This personal reflective essay explores a group Dissertation in Practice (DiP) model and process used in a localized Doctor of Education program. It describes and recommends this team-based DiP approach as an innovation that prepares practitioners to tackle complex problems of practice by focusing on a process centered around group dynamics that…

This conceptual paper suggests and elaborates on the use of physiological metaphors pertaining to the systems and parts of the body as an approach for fostering an understanding of organizational theories among students of educational administration. The importance of this pursuit is related to the recognition that the students often reject the…

Education is characterised by marked and damaging schisms among its specialties, especially between classroom practitioners and academic members of the profession. While many or most commentators accept this rift as arising from real and significant differences between the groups, this article argues that the schism can be seen as the consequence…

Comments on an earlier attempt to create a unified theoretical framework for the analysis of organizational structure. Discusses the nature of social structure and the problems involved with various conceptions of structure. (Author/RW)

Discusses two models for dissertation support groups, noting rationale, models, and examples of such groups. Offers suggestions for the development of dissertation support groups. (SR)

Describes the role that group workers can play in program evaluation. Encourages people who are skilled conducting groups to apply their skills to program evaluation. Discusses the competencies and preparation necessary to function in the combined roles of evaluator and group worker. (Author/ABB)

Examines the nature and impact of boundaries and boundary management in interpersonal skills training (IST). States that the management trainer should be aware of the boundaries he is establishing with trainees and colleagues, and the possible consequences, and the boundaries others are establishing and his reactions to them. (NRJ)

The fundamental actions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) are explained by means of conventional economic models of cartelization. While it is likely that the NCAA will continue to undergo significant structural changes, it is unlikely that it will be destroyed by the problems that it currently faces. (Author/RM)

Current approaches to understanding organizational structure are reviewed and aspects of information resources considered--nature of information needed in relation to functional view of organization; differences between treatment of internally and externally generated information; impact of form of organization structure accommodated to form of…

Successful continuing professional education programs require that the learners be involved in design and implementation. Program planning and advisory committees are one means of ensuring the participation of adult learners and of meeting their needs. (SK)

Following recent thinking that sees organizations' structures as dependent on their environments, the authors consider characteristics of institutional sectors that affect the organizations arising within them. They first point out problems in present models relating organizations to their environments and discuss several "forerunners"…

This paper discusses the authors' experiences with organizing and running groups for clients in career transition, whether that be a completely new career or a job search. One key to successful groups is organization, especially finding the right mix of members. They can have similar or different goals, but must be well matched for ego-strength.…

Classifies organizational theories, by analytical level and assumptions about human nature, into four perspectives (system-structural, strategic choice, natural selection, collective action), each with different concepts of organizational structure, behavior, change, and managerial roles. Identifies six debates generated among the perspectives and…

Successful team building depends on the presence of four fundamental concepts of group behavior: (1) shared knowledge, vocabulary, and level of sophistication; (2) shared territory; (3) similar status; and (4) shared access to communications networks. (SK)

Focuses on the semantic effects of collective bargaining in higher education, attempting to determine what the semantic reactions are to the language of the labor union as used by unversity faculty and to the language of industrial management as used by academic administrators. (GT)