Organizational development practitioners tend to assume that all workplaces are pretty much alike, and that emotional health in all job situations can be described in approximately the same way. They have failed to recognize the sociological and structural/functional limitations of the workplace. (Author/JG)

This is an account of errors made by the author in his role as organizational change agent working as a process consultant. For each error there is an illustrative case study in which he was directly involved. (Author)

Using transition-rate analysis for a sample of 671 large U.S. manufacturing firms during 1978-1980, this paper explores the nature and relationship of the chief executive officer (CEO) and chair of the board of directors positions. One analysis examines CEO and board chair turnover; the other examines consolidations and separations. Includes 46…

Examines the impact of library automation on collection development, and argues that collection development now requires information and expertise possessed by both public and technical services librarians. The need to adjust the library's organizational structure to facilitate this interaction is discussed. (28 notes with references) (CLB)

Offers a retrospective view of organizational factors affecting the redesign of the Midwest Bell Telephone Bill. Shows how financial considerations, organizational time frame, and employee training and experience influenced the bill's development process. (MM)

Comments on E. G. Creamer and Don G. Creamer's article "Predicting Successful Organizational Change: Case Studies." Notes one of the enlightening concepts is the observation of qualitatively different leader behaviors in successful change projects. Describes the omission of a clear delineation of change project goals for each institution and how…

Examined organizational patterns of student personnel services in selected American institutions of higher education. The student personnel services programs represented exhibited more organizational similarity than dissimilarity. Major organizational differences found were the fractionalization of services and to which governance level a…

A management model uses a population perspective that examines types of change occurring in the environment of populations of organizations and results in four kinds of decline (erosion, contraction, dissolution, and collapse). It is used to explain several population-related organizational phenomena. (MSE)

The present study employed the Ecosystem Model to guide the process of assessing the needs of residents in student family housing, planning and carrying out suggested changes, and evaluating the effects of those changes. Results indicated the Ecosystem Model is well suited for assessment and redesign functions in student family housing programs.…

Argues that choice and determinism are independent variables that can be positioned in two separate continua to develop a typology of organizational adaptation. The typology suggests the complexity and interdependence of important variables and decision processes as a function of both choice and determinism. Appended are 44 references. (MLF)

Describes the changes and problems of the English department in adjusting to a new core curriculum at a liberal arts college. Discusses assumptions about planning, course requirements, and course content beneficial to the department. (EL)

Focuses on action research as a strategy for the helping institution, as an organizationwide intervention in organization change efforts, and as a means of leadership development. (Author/IRT)

Changes in bookstore management and marketing procedures are described which have contributed to increased sales of 140 percent. Mention is made of inventory control, salaries and wages, store reorganization, and planning and control. (LBH)

This digest focuses on providing the reader several key insights into the change process in higher education by: (1) presenting a common language for organizational change; (2) describing the multidisciplinary research base on change; (3) highlighting the distinct characteristics of higher education institutions and how this might influence the…

This study examines the relationship between employee attitudes towards training and organizational commitment among a sample of nurses in New Zealand and the United States. Results show that perceived access to training, training frequency, motivation to learn from training, benefits of training, and supervisory support for training were…