The purpose of this study is to investigate if cultural backgrounds affect how staff from Scandinavian international schools view school development. The study is based on the alternative hypothesis that cultural backgrounds affect school development. A survey was sent to seven Scandinavian international schools with questions designed to detect the views respondents have on school development based on the two most prominent school development perspectives; school improvement and school effectiveness. I investigated and analyzed respondents’ views about their own development work at their school today and what they would like it to look like. In addition, I examined what processes and standards they considered important when engaged in school development work. Also, I wanted to see if there were any differences in views depending on where the respondents had had their higher education, were born, or if years spent in Scandinavia had influenced their views. The results indicated that it is not statistically likely that respondents’ cultural backgrounds affect their views on school development. There could be many reasons for this outcome but since these have not been studied, I can only speculate. One reason could be that the majority of the respondents have spent more than ten years in Scandinavia which might have homogenized the respondents’ views on school development.  Another reason could be that the majority of the respondents come or have had their higher education in either an English speaking country or in Scandinavia.

How can a multi project organisation use Wiki to support improvement of knowledge management and project evaluation to become a learning organisation? The main purpose of this thesis is to give management and employees a better understanding of how Wiki supports knowledge management and project evaluation. The second purpose is to illustrate possible difficulties and pit falls that comes with the implementation of Wiki based learning. The theoretical framework initiates by explaining multi project organizations, then describes Argyris and Schöns theories about organizational learning and learning organizations. The second half of the theory chapter brings up theories about important areas for a learning organization. We have used a qualitative approach to gather profound data for the study. The empirical framework presents the fallout of the interviews we had with the studied company. Our study demonstrates how Wikis can be a great support to improve knowledge management and project evaluation. A Wiki functions as a knowledge repository that integrates divisions in an organization and facilitates to take part of, document and share knowledge. The study also demonstrates that problems can occur when implementing a Wiki. This is shown by managerial resistance due to the attitude towards knowledge management and an uncertainty about quality control of a Wiki’s content. To answer this resistance the employees can suggest a demonstration where they during a period of time use Wiki to describe when it could have benefited them in the daily activities. To be follow up with a trialperiod if the outcome is successful.

This thesis deals with the need for development in contemporary organizations in order to stay competitive. Thereby, we focus on the concept of Learning Organizations, which is a well-known theory of developing for organizations. In the context of this thesis we identify the key factors for the becoming of a Learning Organization in the contemplated organization, which is Växjö Airport. However, this thesis also includes an attempt to improve the situation at the airport. The thesis at hand is conducted with a qualitative approach due to the need of a thorough understanding about the procedures in the organization. It is important to mention that the thesis is based on a previous study, thus our pre-understanding was influenced by the empirical findings of this study. In this context the most suitable approach is the abductive method. For the development of our conceptual model the pre-understanding was of utmost importance, since the results from the previous study made it possible to choose the key factors for the becoming of a Learning Organization in the special case of Växjö Airport. The model namely includes the factors systems thinking, groups and teams, shared vision, leadership style and communication. Another important component of this thesis is the practical accomplishment of several meetings, which attempted to improve the main obstacles in the organization. The analysis capitalizes on the comparison between the model and the collected empirical data, which is based on the interviews with several employees of the organization as well as our observations of the conducted meetings. Thereby, we identify the special characteristics of each key factor. In addition, we highlight the possible obstacles or problems in the implementation. Due to this analysis we can conclude that our model presents the most important key factors for the becoming of a Learning Organization in the contemplated organization. However, we also realized the difficulty of changing people’s mind and thus the complexity of the implementation. We also discovered that Organizational Learning is an ongoing process, which is never completed.

