries between the community in which they work and the agencies…

Meeting the demands of the public, policymakers, and the private sector have spurred Education School (Ed School) leaders to find ways of working "smarter" as well as harder. The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education conducted a telephone survey of 32 Education School deans and directors to determine the catalyst and the rationale…

After the government established the Home-School Cooperation Committee in 1993, parent involvement in Hong Kong schools has received increased attention. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the attitudes of various groups toward the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and its role. Specifically, the paper attempts to: (1) provide…

In response to recommendations in the Illinois Board of Higher Education's Priorities, Quality, and Productivity report of November 1994, the 52 community colleges in the state prepared priority statements detailing specific college objectives for the current fiscal year (FY). This report provides the second update of the colleges' statements,…

Reviewing the history of the public junior college movement in the United States from 1990 to 1940, this monograph explores the college's mission, goals, program offerings, student enrollment, and geographic distribution. The first chapter examines the ideology behind the junior college, highlighting distinctions between the junior and community…

In Spring 1995, Austin Community College (ACC), in Texas conducted a series of six conferences in its effort to shift towards shared governance and a learning organization model of operation. The conferences were designed to develop a shared vision for the future, with each conference being held at a different campus or site and engaging nearly…

This booklet provides information on the Association of Community Tribal Schools (ACTS) (South Dakota). The mission of ACTS is to assist community tribal schools in preparing students for lifelong learning and for their role in strengthening and perpetuating traditional tribal societies. Specifically, ACTS promotes the advancement of Indian…

In the face of reduced resources, increased levels of competition, and rapid technological advancement, it is critical that colleges learn how to plan for the future. There are four main phases of effective planning: development, implementation, evaluation of results (audit), and standardization. The Hoshin Planning model, which incorporates these…