From reminiscence to robustness: an interview with prof Deborah Blackman on the ways organizations “learn”

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhilash Acharya ◽  
Bijaya Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Mental Models ◽  
Learning Organization ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Shared Mental Models ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evolutionary Path ◽  
Organizational Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interactive Session ◽  
Evidence Based Decision Making

Purpose This paper aims to understand in-depth the concepts applied to the domains of organizational learning (OL) and learning organization, based on the notional perspectives of Professor Deborah Blackman and traces the evolutionary path of her academic journey and contributions in this regard. Design/methodology/approach A conversation with the distinguished academician, Professor Deborah Blackman. Findings How OL has pivoted around “shared mental models” that will enable in collective evidence-based decision-making across the organizational hierarchy. Originality/value The interactive session with Professor Deborah Blackman captured her ideas and critique pertaining to the theme of OL and the crucial aspect of “shared mental models” which promote “learning” in an organization. Delving deeper, it is seen that this trajectory offers the space and orientation to researchers and professionals to verify.

scholarly journals Utilizing a time-to-shelf study to start a conversation on change

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
Sally Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Workflow Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Evidence Based Decision Making

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show the value of benchmarking organizational performance in order to enable conversations about workflow analysis and potential changes. Design/methodology/approach – Data from a time-to-shelf study are compared to literature describing similar studies at other academic libraries which enable the decision-making process for a new workflow. Findings – The results of a time-to-shelf study necessitated a change in workflow. This paper examines how the data enabled staff to agree to changes and supported the decision-making process. Originality/value – This paper examines the impact of evidence-based decision making on the performance and workflow of a technical services department.

From the fifth discipline to the new revolution: what we have learnt from Senge’s ideas over the last three decades

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 489-498
Author(s):  
Hong T.M. Bui
Keyword(s):  
Mental Models ◽  
Learning Organization ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Influential Book ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Business And Management

Purpose This paper aims to go through all Peter Senge’s books since his influential book The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization in 1990 and see what kind of ideas he has developed and the impact his books have created. Design/methodology/approach The author uses book review method to identify prominent ideas in those books that not only have significantly challenged but also contributed to transforming the world of business and management in both academia and practice. Findings Among many great ideas that Senge has developed, spirituality, mental models, systems thinking, and a sustainability mentality are prominent ones, which have set up trends for both researchers and practitioners in business and management. Originality/value Those ideas are interwoven, intertwined and have powerfully shaped new ways to see the world and act upon.

The trained and untrained users’ mental models compatibility with the icons of search modules in Iranian digital library applications

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanaz Rahrovani ◽  
Mahdieh Mirzabeigi ◽  
Javad Abbaspour
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
User Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Fields Of Study ◽  
Study Results

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trained and untrained users’ mental models compatibility with search module icons in three Iranian digital library applications, namely, Nika, Azarakhsh, and Simorgh. Design/methodology/approach The population of this survey consisted of two groups including trained and untrained users. The trained user group consisted of 174 samples, all of which were included in the study due to scarcity of the samples. The untrained user group consisted of 8,210 samples, from which 267 cases were selected through stratified sampling. Findings Results showed that the trained users’ mental models were more compatible with the search module icons than those of the untrained users. The comparison of three software applications showed that the mental models of trained and untrained users had the highest compatibility with the search icons of Azarakhsh and the lowest compatibility with those of Nika. Concerning the untrained users’ status in terms of their fields of study, results showed that users majoring technical and engineering field and those in agriculture had, respectively, the highest and lowest mental models compatibility with the icons embedded in the user interface of the studied applications. Originality/value Since the mental models may be incomplete or inaccurate, the study of the trained and untrained users’ mental models compatibility with the search module icons of user interface embedded in various library applications may help in assessing the software’ status and the designers’ level of success in conveying the content. This also may assist information literacy specialists to estimate the required amount of training for trained and untrained users.

The socio-demographic determinants of workplace loneliness in India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mantasha Firoz ◽  
Richa Chaudhary ◽  
Madhu Lata
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Average Level ◽  
Hypotheses Testing ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Organizational Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Sectors

PurposeThis study was conducted with two main objectives: (1) to examine the prevalence of workplace loneliness in the Indian manufacturing and service sectors (2) to examine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, nature of the organization, tenure, number of friends at the workplace, and position in the organizational hierarchy) on the feeling of loneliness in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 934 employees working in manufacturing and service sectors across India. Regression analysis was used for hypotheses testing.FindingsFindings indicated below average level of loneliness in Indian workplace. Significant differences were found in workplace loneliness with respect to age, marital status and number of friends at the workplace. In contrast, gender, nature of organization, position and tenure had no effect on the feeling of workplace loneliness.Originality/valueThis study advances the limited literature on workplace loneliness by identifying its prevalence and socio-demographic determinants in Indian business organizations. It would help HR practitioners in comprehending and dealing with the emerging challenges associated with workplace loneliness.

