Decision-Making Group Interaction: Achieving Quality (4th Edition)

Book Description

Formerly entitled "Decision-Making Group Interaction," the new edition of this popular small group book features a new title that reflects the substantial and exciting revision it has undergone. Long known for its unique focus on issues of quality group interaction, Patton & Downs' book introduces the communication practices, patterns, and circumstances that promote or inhibit group performance. The Fourth Edition includes several new chapters addressing the most recent developments in the field and a wealth of new case studies, in addition to new and expanded information on a variety of issues: multiculturalism and diversity; strategic planning; conflict management; uses of technology in group contexts; ethics; benchmarking and quality assessment processes; and how to present findings of a group project or work team. For anyone interested in small group communication and/or group decision making.

Decision-Making Group Interaction: Achieving Quality

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Decision-Making Group Interaction: Achieving Quality
Bobby R.; Downs, Timothy M. Patton
Manufacturer: Allyn & Bacon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUBPVY

Book Description

What is the purpose of social science and management research? Do scholars/researchers have a responsibility to generate insights and knowledge that are of practical (implementable) value and validity? We are told we live in turbulent and changing times, should this not provide an important opportunity for management researchers to provide understanding and guidance? Yet there is widespread concern about the efficacy of much research: These are some of the puzzles that Chris Argyris addresses in this short book. Argyris is one of the best known management scholars in the world - a leading light whose work has consistently addressed fundamental organizational questions, and who has provided some of the key concepts and building blocks of our understanding of organizational learning - single and double learning, theory in use, and espoused theory etc. In this book he questions many of the assumptions of organizational theory and research, and his investigation is not confined to academic analysis. He also scrutinizes that capacity for 'unproductive reasoning' (self-deception and rationalization) that is common amongst managers, consultants, and indeed more generally. As well as engaging with the work of leading organizational researchers (Sennett, Gabriel, Burgelman, Czarniawska, Grint, for example)he also ponders the work of the consultants, commentators, and accountants who endorsed Enron. Throughout his purpose is to affirm the goal and values of useful knowledge. His style is direct but fair, challenging, if at times uncompromising. Drawing on his own wealth of experience of researching and working with organizations, this book will be a reference point for all concerned to develop useful knowledge and confront the defences and deceptions that are only too commonplace in the business and academic worlds.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Read!.......2005-09-27

Management scholar Chris Argyris tackles an important problem: the pervasiveness of defensive reasoning that prevents people in organizations from understanding when and why they are skillfully incompetent. Unfortunately, he employs such an academic style that his arguments are primarily useful to fellow scholars, although they would be relevant to managers if they were offered more accessibly. The professor assumes that readers are familiar with social science literature, processes, issues and vocabulary. For those who seek solutions to the organizational problem of defensive reasoning, he offers enlightening explanatory theories, but not much practical advice. That said, it is comforting to note that someone has looked seriously at the disconnection between what executives say and what they do. Argyris catalogues the dimensions of this dysfunction and proposes - although not very concretely - that it may be open to some correction, perhaps through such tools as double-loop learning and "left hand/right hand" analysis. We suggest this book to experts in organizational behavior, corporate culture and issues in scholarship about management.

Reason and Rationalizations: The Limits to Organizational Knowledge

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Reason and Rationalizations: The Limits to Organizational Knowledge
Chris Argyris
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MABNVS

Reasons And Rationalizations: The Limits To Organizational Knowledge

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Reasons And Rationalizations: The Limits To Organizational Knowledge
Chris Argyris
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OL99K2

Book Description

Coastal populations of shellfish have been exploited by humans for millennia as an easily accessible source of fresh protein. Unfortunately, because the intertidal zone and the shallow coastal margins are so intertwined with man's activities, these shellfish stocks are now severely threatened around the world. Issues such as anthropogenic pollution, harmful algal blooms, overfishing, loss of habitat, and local stakeholder conflicts are all contributing to an alarming decline in the natural productivity of these regions.

