| Guest lecturer Professor Ali Dastmalchian (right) is pictured with (f... Guest lecturer Professor Ali Dastmalchian (right) is pictured with (from left) Professor Kathy Eagar (Centre for Health Services Development) and Dr Mark Rix and Dr Grace McCarthy from the Graduate School of Business |
Canadian Dean presents Graduate School of Business lecture
29 Apr 2008 | Bernie Goldie
The Dean of the Faculty of Business at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, presented a lunchtime seminar yesterday (28 April) on the topic, “Is your organisation ready for change? Lessons from a Canadian study”.
The presentation was delivered by Professor Ali Dastmalchian on behalf of UOW’s Graduate School of Business.
The presentation discussed findings from a Canadian study in health care organisations. The audience heard that the findings of this study had far- reaching implications for all organisations -- not just those in the healthcare sector.
The study explores the idea of fitness or readiness for change in a sample of Canadian health care organisations. Using the framework suggested by Beer and Nohria (2000) in which two approaches to change is suggested (Theory E and Theory O) the study examines the applicability of this framework for change in organisations in general and health care organisations in particular.
Theory E is based on the creation of economic value and Theory O on developing lasting organisational capabilities.
Professor Dastmalchian said the ideal objective was to integrate the two theories (Theory EO).
The data were collected from administrators and medical directors from across the province of Alberta in Canada, using survey and case study methods. The results indicated that although the majority of health organisations perceive themselves as subscribing to a combined theoretical approach to change (Theory EO), those that subscribe solely to Theory E rate themselves as achieving overall higher levels of effectiveness.
Professor Dastmalchian holds a PhD in organisational analysis from the Cardiff Business School at the University of Wales. He first joined the University of Victoria as director of the faculty's MBA programs and professor of organisational analysis and was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Business in 2002.
His main research and teaching interests are in the areas of organisational design and flexibility, organisational climate, management of change, organisational power and politics, executive leadership, and cross-cultural management theory.
Professor Dastmalchian has designed and participated in executive development programs throughout Asia and the Middle East.
His visit to UOW was supported by the Australian National Business School, a consortium of Australian universities. He is currently the Chair of the Canadian Federation of Business School Deans.
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