¡@¡@Since 1990s, rapidly changing business environments such as information technology advancements and global logistical competitions have brought enterprises many challenges. Recently, due to its rapid economic grow, China has become a ¡§world factory¡¨ but it will also cause the steel industry to face the problem of sterner challenges and crises for coping the huge steel demand. Most enterprises may make efforts to retain their competency and keep abreast of market status through so-called business process reengineering (BPR). Under such circumstances, it becomes very important for steel industry to integrate their business process and core competence to improve the competitive advantages. ¡@¡@Through literature review, in-depth interviews with experts and implementing experience of BPR project in steel plant, a reference model was developed to examine the core competence and facilitate the BPR. Some cases from domestic and oversea steel companies with successful experience in BPR project have been studied for validation of the model. And the result shows that this validated model can be used for the steel industry to implement their BPR projects. ¡@¡@In this study, it is also indicated that the core competence, composed of managerial system, physical system, skill and values of behavior, is very crucial to successfully fulfill the business process reengineering. The BPR project needs CEO¡¦s full support. The practical technical system and the skill of employees may speed up to build and maintain the new process. However if the new system is deemed to likely violate the rights and interests of employees, they may resist to reform. Therefore the learning organization in managerial system should guide the employees and communicate occasionally with their employees and with forming a value and a paradigm of common behavior in the company, the BPR could be actually carried out.

This study aimed to investigate the innovation practices and the factors contributing to innovativeness in Bah&ccedil / eSehir Science and Technology High School (BSTHS). The study was designed as a case study and different qualitative data collection techniques were used to collect the data. 17 participants of this study were chosen among administrators, science and mathematics teachers and 4 students. The study documented both managerial and academic innovations at the School. Besides, the factors contributing to innovativeness at BSTHS were documented. Research findings show that the BSTHS was successful in establishing a place within the Turkish Education System as a new and original education institution. The BSTHS administration is working on, based on an effective leadership, providing most suitable conditions for education and learning, and they are doing that with a participatory administration approach. Beyond that, they constructed an effective network with the support of the Bah&ccedil / eSehir University towards the development of the school in line with its targets. According to the research findings, foremost aspects that make the BSTHS innovative and original are a new curriculum, an individual-based education system, application of new technologies in education and learning processes and the establishment of the institution as a self-learning organization. It is argued that different factors (e.g., leadership, participative management, social interaction, knowledge share) are combined with quality inputs (e.g., students, staff, technology, physical infrastructure) have contributed to the creation of a culture of innovation. Hence, it is concluded that extensive physical or financial resources are not enough to accomplish innovativeness. Besides, a culture of innovation needs to be cultivated in order to accomplish innovation.

<p>This thesis deals with the need for development in contemporary organizations in order to stay competitive. Thereby, we focus on the concept of Learning Organizations, which is a well-known theory of developing for organizations. In the context of this thesis we identify the key factors for the becoming of a Learning Organization in the contemplated organization, which is Växjö Airport. However, this thesis also includes an attempt to improve the situation at the airport.</p><p>The thesis at hand is conducted with a qualitative approach due to the need of a thorough understanding about the procedures in the organization. It is important to mention that the thesis is based on a previous study, thus our pre-understanding was influenced by the empirical findings of this study. In this context the most suitable approach is the abductive method.</p><p>For the development of our conceptual model the pre-understanding was of utmost importance, since the results from the previous study made it possible to choose the key factors for the becoming of a Learning Organization in the special case of Växjö Airport. The model namely includes the factors systems thinking, groups and teams, shared vision, leadership style and communication. Another important component of this thesis is the practical accomplishment of several meetings, which attempted to improve the main obstacles in the organization.</p><p>The analysis capitalizes on the comparison between the model and the collected empirical data, which is based on the interviews with several employees of the organization as well as our observations of the conducted meetings. Thereby, we identify the special characteristics of each key factor. In addition, we highlight the possible obstacles or problems in the implementation.</p><p>Due to this analysis we can conclude that our model presents the most important key factors for the becoming of a Learning Organization in the contemplated organization. However, we also realized the difficulty of changing people’s mind and thus the complexity of the implementation. We also discovered that Organizational Learning is an ongoing process, which is never completed.</p>

Talent management has been a heating-up topic in recent years. It has a positive effect on the ability to create a compelling, productive, and valued enterprise for all stakeholders — employees, customers, business partners and investors. Moreover, talent management facilitated talent flexibility and enables the rapid growth of the business, ensuring rapid alignment with the requirements established by business leaders as the company evolved. Meanwhile, the importance for a company to attract and retain a high-quality workforce is moving into the boardroom agenda, more and more attention is pain on this acute topic. In this thesis, we are doing the research on how to build up a talent factory within the company – how to recruit the most outstanding people to meet the business needs, how to maximize the potential of employees, how to put the right people in the right position and finally how to keep the best people in the company. In order to achieve it, we conducted our research from different methodologies (literatures, case studies, interviews) to find the answer our research question: is talent management a science or an art in order to build up a talent factory? At the end, we came out of our own understanding about the talent management and the accommodations of building up a talent factory.

