We have mentioned in this group the slowness of colleges and
universities (at least the ones I know in the USA and Venezuela), to
respond or react to any of those forces. Sometimes there is no reaction
at all! It seems that the events are not happening. I have spent many
years directly and indirectly associated with a Fire Department in
Venezuela, and have seen a similar behavior. This organization spent some
15 to 20 years without even acknowledging certain important forces
(social, technical, cultural, etc) that were affecting its own
performance. I am glad to see that for the last 10 years, this same
organization has made tremendous progress toward that evolution (I have
even participated in some of them!).
> I think the organism adapts; doesn't it? Therefore the evolution or
> change is neither good or bad - it is the adaptation to a situation which
> tends towards a resultant value of good or bad. So?????
>
I don't think that it is neither good or bad. But, if an
organization wants to stay in a specif path (a market, product line,
service, education, developing new knowledge, or whatever), then it must
evolve in the same direction and at the same speed, or even faster, than
the changes/evolution/developments taking plaxce in the organization's
specific environment(s). I think that it was Senge who said that
organizations to be competitive must learn faster that the changes and
developments in its environment (or something like that!).
> > Let me use an extreme example. The natives in the Amazon are not changing
> > or evolving as the rest of the world is. But becuase they have not
> > changed, and they haven't even been concerned with that change, "they are
> > farther away" from us in terms of evolution. The more they wait to change
> > or evolve, they farther they will be from us, which represent a change in
> > their position relative to other humans. This is a negative change!
>
> Well,,,,,maybe not. How do we know it is negative; if we were
> looping this story we are telling into a systemic think; how
> would it look? Thand you for your wonderful thoughts. Have a
> good day! MYRNA@WP.DHSS.STATE.WI.US
>
> -----
Myrna, I think that this was not a very good example because most
natives are not very interested in the developments of the "civilized"
society. But I also think that if we knew more about how they live,
interact with their environment, etc., we could be able to explain their
organization applying systemic thinking!
I am sorry for using the term "negative change." I really did it
for the lack of a better term. For instance, I am convinced that unless
universities become learning organizations themselves, they will not be
able to stay in the same "business" they are today. I would say that some
of them are already losing part of their business to, private businesses
for instance, that might have the awareness, the acceptance, the need, and
the resources to evolve or develop through new knowledge, improved
technical processes, etc. So, I am saying that as universities and
colleges spend resources in "non-learning" efforts to defend their turf,
they are really falling farther behind that goal - protecting their
business! And this is not positive! I would add that instead of
"negative changing, organizations that do not evolve and develop, become
obsolete!
Am I explaining this better?
I am learning a lot with all of your comments and insights. Ivan,
***************************************************************
R. IVAN BLANCO, Ph.D. Voice 305 899-3515
Assoc. Prof. & Director Fax 305 892-6412
International Business Programs
Andreas School of Business _________E-Mail Addresses________
Barry University Bitnet: Blanco%bu4090@Barryu
Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695 Internet: Blanco@bu4090.barry.edu
<<<<< ---------------- >>>>>
"Las naciones marchan hacia el termino de su grandeza, con
el mismo paso que camina su educacion." "The nations march
toward their greatness at the same pace as their educational
systems evolve." Simon Bolivar
===============================================================