Graduate Studies Journal of Organizational Dynamics

Graduate Studies Journal of Organizational Dynamics (GSJOD) publishes scholarly papers written by students of the Organizational Dynamics graduate studies program. Papers are encouraged across a broad range of approaches including qualitative, quantitative, field, laboratory, meta-analytic, descriptive, normative, case, theoretic, multi- and trans-disciplinary, and/or those that use combination methods of inquiry or commentary.

Submitted papers must meet the submission requirements and authors of accepted papers must complete an Author Agreement/Release.

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Publication
    Philadelphia's Water Supply: How Human Capital and Collaboration Can Overcome Significant Man-Made Challenges
    (2013-01-16) Harris, Montgomery
    This paper focuses on the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania water supply – past, present, and future – and makes the case that stakeholder collaboration is essential to preserve and enhance this important resource. I argue that without proper planning and funding allocations, the water supply of Philadelphia could be compromised, and by 2050 Philadelphians could learn that an inexpensive, seemingly endless supply of water is substantially diminished. Public awareness is critical as Philadelphia and the United States are both likely to move into an era of water scarcity and onerous water pricing models. The more stakeholders work together to prepare for future strains on their key natural resource, the better the quality of life will be for people and for the other inhabitants of our natural world.
  • Publication
    A Hint of This and a Pinch of That: Theories That Inform Coaching and Consulting
    (2013-01-16) Gloss, Erica J
    This paper explores five theories that inform the academics and practice of organizational consulting and executive coaching: multi-dimensional executive coaching, adult transformational learning, emotional intelligence, cognitive behavior theory, and positive psychology. I discuss themes within these theories including the use of self as a tool to understand organizational environments, examination of the individual through the lens of systemic forces, establishment of positive perspectives, and the importance of qualifying and quantifying coaching outcomes. I argue that by using these theories and themes as intervention frameworks and processes, consulting and coaching models and practices can be flexible, grounded in construct, and organizationally integrated in terms of the client and the coach.
  • Publication
    A Car Ride Home
    (2013-01-16) McGinley, Michael
    Storytelling is an often-overlooked tool that invites and engages one to become a participant within an unfolding experience. The stories presented for the graduate course, DYNM 673: Stories in Organizations: Tools for Executive Development were written to show how to use narrative as a vehicle to explore the meaning of an incident and to appreciate divergent points of view. The paper was also written to demonstrate the efficacy of storytelling as a medium for deeper learning and understanding. Because they concern conflict based on differing perceptions, both are organizational challenges that managers face daily. Effective management requires reflection on how competing opinions influence interpretation of a problem and how conflict affects decision making and problem solving. Suggestions for enabling effective reflection are offered through a review of literature, organizational examples, and the use of the opening narrative.
  • Publication
    Use of Narrative to Promote Alternative Treatment Methods for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Semi-Self-Portrait
    (2011-08-31) Hostrander, Howard
    Storytelling serves to communicate, in a non‐threatening way, new ideas that can inspire people to action. When done well, a story will draw readers in and help them create a reality where there is no division between the version of the storyteller and the reader. It is when the two stories become one in the reader’s mind that the greatest chance exists for change and action. In telling my story it is my desire to enable action not only by those suffering the effects of mild Traumatic Brain Injury or Post Traumatic Stress, but by those who love, live, work with or supervise them. My story is meant to help overcome the cultural bias that prevents one from seeking mental health assistance and to dispel the assumption of heresy with regard to alternative treatment modalities. By exposing my own pain and learning, both physical and mental, I hope to show others a pathway out of the false reality the brain can create in its self‐defense.
  • Publication
    The Environmental Sustainability of Paper
    (2011-08-31) Smith, Richard
    Over 20 years ago, it was thought that the paperless office (or close to it) would be a reality by 2011. Ironically, since then print volume has actually increased, as people now print emails, web pages, etc. Additionally, paper used for packaging, tissue products and newsprint demonstrate how prevalent paper usage is in daily activity. The rich history of the papermaking industry in New Hampshire is presented to exemplify the nega-tive environmental impact the paper industry has created as well as the improvements leaders in the paper industry are making to reduce their carbon footprint and clean up their operations. Indeed, when a Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) is performed, it is revealed how high the carbon footprint and environmental im-pact really are due to the resource-intensive processes required for the making of paper products. LCA affirms that reducing paper consumption and paper packaging of products can have a significant impact on reducing the carbon footprint of an organization, as well as decreasing costs, and there is, in fact, a recent trend to decrease paper consumption in corporations, primarily because of the high costs of pur-chasing paper and printing. This paper posits that although both papermakers and consumers of paper products are finding new processes and technologies to help them reduce consumption and waste, it is nascent technologies and innovations that have yet to be developed that will ultimately alter the papermaking industry for the bet-terment of the environment. Sustainable solutions are being developed, but more are needed. The deci-sions by corporations and society today will have a lasting impact on the future of paper.
  • Publication
    Shades of Blue: Lenses and Perspectives on Organizational Dynamics
    (2011-08-31) Yarosh, Scott
    Some of the most influential people in my life had blue eyes: Carolina blue, iceberg blue, Scottish blue, and others. In seeking inspiration for my path of study toward the Master of Science degree in Organizational Dynamics, I have explored my own life and history as well as the history of our country to look through the lenses of the blue eyes of influential people. From their perspectives and my own, what would be the most important questions to ask and research during the next several years at Penn? As I am very early in my course of study, this paper will set forth some of those questions and will tell my story of inquiry and hope for enlightenment and knowledge.
  • Publication
    A Public-Private Initiative to Reduce Food Waste: A Framework for Local Communities
    (2011-08-31) Finn, Steven M.
    The problem of global food waste is critical to resolve – from the standpoint of both alleviating hunger and improving the environment by reducing carbon emissions and landfill usage. Successfully reducing food waste requires involving many stakeholders – both public and private – and galvanizing them to overcome barriers through positive action. This paper draws on lessons in stakeholder management from an impressive sustainability project involving multiple stakeholders – the implementation of the Vélib’ bicycle program in Paris – and applies them to the issue of reducing food waste at the local community level. The framework is a “start‐small” approach on which to build.