Call for Presenters
Submit your proposal outlines by April 15th
Knowledge workers, knowledge management, knowledge-based organizations and
similar terms are being heard more and more as our economy shifts from its
industrial past to an information-age future. In an age where the only
certainty is uncertainty, many companies operating in this new environment
understand that knowledge is key to their success and are consciously
trying to use knowledge for competitive advantage. They are exploring and
using new ways to gather, synthesize, disseminate and create knowledge.
However, designing organizations that can do so is one of the biggest
challenges facing us as we enter the new millenium.
The 1999 AMOD Conference is focused on this challenge-to explore how
information age organizations can be designed for competitive advantage.
We are seeking speakers and case presenters with hands-on experience in
designing organizations that use knowledge for competitive advantage. We
would like you to share your experiences and know-how with conference
participants. Some key questions that frame the conference and focus
dialogue are outlined below. We invite you to build on this list and to
submit a proposal in an area of interest and excitement for you.
7 Can organizations be consciously designed to capitalize on the competitive
advantage knowledge offers? How do these organizations differ from
traditional forms?
7 What is the relationship between knowledge and information? Can knowledge
really be managed?
7 How does the so-called "new science" relate to using knowledge for
competitive advantage? .What are the implications of this paradigm for
organization designers?
7 How have companies integrated the competitive value of knowledge into their
business strategies? Has this enabled them to compete more effectively? How?
What are the costs?
7 What are the most effective strategies for gathering, synthesizing,
disseminating and/or creating knowledge?
7 Are there more effective organizational structures than others for this
purpose? If so, what do they look like? Where have they been used?
7 What business processes and work designs maximize the "knowledge advantage"?
7 What culture characteristics (norms, values, assumptions. practices) best
support knowledge-based competition?
7 How can information systems capture and promote knowledge creation?
7 How can people systems and practices be designed to support and enhance
knowledge gathering, synthesis, dissemination and generation?
7 How does leadership style impact the competitive use of knowledge?
Depending upon the final configuration of presentations and case studies,
we expect to select 9-12 presentations. Conference fees will be waived
for those who are selected.
Structural elements of the conference include:
7 Keynote and luncheon speakers explore critical questions and frame major
issues
7 Session leaders provide one to two-hour presentations and lead discussions
7 Case leaders provide actual case studies and facilitate hands-on
organization design involvement by participants
7 "Open space" type discussions where participants can explore the issues that
are of greatest interest and importance to them
7 Evening receptions designed for socializing and networking
Proposals must be received by April 15th. Speakers will be selected no later
than May 30 based on the following criteria:
7 Clear presentation of the design problem in the context of the
organization's situation, environment, vision and purpose.
7 Cases and real-life examples that illustrate design challenges and issues.
These can be successes or failures.
7 Practical concepts, principles and practices that conference participants
can take back to their workplace and put to use.
We encourage you to keep your proposal abstracts to one page for the April
15th deadline. Submit these electronically to contact Kathy Molloy,
Conference Chair, at kathleenmolloy@compuserve.com . If you have
questions, feel free to send an E-Mail or call her at ChangeWorks
International 860-659-1635 A presenter's submission "template" is
available on our web site www.amod2000.org to help you structure your
proposal outline.
We look forward to hearing from you!
--Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>