The purpose of this article is to understand the impact of radical change initiatives such as large VEROs or RIFs on the organizational memory system (OMS), specifically the tacit…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to understand the impact of radical change initiatives such as large VEROs or RIFs on the organizational memory system (OMS), specifically the tacit and explicit knowledge held by individuals.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative case study design was used to explore and describe OMS in a securities industry organization that experienced radical change. Interviews, document analysis, and observation followed by thematic coding and analysis using Atlas.ti® software were used to collect and analyze data. A total of 16 organizational officers, directors, managers, and specialists participated in the interviews.
Findings
Findings suggest the same OMS devices were in use before, during, and after radical change initiatives occurred. However, the degree or proportion of use of these devices changed after the change initiatives. Overall, there was some loss of knowledge, but the loss appeared to have no effect on the organization's profitability.
Research limitations/implications
Findings suggest that certain factors (industry role, nature of the work, and the configuration of work groups) may have influenced the results. Other factors were a management team strongly committed to change, protention of thinking, and continuous communication. Through activities of sense‐making, succession planning, automation, and training, the organization managed to develop and increase the use of its memory system to retain knowledge as well as generate new knowledge.
Practical implications
This research provides information for practitioners who may be helping their organizations transform through radical change and are concerned about the potential loss of information and knowledge resident in organization memory systems.
Originality/value
This case study points to some important practical lessons and actions that can serve as a blueprint for how to manage radical organizational change and preserve the tacit and explicit knowledge aspects of organizational memory.
Details
Keywords
Manorama Tripathi and V.K.J. Jeevan
The paper aims to study how the present distance learning libraries can improve upon their existing services and introduce new ones to enhance quality of services to distance…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to study how the present distance learning libraries can improve upon their existing services and introduce new ones to enhance quality of services to distance learners.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper includes a review of literature on quality assurance in open and distance education in general and student support services in particular. It studies and compares the current practices followed by libraries at open universities, which have proved trailblazers in distance education.
Findings
This paper proposes an action plan for distance learning libraries and offers suggestions for improving their library services.
Originality/value
This paper will be of interest to library science researchers and professionals working in distance learning libraries with responsibility for quality assurance.