There have now been five International Conferences on Shellfish Restoration (ICSR) since 1996, which have focused the attention on transferring scientific knowledge into practical remedial and restorative actions for shellfish populations. This volume represents a selection of contributions from the third meeting in Cork, Ireland, 1999. It includes papers on lobsters, sea urchins, whelks, clams, mussels, and scallops, with a thematic emphasis on ranching, disease, environmental interactions, fisheries management, aquaculture, restoration, toxic algal blooms, and toxicity testing.

This book is primarily targeted at postgraduate students, research scientists, coastal zone managers, non-government organisations, and government officials who wish to inform themselves of the opportunities for improving and conserving our coastal shellfish stocks.

Book Description

Written in a lively, engaging style with many examples to illustrate complex concepts, this text helps readers to understand the influence of intercultural interactions in their own lives. It introduces students to disciplines, including cross-cultural psychology, intercultural communication, and international organizational behavior, that study culture's influence on human behavior. It covers a wide range of topics, such as schooling, work, gender, socialization of children, and health. This solid treatment of basic concepts applicable in the study of all behavior and social sciences lets students see that the study of culture and cultural differences is inherently connected to the other courses they will take throughout their college careers.

Customer Reviews:

From theory to practice.......2006-02-19

Understandable, practical book on how societal culture influence human behaviour and how this knowledge can be (and already is) applicated in various cross-cultural training programmes. The author combines the theory with examples from every-day life, so that the book can be understood by non-academic population.

Brislin makes it easy.......2004-01-11

Understanding Culture's Influence (2nd edition) has been my "foundation" book for a college course entitled Diversity In the Workplace.

Dr. Brislin uses an easy to follow format which is loaded with excellent analogies, making complex topics understandable.

My only negative comment would be for the publisher. As this book is used as a text, the selection of print paper was poor. Highlighters bleed through from one page to the next which makes spotting important information difficult on review.

Excelent! Academic but Readable. Suitable as textbook........1999-11-10

Of the many good books on the subject of intercultural communication and psychology, this hits a good balance of readability and academic soundness. Lots of good illustrations. Great text for college intercultural communication courses.

Understanding Culture's Influence on Behavior.

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Understanding Culture's Influence on Behavior.

Manufacturer: Harcourt Brace College Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I34A2I

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Understanding Cultures Influence on Behavior
Brislin Richard W. Brislin
Manufacturer: Harcourt College Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA8YDQ

Book Description

Global Ecology argues that the magnitude and speed of global environmental change poses a threat for the continuation of life on this planet. Many aspects of this crisis are all too familiar to us: the destruction of tropical rainforests, the hole in the Antarctic ozone layer, desertification, and soil erosion. Yet we avoid the underlying challenge of a rapidly deteriorating ecological system and the breadth and complexity of the response that is required.

Vaclav Smil evaluates the current state of knowledge concerning atmospheric change. Recognizing the limits of scientific studies and quantitative modeling, Smil analyzes the weaknesses and uncertainties of our environmental understanding and provides a discussion of the levels of food, energy, water and materials necessary to support a decent quality of life.

This timely and crucial study explores the promises and problems of different paths towards global management. With a focus on the importance of flexible response, it provides an analysis of both social and environmental needs. It will further our understanding of biospheric change and of our abilities and weaknesses in managing the transition to a sustainable society.

Global Ecology: Environmental Change and Social Flexibility

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Global Ecology: Environmental Change and Social Flexibility
Vaclav Smil
Manufacturer: Taylor & Francis, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MV0NWM

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"Monster of the Midway"

Excellent

Excellent, has many coaching points for all players and coac

Finally...someone got a clue!

