Sustainable change: knowledge absorption as a factor of absorptive capacity theory among green industry consultants

2011 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.Researchers and practitioners have been interested in organizational learning as a means to improve performance (Gilley, Dean, & Bierema, 2001; Senge, 1990). The diversity of individuals comprising the context of an organization requires response to change to continue competitive organizational development. When influences and triggers pressure an organization to change, a niche is created for the external consultant. Consultants assist organizations to become more conscious of their own capabilities to successfully address, acknowledge, and use knowledge from internal and external environments. The purpose of this study is to assess the use of knowledge types identified within ACAP theory by consultants guiding clients on a path toward sustainable change. This study enhances existing research regarding absorptive capacity by looking for evidence of new knowledge through the lens of sustainable change. The research goal is to ascertain the active use of key factors of knowledge absorption by green consultants. Findings of this study support a relationship among the consultant's role and the client's capabilities. Utilizing sustainable change strategies and the consultant's complex set of skills the consultant works with a client exhibiting existing strategies supportive of sustainable change. Determining the types of knowledge already present within the organization, green consultant's focus on a customized approach offered through tactics for sustainable change to achieve organizational objectives creating lasting and sustainable change

Creative synthesis inventory: constructing quantitative measures capturing attributes of design thinking, The

2017 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.Stimulated by Lockwood's discussion of design thinking, creativity, and innovation and their impact on new business growth (2009), this research project sought to develop quantitative measurement of factors and attributes contributing to increased innovation in organizations; specifically within the context of creative synthesis encompassing the design thinking environment. Creative synthesis is the process or leap of faith and intuition leading to the achievement of an effective and creative problem solution. The development process resulting in the Creative Synthesis Inventory (CSI) considered the six step framework developed by Schmiedel, vom Brock, and Recker's (2014). The development process incorporated three phases and used responses from professional and industry experts and over six hundred student participants. Checkpoints were used at the conclusion of each step and the research design used mixed methods resulting in validation of a 19-item instrument. The CSI is intended to enable organizations and consultants to locate strengths and weaknesses for specific factors and attributes related to the constructs within the creative synthesis process