Librarians need to switch their identity from operating libraries to providing information services to constituencies of concern. Libraries need to be transformed through the discovery of new meaning, relevancy, and purpose. The process of the White House Conference is a pilot laboratory of a transformation process. (Author/SW)

Clearly defined goals are essential to the health and effectiveness of organizations. (JD)

A taxonomy of organizational states is described, ranging from least to greatest chance of potential success. For each, various strategies for administrative action are discussed. The paper concludes by addressing a number of important issues concerned with facilitating instructional technology in higher education. (Author/JEG)

Families are compared to work organizations from a systems perspective, establishing parallels in needs for change and growth. The theoretical underpinnings of Organization Development (OD) are discussed in light of their use in conceptualizing family therapy. From this viewpoint, the consultant role, systems diagnosis and OD interventions are…

The purpose of organization development (OD) is to improve an organization's effectiveness in making decisions and changes and to reach the full potential of its personnel. Objectives of OD and essentials for successful programs are listed. Definitions of essentials and how they add to the effectiveness of OD are presented. (Author/BEF)

Interorganizational development is the application of social science knowledge to the creation of planned, systematic and mutually beneficial cooperative relationships between otherwise autonomous organizations. This paper introduces the concept as a means of focusing attention on key action and research issues associated with interorganizational…

Reviews a diagnostic study conducted by a communication consultant within the George C Marshall Space Flight Center during the research and development of the Saturn V or "Moon Rocket". Participant observation and in-depth interview methodology yields information on organizational communication and systematic problems within a complex network. (MH)

Presents and compares the results of 1973 and 1975 analyses of the organizational development (OD) effort at a government research laboratory and assesses the laboratory's present organizational climate. Concludes that the OD program has been a qualified success that provides a viable model for other organizations. (Author)

A seven-step process can help people from different cultures understand each other's intentions and perceptions so they can work together harmoniously: problem identification, problem clarification, cultural exploration, organizational exploration, conflict resolution, impact assessment, and organizational integration. (JOW)

A five-year study of corporate approaches to learning and change shows too little attention has been paid to individual feelings and concerns. More reflective thinking and holistic, sensitive, people-centered approaches to management are needed. The potential of shared learning and learning technology needs to be better understood. (SK)

Six experts respond to a case study of a small business in transition by explaining their vision of leadership for organizing a small business and managing employees. (SK)

Addresses the following myths: manufacturers are all large businesses; services are the wave of the future; all manufacturers use new technologies; manufacturing jobs are low skill; manufacturing is unionized; manufacturers are resistant to change and care only about production. Suggests that advisors can help small businesses by serving as a…

Reasons for frustrations surrounding needs assessment in organizations are examined. Action strategies are paired with three of the root causes of obstacles to effective assessment: (1) flawed needs assessments; (2) no organizational support; and (3) inadequate expertise assigned to the effort. A sidebar presents four possible causes linked to…

Discusses benefits of project monitoring in a Canadian international aid project to assist the Brazilian National Industrial Learning Service with creating two technical colleges. Project monitoring focuses on three dimensions: inputs, outputs, and outcomes. Opportunities for intervention and planning input are greater and more frequent than…

Discusses need for school principals to strike a balance between continuity and change, dependence and independence, individualism and community, and homogeneity and heterogeneity. Provides key findings from Australian Leadership and Organizational Learning and Student Outcomes research project. Finds, for example, that transformational leadership…