Challenges/Opportunities
Changing organizational cultures
Creating new kinds of jobs
Incorporating innovation into organizations
Leveraging support from university
Developing clear vision and goals in a constantly changing environment
Notes:
Universities traditionally have separate centers for services, research, and production operations. In creating new centers that merge these functions, we are also creating change in the way groups work together. Roles change, and groups that previously functioned separately now work together. The creation of these organizations also allows for new kinds of positions that blend scholarship, research, operations, information science, teaching, and technology development.This sort of blending of functions can create tensions and stress, but it can also create a sense of excitement that can translate into support from the university.
Our challenge is to maintain a clear focus amidst excitement and rapid change. Things must get done, and real products that sustain themselves must result from all of this activity. It is important to keep this focus on productivity and real operational effectiveness and not get lost in theories.