Performance Driven Organizational Change or Career Counseling

Performance-Driven Organizational Change: The Organizational Portfolio

Author: Lex Donaldson

In Performance-Driven Organizational Change, Lex Donaldson, one of the leading scholars in the field of organizational theory, introduces a thought-provoking theory of performance-driven organizational change. He argues that recurrent crises of poor organizational performance are required to trigger adaptive organizational change in many aspects of the organization. Moreover, the adaptive change induced by each crisis creates the capacity for fresh organizational growth. Hence, through a series of adaptations and resulting growth spurts, the organization grows larger and more effective. He notes that while there has been much research into optimal management and human resource practices resulting in prescriptive advice, that without performance crises there is a good chance that needed organizational change will not be forthcoming.

This book is highly recommended for advanced students, researchers, and scholars in the areas of organization theory, organizational change, strategy, human resource management, and economics.

Booknews

Proposes a new theory of organizational adaptation and growth, built on contingency theory. Donaldson (organization design, the Australian Graduate School of Management) argues that recurrent crises of poor organizational performance are required to induce the adaptive change necessary for organizations to grow larger and more effective. He cites examples from research across multiple disciplines in support of his ideas. Of interest to students and scholars in the areas of strategy, human resource management, economics, and organizational change. Paper edition (unseen), $24.95. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Interesting textbook: Microeconomics in Context or Business Ethics

Career Counseling: A Narrative Approach

Author: Larry Cochran

For decades, scholars and professionals have been attracted to theories offering a deeper view of career, but have been frustrated by difficulties in translating theories of meaning making, development, and identity into viable practice. At the same time, there has been growing disenchantment with impersonal techniques of matching an individual's traits with skills required for a specific vocation. While personality traits and talents may help to predict a predisposition to a career type, this method of analysis neglects the influences of human purpose, passion, and life history. In Career Counseling, author Larry Cochran fills the void by introducing the theory of narrative construction, a method of counseling that injects personal identity into career development in a practical way. Cochran demonstrates how literary models and constructivist methods can be used in career development to provide the essential subjective dimension that has been lacking in practical counseling. In addition, he provides the innovative materials that are necessary for making this process both efficient and effective. Contributing a unique and important perspective and approach to career counseling, this volume will be widely used by scholars and professionals in the fields of career counseling, clinical/counseling psychology, social psychology, and management.

Table of Contents:

	Foreword
	Preface
1	The Narrative Basis of Career Counseling	1
2	Elaborating a Career Problem	35
3	Composing a Life History	55
4	Founding a Future Narrative	83
5	Actualizing Narrative	105
6	The Storied Ecology of Career Development	133
	References	153
	Index	162
	About the Author	166