China in Africa: a critical literature review

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdoulkadre Ado ◽  
Zhan Su
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Current State ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
Critical Literature

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically assesses the major contributions to the academic literature on China’s increased focus on Africa, from 2001 to 2011. It discusses the key trends concerning China’s presence in Africa and draws conclusions on the significance of the studies by emphasizing and contrasting the prevailing positions. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a qualitative approach using an integrative and comprehensive literature review, the authors performed a content analysis of high-impact, peer-reviewed papers. Findings – The paper questions and repositions some of the existing controversies. The results from existing studies remain questionable, requiring further clarification and more theoretical backing. It, moreover, highlights the notion that behind the explicit neutrality views of China’s presence in Africa, implicit assumptions may exist. These are often the differences in narratives conveyed by Western and Southern stakeholders. Research limitations/implications – Most of the conclusions drawn from this paper need to be re-explored and supported by additional research. This could be done by widening the scope of the analysis. Studies need to provide more empirical support for their assertions through quantitative data and evidence-based qualitative analyses – all within a framework that considers more cultural, social and historical dimensions. The paper also suggests that an institutionally based view appears most relevant in better explaining China in Africa. Originality/value – This paper reviews a decade of research on China in Africa and presents a snapshot of the current state of knowledge. It also raises concerns to be analyzed by future research and proposes new avenues for better understanding China’s presence in Africa.

scholarly journals Down to earth: Gaia storytelling and the learning organization

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Mølbjerg Jørgensen ◽  
Anete Mikkala Camille Strand ◽  
Julia Hayden ◽  
Mogens Sparre ◽  
Jens Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Learning Organization ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Critical Zone ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Truth Telling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Beginning ◽  
Shape Learning ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose In accordance with Latour, this paper aims to respond to the call for a “down-to-earth” post-learning organization approach to sustainability, which is critical of Senge’s conception of learning organization (LO). Design/methodology/approach “Gaia storytelling” is used to define a LO that is “down to earth.” Findings Gaia is understood through the notion of a critical zone, which foregrounds the local and differentiated terrestrial conditions in which life on Earth is embedded. Practical implications Gaia storytelling implies perceiving LO as a network of storytelling practices enacted and told by unique creative citizens. Such an organization sustains and grows through several entangled storytelling cycles that allow Gaia to shape learning. Social implications The article distinguishes five different storytelling cycles as a way to explore how the Gaia theater cycle connects to other cycles. The four other cycles are called Gaia thinking, explorative, creative and Gaia truth-telling. Originality/value A Gaian LO is a new beginning for LO.

scholarly journals Shadow organizing: a metaphor to explore organizing as intra-relating

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Gherardi ◽  
Karen Jensen ◽  
Monika Nerland
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based Medicine ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Grey Zone ◽  
Secret Societies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metaphorical Thinking ◽  
Organizational Rules ◽  
Based Medicine

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceive “organizing” as an indeterminate process taking place in the interstices of intra-acting elements, beyond visible/rational/intentional organizing. The term intra-activity refers to relationships between multiple elements (human and more-than-human) that are understood not to have clear or distinct boundaries. The paper aims at reframing organizing, as the effect of multiple intra-acting elements, by introducing the metaphor of shadow organizing. It offers examples as diverse as knowledge spillover, evidence-based medicine and improvisation, and the mafia’s organizational rules. Design/methodology/approach The frame of reference is metaphorical theorization, based on the metaphor of shadow organizing, and is explored through three metonymies: the forest and its sheltered spaces in penumbra; the shadow as a grey zone between canonical and non-canonical practices; and secret societies, hidden in the shadow. The shadow is the symbol of what is “betwixt and between.” Findings Shadow organizing focuses on the way that situated elements (people, technologies, knowledge, infrastructures, society) intra-relate and acquire agency. Whilst organizing as the effect of intentional coordination, planning, and strategizing represents a well-established theorization, shadow organizing sheds light on what happen in the interstices of intentional and structured processes. The paper identifies the dimensions of shadow organizing as performativity, liminality, and secrecy. Originality/value The passage from elements in interaction to intra-acting relations that form elements is a challenge both for theory and methodology. To face this challenge, metaphorical thinking proves useful since it enhances scholars’ imaginations and emotional participation.

The UK drugs strategy 2017: contexts and analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-217
Author(s):  
Blaine Stothard
Keyword(s):  
Economic Policy ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Drug Misuse ◽  
Close Reading ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the content of the strategy and assess its claims to be evidence based. Design/methodology/approach This study is a close-reading of the text with commentary on specific content and reference to wider contexts. Findings The strategy makes use of evidence in its sections on treatment. Much evidence, including that of the UK ACMD, is dismissed or ignored. The issue of funding in times of austerity is not considered in the strategy. The range and complexity of drug use and users are not fully considered. Research limitations/implications The strategy can be seen as an idealised ambition with little basis in reality without funding to support its aims. Social implications There is no consideration of the impact of macro-economic policy on the extent of drug misuse. Originality/value Other commentaries on the strategy are emerging. This paper is a more extensive consideration than has so far appeared.

scholarly journals Approaches to help the practitioner determine “are we a learning organization”

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 362-365
Author(s):  
Simon Reese
Keyword(s):  
Learning Organization ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Many ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The “Implication for practitioners” paper summarizes the articles within this issue of The Learning Organization in an easy-to-digest format for the practitioner audience. This paper aims to outline how in practice the structure and people and the interplay of both have an impact in creating a learning organization. Included in the paper is a summary of articles within this issue that outline different studies that can easily lead toward actions in practice. Design/methodology/approach The summary identifies specific elements from the articles within this issue that can applied in practice. Findings This issue of The Learning Organization is full of content to help practitioners think more deeply about assessing their organization and offers application of tools that can be easily applied in any organization. Practical implications The “Implication for practitioners” paper aims to outline areas where the articles can be further applied. The articles within this issue outline how structure and characteristics (or people) can provide a significant impact on developing a learning organization. Originality/value Readers can gain value in reading this summary, as it outline some of the many practical ideas outlined within the articles of this issue of The Learning Organization.

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