Strategic competence: to soar above

Strategic Direction

ISSN: 0258-0543

Article publication date: 18 April 2008

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Keywords

Citation

Horn, A. (2008), "Strategic competence: to soar above", Strategic Direction, Vol. 24 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/sd.2008.05624ead.003

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited


Strategic competence: to soar above

Article Type: Abstracts From: Strategic Direction, Volume 24, Issue 5.

Horn A. Library Management, 2008, Vol. 29 No. 1/2, Start page: 5, No. of pages: 13

Purpose To discuss the case for change at Deakin University Library and the change process adopted, and to explore organizational competences and the structural and strategic outcomes achieved. Design/methodology/approach The library’s change process was driven by university strategic priorities and financial exigencies. Change management theory is drawn on to illustrate that the change process adopted is influenced by the state of the organization and the state of urgency. Four steps are outlined that encapsulate the process developed by the Library. These four steps draw on a book by Kotter and Rathberger, Our Iceberg Is Melting. The concept of strategic organizational competences as proposed by Thomson and Cole is adopted. Findings The case study demonstrates the need to take a structural and strategic view of the organization when developing new models of service and ways of operating. An organization needs to develop the capacity to manage both continuous and discontinuous change. The change process has delivered improvements to the library’s strategic and functional capabilities, as well as sustainable cost savings. Client satisfaction surveys indicate the quality of service provision has not diminished. Originality/value Proposes a change process that may suit other organizations. Advocates a simple conceptualization of the process that will aid communication with key stakeholders. Further, to achieve the desired strategic and structural outcomes, suggests that it is critical to assess the strategic competence of the organization.ISSN: 0143-5124Reference: 37AC742

Keywords: Academic libraries, Australia, Change management, Competences, Managerial strategy

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