All ye need to know? Aesthetics from a design perspective

Design

The Human Capital Dimensions of Sustainable Investment: What Investment Analysts Need to Know

This paper identifies a number of questions that need to be answered if the growing interest in building investment portfolios of firms that follow socially and environmentally sustainable practices is to be successful in transforming the financial institutions and analysts from a liability to an asset in expanding the number of sustainable firms in the economy. Evidence from three decades of research on "high performance workplace practices" is reviewed that identifies what is required for firms to align human capital and financial strategies. A longer term research and education agenda is presented for answering the remaining open questions

All ye need to know? : aesthetics from a design perspective

In support of the notion that the aesthetic side of organisations is as yet underdeveloped in organisation theory, we develop in this paper a research agenda for studying the impact of aesthetics on organizations. We take a design perspective (Romme, 2003; Van Aken, 2004) and structure the field of aesthetics in organization following an input-output model of organizations. This leads us to the development of seven hypotheses, which address the various aspects in which beauty in organisations influences organisational performance, as well as the various factors that drive organisational beauty. We also further develop our conceptual gear, by discussing the concepts process aesthetics, product aesthetics and aesthetic sensibility. We suggest that the key aspects of aesthetic sensibility (robustness, breath, sharpness and tolerance) can be of aid in understanding why some of us are more aesthetic sensible then others

The Library Workforce: What Deans/Directors Need to Know

This paper was presented at the International Association of University Libraries conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Under the conference sub-theme of preparing the workforce and skills development, this paper identifies and discusses some key human resource (HR) drivers for the academic library workforce of the 21st century. The value of strategic workforce planning is identified, and strategies around learning and development, appreciation and celebration, relationship building and collaboration, and conversation and communication are discussed. Case experiences from the University Library at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) provide practical examples for the consideration of dean/directors and other library leaders charged with the responsibility of preparing the workforce and skills development

Coaching: What business and social researchers need to know about it

This paper explores the historical and current world of organizational coaching. Coaching is offered as a means of assistance to aid organizational leaders in effectively responding to the stressful external and internal demands associated with their positions or ones to which they aspire. Coaching is also discussed as a vehicle for improving individual and team performance as well as for actualizing a leader’s inherent potential. This work draws heavily upon current literature and practice in both the leadership and coaching fields. It also provides a review of relevant theory, contrasts the roles of leader and manager, defines executive coaching, and surveys its brief history. The paper concludes by noting important areas of linkage between leadership and coaching, specifies the potential benefits from developing a viable connection, and identifies some of the complex issues yet to be resolved

All you need to know about action research, 2nd edition

What is action research? Why do action research? When should you use action research? In the second edition of All You Need to Know about Action Research, expert practitioners Jean McNiff and Jack Whitehead guide you through everything you need to know to plan and carry out a successful action research project. The book provides: - A guide to the history and philosophy underpinning action research - Comprehensive coverage of the main theoretical debates in action research - A unique understanding of how action research can help your learning and your professional practice - Practical help in planning your project - Help with writing about your research and disseminating your findings. The second edition has been thoroughly updated throughout, and now includes new real-life case studies from Education, Health and Business. A new chapter on reviewing the literature has been added and the sections on data gathering and analysis have been updated to take into account the latest technological advances

what do we know and need to know?

This paper presents a review of existing theoretical perspectives and empirical work on strategic IT outsourcing. By presenting the main findings of various recent studies and elaborating on current research gaps it conveys a picture of the past research, the present findings and the future applications of IT outsourcing. Prior research has generated theoretical insights and largely qualitative evidence on IT outsourcing. While quantitative studies remain sparse, limited to decisionmaking and performance, there is a lack of quantitative empirical research examining outsourcing processes more comprehensively. This paper outlines a simple, yet integrative process model and develops propositions, which serve to integrate and compare theoretical strands, to evaluate existing empirical research and to stimulate new avenues of empirical research

Need to Know Review Number two: What Local Government Needs to Know about Public Health

This review of existing research on local government and public health focuses on the leadership role of local government in developing local public health systems that are capable of addressing the wider determinants of health

What Do City Planners Need to Know? When Do They Need to Know It?

Do university planning programs provide their graduates with the knowledge, skills and values they will require in their professional careers? A national on-line survey of planning practitioners finds that there is a close correspondence between what planners consider to be important and the curriculum standards and criteria of the Planning Accreditation Board, which are the model for the curricula of accredited Planning degrees. Individual elements are ranked high in importance, regardless of respondents’ educational and occupational characteristics. Both Globalization and Sustainability/Environmental Quality received relatively low importance rankings from respondents; this suggests areas for increased attention by universities and continuing education