Examines three factors contributing to organizational success: use of a systemic model to design and guide the change effort; analysis of interdependencies within the system and of the change potential; and use of communication methods to help ensure that the change will be supported. Presents characteristics of successful change efforts with…

Examines change-related communication in the business services department of a large local-government organization in New Zealand, exploring it from three perspectives: functional, romantic, and critical. Outlines the logic, metaphors, and standards for evaluation of each perspective, and notes how they highlight different change-related…

Describes how the original ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) was established as a centralized information center within the Office of Education, and how it was later transformed into a decentralized national system. Discusses the roles of advances in information systems technology, interpersonal relationships, political decisions,…

Standards, designed to identify and measure the "value added of schooling," are instrumental, not an end in themselves. Every school district needs an academic audit, a systematic way to examine and analyze academic performance by relevant categories. Its purpose is to improve the allocation of district resources to increase academic…

The Specialized Vocational Training Institutions known as Institut Medico-Professionel (IMPro) in France are faced with increasing demands to provide quality services to adolescents with intellectual disabilities. This article describes the process of organizational changes in IMPro including the model, methods, tools, and techniques used in…

Interviews with 256 Russian owners of companies created since 1986 found that owners involved peers, but not subordinates, in decision making; had fewer authoritarian and many situational leadership styles; women used more consultative decision making; work design and performance-management interventions used more often than training/development…

Peking University Library initiated position restructuring in response to the University's requirements and to increasing expectations of users. Goals were to reduce unwanted positions and enhance responsibilities of selection positions. The restructuring promised to improve library services and staff morale. Describes steps in the restructuring…

Discusses operational, organizational, and technological developments that are transforming the workplace; describes the concept of knowledge worker and the information utility model; considers how these factors provide opportunities for library administrators and other information resource management professionals to improve user services; and…

The history of the National Marriage Guidance Council (Great Britain) from 1948 to 1988 is used as a case study to illustrate some of the basic organizational dilemmas and conflicts experienced in counseling agencies. Discusses three organizational dynamics: social and cultural environment, structure and ideology, and lifespan. (JPS)

Describes problems and considerations that an inside candidate (within the institution advertising the candidacy) and an outside candidate (from a different institution) must face when applying for a community college presidency. Argues that successful candidates must have a positive relationship with the trustees and a vision for leadership. (JDI)

Reviews 4 key intervention strategies for students at risk: (1) Sorting (of students into homogeneous subgroups); (2) Supporting (of students dealing with life's problems); (3) Connecting (of students with each other and the institution); and (4) Transforming (of students and the institution). (50 references) (JDI)

Experiences with leadership during periods of organizational change at Tufts University (Massachusetts) and Dean College (Massachusetts) illustrate that formal participatory planning, a favorite tool of planners, is not always appropriate. First, problems or opportunities to be addressed must be understood; then the strategies and tactics most…

Summarizes a report prepared for the English Council for Outdoor Education, Training and Recreation exploring the convergence of voluntary membership organizations in the outdoor field. Presents a synopsis of the present situation; opinions about change; shared vision; recommended change strategies; proposed name (the Outdoor Network in England),…

Basic science departments at Johns Hopkins University (Maryland) responded to pressure to provide more service with fewer resources by using administrative restructuring to meet the needs of research faculty and a growing research program. A collective approach to restructuring, involving interdepartmental cooperation and collegiality, was…

This article profiles the Hope Infant Family Support Program in San Diego, California, and its shift to providing educational services in the natural environment. How the program managed this complex change process is discussed, including the development of a vision statement, incentives, skill development, resource allocation changes, and action…