A Qualitative Approach to Transfer of Training for Managers in Leadership Development

Learning and development (L&D) professionals in a Fortune 500 company were unable to determine whether managers who completed leadership development courses were transferring what they learned to their work practices. The purpose of this qualitative single instrumental case study was to uncover the factors that accelerated or impeded the transfer of training for employees in the workplace. The conceptual framework was social cognitive learning theory with emphasis on the triadic reciprocal causation model. Guiding questions were used to explore 2 areas: (a) how managers described their preparedness to transfer the training to their jobs, and (b) how managers described their perceptions of the transfer of training from the concepts learned in class to practical job application. Data were collected through one-on-one online interviews with 12 managers who had completed a leadership development course. Data analysis included organizing the data; reading them multiple times; developing codes, categories, and themes; and interpreting the findings. Over 90% of the participants stated that they felt prepared to implement the training after the class. However, only half reported a moderate to high level of confidence incorporating the training into their work. A 3-day professional development project was designed to heighten awareness of the benefits of advancing the transference and application of training with a strong focus on driving social change in the workplace through improved interpersonal skills between managers and their direct reports

Strategies to Improve Knowledge Management Initiatives in Oil and Gas Companies

According to a study by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, oil and gas industry experts estimated a loss of 231,000 years of cumulative experience and knowledge due to retirements. Strategies to improve knowledge management initiatives are important for oil and gas industry business leaders seeking to maintain, sustain, and develop knowledge in their organizations. Grounded in knowledge creation theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies that business leaders use to improve knowledge management initiatives with their employees in an oil and gas company located in Lagos, Nigeria. Data were collected from semistructured interviews completed by telephone with 10 business leaders and from company procedures, policies, and guidelines. Data were analyzed using Yin\u27s 5-step process. Three key themes emerged from this study: organizational knowledge documentation, implementation of employee knowledge acquisition strategies, and the transfer of knowledge to enhance personnel capabilities. A key recommendation is for oil and gas industry business leaders to focus on employee development and use knowledge acquisition, knowledge transfer, and knowledge documentation as key knowledge management processes. The implications for positive social change could include the potential to enhance employees\u27 intellectual capital and leaders\u27 competencies, which could improve employee job satisfaction and employee performance, improving business profitability. This profitability could increase employment, employee incomes, and tax revenues, which could improve the standard of living in the local community

Wind Energy Development in Ontario: Factors Influencing Deployment and Policy Outcomes

The goal of this thesis is to gain an understanding of the factors promoting and hindering wind energy development (henceforth WED) from the perspective of communities and developers in Ontario. Ontario arguably has one of the most ambitious policies for WED in the world, centered on the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 (henceforth GEA). Despite progressing to become Canada’s leading province in installed wind energy capacity, various conflicts and roadblocks to deployment remain evident. In response to gaps identified in literature seeking to understand the factors that impact the (un)successful deployment of wind power, the current thesis provides multiple methodological roadmaps for gaining a more holistic understanding of WED through media analysis. Specific to the Ontario context, the thesis aims to understand the factors that promote or hinder community support for WED. As well, the goal is to understand the factors promoting or hindering the activities of wind energy developers within the province. The aforementioned objectives are addressed through media content analysis and semi-structured interviews respectively. While results from the media analysis suggests that social acceptance is most strongly impacted by health and economic factors, developer interviews suggest that the elimination of local planning for WED has created major disconnects between developers and host communities. This disconnect has consequently compromised the deployment of the technology. The study makes methodological, theoretical and policy contributions to existing literature on WED. Methodologically, the study demonstrates the efficacy of media content analysis for understanding the temporal evolution of social responses to WED and developing interview instruments. The study also provides an original methodological protocol for the utilization of media analysis to understand WED. Theoretically, the study demonstrates the utility of holistic approaches for teasing out the most salient determinants of WED and policy outcomes. Finally, the study highlights the importance of community engagement in the WED process. As well, it demonstrates the need for detailed policies to guide developers and communities in their engagement with each other

Knowledge Management Strategies in Support of Succession Planning

Leader succession is a persistent strategic concern for U.S. federal agencies. The resultant loss of institutional knowledge as members retire, are replaced or are promoted significantly impacts the organization’s performance. Grounded in knowledge management theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies federal leaders use to emplace effective knowledge management programs to support succession planning. The six participants were middle and senior-level leaders of a U.S. federal agency located in Texas who had at least 5 years of experience managing their organization’s knowledge systems during succession planning and succession events. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, published documents, and organizational artifacts. Yin’s qualitative data analysis process was used to identify four themes: (a) structured knowledge systems, (b) organizational documentation, (c) knowledge transfer methods and member education, and (d) program evaluation. A key recommendation is for leaders to invest and promote resources that effectively support leadership turnover events. The implications for positive social change include the potential for leaders to implement process efficiencies that reduce the need to allocate persistent government resources, reducing communities’ tax burden while sustaining the services provided

The Labyrinth of Autism: Heuristic Journeys of Fathers Who Have a Child on the Autism Spectrum

The relationship between a father and his child on the autism spectrum (AS) is a life changing and powerful experience. However, there is a paucity in the literature about fathers and their experiences with raising a child on the AS. This research study explored the phenomenological experiences of fathers who have a child on the autism spectrum through the use of heuristic inquiry. In this study, I conducted interviews with 10 fathers whose children had an official AS diagnosis. By using Seidman’s three separate, semistructured interview method, this study highlighted fathers’ experiences and provided greater understanding into their lives. Seidman’s interview method provided opportunities for the fathers to reveal the truth in their lived experiences. They revealed their joys, sorrows, and moments that have shaped their lives. The study gathered data in key areas and are organized by the findings that emerged. These findings are organized by subquestions and include: (a) fathers’ reactions before and after receiving a diagnosis, (b) the new reality the fathers experienced, (c) the roles played by fathers in their children’s lives, (d) fathers’ views on disability, (e) the impact of the fathers’ beliefs on their views of their child and autism, (f) the experiences of fathers with two children on the AS, and (g) fathers’ experiences of personal growth. The findings in this study are significant and show the continuing commitment that fathers who have a child on the AS have regarding their children. As autism prevalence rates continue to rise, this study illustrates the need for further research on fathers who have a child on the AS

Dagstuhl News January - December 2011

"Dagstuhl News" is a publication edited especially for the members of the Foundation "Informatikzentrum Schloss Dagstuhl" to thank them for their support. The News give a summary of the scientific work being done in Dagstuhl. Each Dagstuhl Seminar is presented by a small abstract describing the contents and scientific highlights of the seminar as well as the perspectives or challenges of the research topic