CLASS DISCUSSION 1

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CONSULTING, DESIGN, INTERVENTION & EVALUATION 

Q1.Engage the idea that form (structure) follows function (strategy or purpose). How does this affect established organizations that want to change strategy?   How does organizational structure affect the behavior of the people working in the organization?  In your answer, differentiate among various structures by considering, for example, the behaviors one might see in a highly centralized structured organization versus a decentralized structure. Also, take advantage of the organizational metaphors used by Morgan (2006).

Q2.How do the organizational metaphors assist us in describing organizational culture?”

Q3.Discuss organizational change and how leaders can accomplish double loop learning in their organizations. Provide a biblical example of double-loop learning. How does being intellectually conscious of your own worldview help you understand the worldview of others? What impact does this have on organizations?

Q4.Discuss the ethical organizational culture. How does a biblical worldview support an ethical organization?

RESOURCES

Argyris,      Chris. 1997. Initiating change that perseveres. (Initiating Change: Theory      and Practice). American Behavioral Scientist 40, no. 3 (Jan): 299-310. (12      pages) Link to Argyris_Article Argyris_Article – Alternative      Formats 
Double-loop      Learning in Higher Education:      http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/shulockn/Executive%20Fellows%20PDF%20readings/Tagg-double%20loop%20learning      

7. Other Online resources 

CLASS DISCUSSION 2

Strategic Thinking, Planning, and Organizational Change

Q1. consider what you read in the assigned readings and present to the group two examples from your own organization for each of: (a) revolutionary change and (b) evolutionary change. In addition, present examples of an organization dealing with both: (a) a successful organizational change effort, and (b) a failed organizational change effort. Feel free to use information from available press reports or your own organization. Focus on expanding the understanding of the whole group.

Q2. Discuss the importance of strategic thinking and planning to an organization and provide an example of an organization that showed good strategic planning and one that showed poor strategic planning.

Q3. Present to the group the driving forces that will affect the future of Christianity as you see them. Support your position thoroughly from published sources. Respond to, challenge, and assess critically the posts of at least two other students with the focus being to expand the understanding of the whole group.

Q4. Present reasons why organizational strategic plans seem to fail — and what should be done to insure higher success rates. Do you see spirituality playing a role in successful organizations? Explain your position. Remember that you can and should integrate your organizational leadership understandings as you advance your knowledge. Therefore, integrate and research as necessary to interact with good ideas.

Q1. ASSIGNED READING MATERIALS

http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/lao/issue_9/pdf/strategic_triumvirate
Article:      The Execution Void: Filling the Role of the Chief Strategy Officer http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/jsl/vol1iss1/JSL_Vol1iss1_Rice
Article:      Strategic Thinking in Fast Growing Companies http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/jsl/vol1iss1/JSL_Vol1iss1_Switzer

Q2. ASSIGNED READING MATERIALS

• Burke      (ed.2). Organization change. (Chapters: 5, 6, 11) (94 pages)  (NOTE:      If you have Burke’s ed. 3, please read chapters 5 and 6.)
• Sanders.      Strategic thinking and the new science. (Chapters: Introduction, 4, 5, 6)      (72 pages)
• Hines, Bishop. Thinking      About the Future: Guidelines for Strategic Foresight. (Sections: 1, 2,      5) (79 pages)

Q3. ASSIGNED READING MATERIALS

• Bass,      Bernard. M., and Paul Steidlmeier. 1999. Ethics, character, and authentic      transformational leadership behavior. Leadership Quarterly, 10, no: 2:      181-217. (37 pages)
• Hines,      Bishop. Thinking About the Future: Guidelines for Strategic      Foresight. (Sections: 4, 6) (62 pages)
• McGrath. The      future of Christianity. (Chapters: 1,2,3,4,5,6) (155 pages)
• Video:      The Importance of Learning in Organizations [10 minutes ]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUP4WcfNyAA
• Video:      The future of traditional higher education [10 minutes]:  http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/6/prweb9571253.htm (see      the link at the bottom of the page or access the video directly here)

Q4. ASSIGNED READING MATERIALS

Bekker:      Dreaming with Open Eyes: Reflections on Leadership & Spirituality      (downloadable working paper): http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/working/Dreaming      with Open Eyes – Reflections on Leadership and Spirituality – Bekker 2007
Bekker:      Finding the Other in Southern African Business Leadership(downloadable      article): http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/rgbr/vol2iss1/2008      April_Ubuntu-Kenosis_Bekker