Describes assumptions, rationale, and trade-offs involved in designing the research methodology used in a longitudinal study of organizational change. Data were obtained from over 100 organizations through 4 interviews spaced 6 months apart with top managers. (53 references) (MLF)

The essential means of institutional vitality in our rapidly evolving era is for a college or university to conceive a strategic vision, then to realize it through purposefully managed organizational change. Institutions not attuned to external conditions and to their own state may slide into crisis. (Author/MSE)

In the early 1950s, Highlander Folk School administered a workers' education program for the United Packinghouse Workers of America. The program ended because it threatened the power of certain union leaders, raising issues for the ways popular educators can work within institutions to transform and democratize them. (SK)

Discusses empowerment--the idea of pushing decision-making authority down the management hierarchy to the workers. Looks at myths surrounding the concept and suggests steps that bring people closer to full empowerment by gradually introducing them to new tasks. (JOW)

A Swedish manufacturer's attempt to develop a learning organization encountered the following barriers to learning: (1) individuals' and management's mental models and visions were not congruent; (2) power differences, communication structures, and management styles had not changed to support the new ideology; and (3) official and unofficial…

Major issues surrounding women in management include the glass ceiling and prevalence of myths and stereotypes. Organizational and individual responses to improve use of the diversity of their skills and talents include mentors, sponsors, role models, networks, alternative schedules, family leave, employee assistance, and child care. (JOW)

Study of 11 European companies building a learning organization found that they used different pathways to achieve the same goal; human-resource innovation is fragile and easily destroyed; competency profiles were shaped by company contexts more than external standards; and the predominant approach was informal learning. (SK)

Remarks on a personal view of what school psychology should stand for, and therefore what its role in educational reform should be. Discusses problems in an autobiographical way. Urges the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to develop clear standards on issues of context for productive and unproductive learning. (Author/JDM)

Offers suggestions for a "campaign" approach to college/university organizational change. Emphasizes the ability of a campaign to mobilize people around a strategic theme. Discusses campaign planning and identifies four elements of a successful campaign. Reports five mini-case studies of campaigns, focusing themes such as changing how students…

In Britain, health occupations education has been incorporated into higher education. Educational institutions can respond to the ensuing upheaval by developing caring learning organizations, characterized by an affiliative attitude, respect for differences, open communication, balance of freedom and order, spontaneity, fun, transcendent value…

Discussion of downsizing in organizations focuses on Australian libraries. Topics include rationales behind downsizing; negative results in terms of equity and efficiency; guidelines and other options for responsible restructuring, including skills training, continuous learning programs, information sharing, and employee participation; jobs for…

The Information Society is affecting organizations and the people who work in them. European projects resulted in a change model emphasizing the role of communication structures within organizations and the ways in which information and communications technologies interact with them. (JOW)

Examines educational facility management within the context of a learning organization to help facilities meet twenty-first century challenges and the advance of technology. A learning organization is defined along with its characteristics and core concepts. Also discussed are the leadership role and measures for developing a learning…

Suggests that the career self-reliance model that proponents represent as a model shift, has, in reality, been the cornerstone of U.S. economic life for the last two centuries. Discusses the valuable precepts of career self-reliance as a useful counseling model as well as its serious, unexamined flaws. (JOW)

Suggests that one reason for the relative lack of commercial success of the information superhighway may be lack of precise information. Summarizes the concepts managers need to understand to assess the impact of the information superhighway and outlines steps to ensure that organizations are prepared for future changes. (Author/LRW)