The outstanding basic research conducted by leading U.S. universities contrasts with the institutional paralysis that limits their responses to the changing social environment. A matrix model of university organization and mission is presented and a starting point for organizational learning and change is offered. (Author/MLW)

The strategies used by the administrator of the University of Melbourne's central registration office to meet the multiple challenges of retraining staff for computerization, substantial reduction in staff, and a specific directive to improve services to users are outlined and discussed. (MSE)

Having worked for several years with three Wisconsin school districts, the author describes the metaplan that emerged for developing districtwide improvement plans. He presents a completed plan to clarify the process. The participating school districts welcome inquiries. (Author/TE)

Research suggests that academic institutions are not just businesses but have unique characteristics and needs. Business administrators could learn a great deal from their academic colleagues about organizational administration, and college administrators should attempt to chronicle their effective organizational practices. (MSE)

American public education faces increasing pressure to demonstrate the competence of all of its students as they progress through the grades and, especially, as students exit their high schools. In response, policymakers are developing sophisticated accountability and support systems in efforts to steer schools toward improved performance. These…

Explore how high-level users of ASCD's Understanding by Design (UbD) have applied this best-selling framework to improve both student achievement and organizational effectiveness. Incorporating advice and guidelines from educators throughout the United States, John Brown gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how they leverage UbD principles to…

This report highlights initiatives and accomplishments of the National Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Resource Center on Cultural Competency and a related consortium of 12 states and the District of Columbia from October 1992 through September 1995. Following an introductory section, the first chapter focuses on the role of the National MCH…

This collection of real-life stories profiles chief executive officers, managers, and employees who view social challenges as opportunities to create new markets, build motivated work forces, and attract loyal customers. The companies profiled have been honored by The Business Enterprise Trust, founded by Norman Lear. The following profiles are…

This study examined: first, the impetuses college faculty respond to as they propose new degree programs; and, second, whether these impetuses can be correlated with the components of either resource dependence or institutional theory. It also examined implications of "vertical extension" (whereby institutions extend their academic…

A study was undertaken to understand the role of electronic communication technologies (ECTs) in maintaining work-related communication. The study site was Sun Microsystems, a company at the high end of the curve in terms of its commitment to and employees' experience with ECTs. An electronic focus group (n=40, 4% response) and an e-mail survey…

This book offers advice to facilitators and change agents who wish to build systems-level learning to create knowledge that can be used to gain a competitive advantage. Chapter 1 describes forces driving companies to build, sustain, and effectively use systems-level learning and presents and links a working definition of the learning organization…

A team of three organizers and a panel of five experts representing scholars and practitioners from multiple disciplines participated in an innovative session that explored performance at multiple levels in organizations. The session objectives were as follows: (1) raise participants' awareness of multilevel approaches to the study of…

This paper describes a model for the use of the Web to engage communities in better understanding and appreciation of cultures through partnership among a knowledge organization, K-12 teachers and learners, museums, and regional and virtual communities. Museums and other content providers offer artifacts for object-based learning. Content…

This study focuses on the prerequisites for successful communication and collaborative learning in a large multinational company experienced by human resource development (HRD) practitioners, who participated in a cross-cultural e-learning course. The participants were Finnish and Chinese employees, who used an asynchronous Web-based tool to study…

In today's cut-throat economic climate, companies have to look more than ever for new ways of operating efficiently. When a company looks for ways of reducing its fixed expenditure it is inevitable that long-term investments, such as the budget allocated for training, will come under scrutiny first. As companies become leaner, and budgets become…