The thesis paper analyzes the role of information systems developing the learning organization concept in the higher educational institutions‘ environment. On a basis of scientific literature analysis, a detailed research on a learning organization and analysis of concepts of information system are carried out, close communication between development of the concept of the learning organization and uses of information systems is emphasized. In the paper the information infrastructure of Klaipėda University is investigated, the information and data flows between departments of the university are analyzed. The paper offers work ways of development of the concepts of the learning organization inducing organizational double loop learning, cooperation and knowledge dispersion at the Klaipėda University. The given methodology is applied to the information system of Klaipėda University. In the thesis paper there are also offered directions of the learning organization‘s concept developing in the environment of higher educational institutions.

Mokykloms, kaip ir kitoms organizacijoms, būdinga organizacijos kaita, nors jų bendruomenė ir yra linkusi išlaikyti status quo, dėl dažnai suprantamo kultūros išsaugojimo, kaip konkrečios visuomenės stabilumo garanto, misijos supratimo. Taigi, mokytojo misija tampa būti tuo įžvalgiu liudininku tarp visuomenės suprastų pokyčių būtinumo ir mokyklos bendruomenės, besivadovaujančios tradicija. Vadinasi, mokyklos tapimas besimokančia organizacija įtakotų sėkmingesnį šios misijos atlikimą. Ši idėja remiasi daugelio mokslininkų darbais, kuriuose akcentuojama, kad mokymasis tampa esminiu individo sėkmingos karjeros ir organizacijos išlikimo veiksniu bei sėkmingo vystymosi ir prisitaikymo prie kintančios aplinkos garantu. Organizacijų gebėjimas aptikti žinias, asimiliuoti naujas idėjas, pritaikyti jas veikloje greičiau negu varžovai - turi tiesioginę įtaką konkurenciniam pranašumui, vystymuisi ir išlikimui rinkoje. Mokymasis integruojasi į organizacijos veiklą, yra šių dienų sampratoje nauja darbo forma, produktyvios veiklos sąlyga ir garantas. Vadinasi, gimnazijos tapimas besimokančia tampa viena iš išlikimo rinkoje ir jos įtakojimo, prielaidų, tačiau pirmiausia yra tikslinga išsiaiškinti, kiek organizacija yra pasirengusi ja tapti. Tai ir sudaro šio darbo mokslinę problemą. Tyrimo objektas - pasirengimas tapti besimokančia organizacija. Tyrimo tikslas - įvertinti gimnazijos pasirengimą tapti besimokančia organizacija. Tyrimo uždaviniai: - išryškinti gimnazijos, kaip... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Schools have a tendency for a frequent organizational change, though the school community itself is more willing to maintain the status quo, due to its understanding of its mission – to maintain culture which guarantees stability of a particular society. So, schoolteacher’s mission is to be that insightful witness between the necessities for a change as the society sees it, and the tradition-oriented school community. Thus, school becoming a learning organization would facilitate successful implementation of this mission. This idea refers to the scientific works, which emphasize the fact that learning becomes the main factor in individual’s successful career and survival of an organization and guarantees ability to adapt to the constantly changing environment. Capability of organizations to discover knowledge, assimilate new ideas, to apply them in practice faster than the competitors, has a direct impact on their competitiveness, development and survival in the market. Learning becomes integral part of organizational activity. In modern-day understanding it is a new form of work; it also conditions and ensures productivity. This means that for gymnasium becoming a learning organization is one of prerequisites for survival and influence in the market, but first and foremost it is important to ascertain to what extent is the organization ready to become such. That constitutes the scientific problem of this study. Object of the research: readiness to become a learning... [to full text]

This master’s final paper formulates the aim to explore the need and effectiveness of changes in learning organization. The conception of changes is analysed and founded on theoretical concepts. The conception of learning organization is determined in accordance with theoretical and empirical facts. Factors that influence the creation of learning organization’s model are established. The research can be employed as the source to organize seminars for members of organizations, to test the lacks of employees’ competence, to train managers and to make the management courses.