The concept of reflection arises from the Enlightenment view that portrays emotion and the body as unreliable and dangerous, and reason, emotional detachment, and physical distance as preeminent. This reproduces power differentials of gender, class, and race. (SK)

In postmodern societies, oppression shifts from centralized, explicitly coercive forms to decentered, subtle processes, inducing individuals to regulate themselves. Foucault's concept of power can assist adult educators in moving from empowering individuals to escape or transform oppressive structures toward helping them resist the disciplining of…

Interviews with staff and students of five Alberta literacy programs about their participatory practices elicited three themes: student representation, from silence into speech, and working across differences. The way social identity played a role in power relations between literacy workers and students must be addressed for true student…

Two perspectives on higher education's stakeholders and their involvement in the development of knowledge in universities are examined and contrasted: (1) that the "stakeholder" notion of knowledge doesn't allow for critical engagement with knowledge, and (2) that the "stakeholder" view of knowledge acknowledges clear links between knowledge and…

Examines how Latino immigrants interact with dominant and mainstream cultures while trying to maintain components of their traditional cultures and understand and be understood by other groups. Discusses the dynamics of power, assimilation, acculturation, and identity, focusing on findings from interviews with two Latino immigrants on these issues…

The functioning of learning organizations may be affected by power issues such as managerial control of learning agendas and objectives and supervisor-supervisee relationships. Organizations committed to transformative learning must allow development of critical reflection and action inquiry and seek to uncover hidden power relations. (Contains 25…

Studied the public space of Croatian higher education through a critical analysis of the discourse of a Croatian faculty revealed through the minutes of two faculty council meetings. Both meetings' minutes provide evidence of discourse strategies of deception used by faculty power holders to create an illusion of consent. Also explores…

Discusses concepts and assumptions underlying actor-network theories and the new literacy studies. Identifies lessons for adult education research derived from sociological approaches to scientific knowledge, which examine power circulating in networks of human and nonhuman entities. (Contains 36 references.) (SK)

The ascendancy hypothesis posits that information technology professionals (ITPs) may achieve disproportionate influence in organizations. However, review of ITPs' demography, skills, work roles, values, and culture suggests that only one subgroup, computer systems managers, might have the necessary interpersonal skills and ITPs do not exhibit…

This critique of social sciences, education, and adult education literature examines the historically changing nature of Whiteness and white privilege. The author calls on adult educators to develop concrete ways to challenge and transform invisible norms and seek a more progressive racial identity. (Contains 65 references.) (SK)

"Cloutmeisters" think clear and complete thoughts years into the future about who owes them what, how those debts might best be collected, who's worth cultivating, and who can be ignored with impunity. Because clout depends on petty, manipulative, and mean-spirited behavior, administrators must exercise considerable ingenuity to practice…

The effects of a technological change on organizational structure and power were investigated in a longitudinal study of the introduction and diffusion of a computerized information system. Employees, particularly early adopters of the technology, increased their power and network centrality following the technological change. Includes 67…

Examines the disruptive effects of a public-private effort to introduce an innovative venture intended to spur economic development in a small, southern, rural community. Suggests that entrepreneurial activity is most likely to occur under the conditions described in the conflict model of community power. (JOW)

Discrimination is rooted in oppression, and it is perpetuated because both oppressors and those oppressed have internalized oppression. Trainers can use this information to design training for "discriminators" and those who are discriminated against and to develop a new definition of leadership and strategies for leadership training. (SK)

Compares assumptions and practices emerging from family systems and feminist counseling. Examines nature of problem definitions; notions about power and appropriate sex roles in relationships; and characteristics of therapeutic relationship. Concludes that feminist perspective has potential for improving marital and family counseling. Suggests…