ERIC Number: EJ958166
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Apr
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0090-4392
EISSN: N/A
Community Organizational Learning: Case Studies Illustrating a Three-Dimensional Model of Levels and Orders of Change
Perkins, Douglas D.; Bess, Kimberly D.; Cooper, Daniel G.; Jones, Diana L.; Armstead, Theresa; Speer, Paul W.
Journal of Community Psychology, v35 n3 p303-328 Apr 2007
We present a three-dimensional cube framework to help community organizational researchers and administrators think about an organization's learning and empowerment-related structures and processes in terms of first-order (incremental or ameliorative) and second-order (transformative) change at the individual, organizational, and community levels. To illustrate application of the framework, case studies of three different types of exemplary nonprofit organizations (a participatory neighborhood planning organization, a grassroots faith-based social action coalition, and a larger community-based human service agency) were based on qualitative interviews and participant observations. Our analysis, rooted in organizational learning theory, suggests that organizations that empower staff and volunteers through opportunities for learning and participation at the "individual level" are better able to succeed in terms of "organizational-level" learning and transformation. "Community-level" change is particularly difficult but must be made a more explicit goal. Learning that can lead to second-order change at each level must help participants engage in critical analysis of (a) the organization's demonstrated goals and values; (b) the power relationships implicit in decision making at each level; (c) the interdependent role of participant stakeholders and organizations as part of a complex, community-wide (or larger) system; and (d) how to work toward transformative change of all of the above. (Contains 4 footnotes, 1 table, and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Nonprofit Organizations, Case Studies, Organizational Change, Systems Approach, Qualitative Research, Participant Observation, Organizational Theories, Learning Theories, Organizational Objectives, Values, Interpersonal Relationship, Power Structure, Change Strategies, Decision Making, Stakeholders, Role, Social Action, Human Services
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

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