Coaching Football's 46 Defense (The Art & Science of Coaching Series)
Rex Ryan , and Jeff Walker
Manufacturer: Coaches Choice Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Football (American) | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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Coaching Football's Split 4-4 Defense

Coaching the Multiple 4-3 Defense

Coaching Football's 3-3-5 Defense

Coaching Football's 4-3 Defense

101 Bear 4-6 Stunts

ASIN: 1585182346

Customer Reviews:

"Monster of the Midway".......2006-05-12

If you want to know about the 4-6 defense this is the book for you. I has everything you need to start using the 4-6 defense at any level. Well written, full of diagrams, and easy to understand.

This book is a step by step guide on how to use the 4-6 Defense. It details every position. It covers why the 4-6 Defense works so well. This book has a great section on how to play and hide the coverages the defense is in. And it also covers how to stop the option. Any team that runs the option against this defense is crazy.

If you like to blitz this book is for you. However, stay away form the DVD/VHS you will not like it. Let us just say it is not up to the same level as the book.

I recommend this book for almost all levels of coaches. (not pop warner) Sorry!!!!

Excellent.......2004-02-16

This book goes into the development and history of defense and shows how the 46 has evolved. Rex included many coaching points that can be applied to other defenses also. This has to be the best coaching book I have read.

Excellent, has many coaching points for all players and coac.......1999-10-15

Being an agressive coach and one time player who played this defense in college, I can now grasp the total concept of the 46 defense. Although I already knew alot about the defense, this book allows someone to totally understand every part of the defense from coverage, to blitz's. The most important part of this book is chapter 9. This chapter is about the different coverages that one can use to confuse a quarterback, better yet an entire offense.I believe this is a good tool for learning especially on the highschool and college levels.

Finally...someone got a clue!.......1999-09-02

I have been waiting for a book like this ever since the inception of the 46 defense. There have been other books which discuss the subject but never one book devoted entirely to it. It is easy to read and useful for both casual onlookers of the game and serious readers. The terminology is clear and the author provides a detailed and insightful look at this defensive scheme. This is a definite buy for those who want to learn what a real NFL defense is supposed to look like!

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46 Defense!
Mike Lowry
Manufacturer: M-Low Enterprises] ;
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

Bill Harvey invites you to 'attend' his nationally recognized language training seminars where you can shout, laugh, and applaud along with a LIVE audience. Within minutes, you'll receive the basics to understanding and speaking 'real-life' Spanish, motivated by a man whose classes have attracted crowds of up to a thousand or more. Filled with humorous insights, this four-disc series captures one of Bill's greatest performances ever.

Customer Reviews:

frustrated it hasn't been delivered.......2006-07-14

I ordered this book on June 7 or 8. It is still not here and still not in transit. If you don't have it, just tell me, or explain why there is such a long delay.

Learn Spanish Live with Bill Harvey.......2002-08-08

This is the best audio tape going to learn spanish. I am learning more with Bill than I did when I took spanish in school for two years. He's fun and I am learning and more important, I am remembering. I wish he was on video so I could see him in action. He's the best teacher going, and if he makes another tape or video I will be first in line to buy. Nadia Como Bill. Keep up the good work.

Customer Reviews:

Rand McNally Street Guide Worth the Price.......2005-09-04

Yes, you can always use mapquest to get directions. However, if you want a quick guide to find where you're going to, this book is great. It's layout and design are very helpful compared to past editions. Well worth the cost.

THIS IS IT..........2004-10-29

...the only map of the Chicago area you'll need. You can get rid of all those others lying around your car in various stages of disintegration.

Published by venerable Rand McNally & Co of Skokie, IL, this conveniently spiral-bound street guide is clear, accurate, detailed, up-to-date, durable, easy to use, chock full of helpful information, and covers virtually all of the sprawling greater Chicago area. It's invaluable for drivers who sell or deliver, helpful to those who've driven here all their lives, and indispensable for those who, like me, are directionally challenged. It is where I turn (before leaving home) to verify local Mapquest information, which can be inaccurate and which frequently does not offer the most desirable route. In addition, this book is a great buy at the Amazon.com price.

I have also used the Dallas (Texas) version, and these guides are even more helpful for unfamiliar territory because they don't leave anything out.

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