Case Study: Transorganizational Development with Chinese NGOs

Ann Feyerherm, Ph.DAnita Bhasin, MSOD

Lori Henry, MSODKimberley Jutze, MSOD

Eric Perret, MSOD

First, some context…• Pepperdine MSOD: International Program• 2005 Business as Agent of World Benefit (BAWB) forum• Chinese Association of Non-governmental Organizations (CANGO) challenged Pepperdine to: • Convene a Network• Build capacity of Network

• 2007 class assignment: identify an issue that where a Network might be developed

…and the issue was:

2009 Water Future Conference

Conference Theme: Water and Our Behaviors

Objectives:• Raise public awareness of the water situation and

generate actionable decisions (Results-Oriented)• Network-building skills transfer (Process-Oriented)

Intended Outcomes:• Whether conference objectives were met and

network was strengthened (Event-Oriented)• Client ownership of objectives (Process-Oriented)• SC able to implement activities (Process-Oriented)

So how do you engage when there’s no There there? Cummings (1984) suggested in cases like these practitioners are both intervening, and creating the object of intervention at the same time:

Eric• Sensemaker– Map– Papers– Stories

• But Why? guy• Knowledge transfer• Disintermediation

…so in that spirit:

Anita Walking the Wall• Getting Acquainted

• It’s not an event…it’s a chain reaction

• Momentum• Social Network Analysis

• Getting Re-Started• Steering Committee• Snowball effect

• Getting Ready• Three Cups of Tea• Daily Debriefs

can make a big difference!!can make a big difference!!

Small thingsSmall things

Lori

• Design principles: the Conference

• Double loop learning: Our team

• Cultural learning: Self awareness

Kimberley

• Consulting Assignment Roles: - Research (learned about water pollution in China)- Team Meeting Facilitator (participant observation)- Design Team Member (developed AI skills)

• What it means to be part of a high-performing team• What it means to be a leader• SC Facilitation- Importance of clear communication• Interest in future work with transorg networks

• Identify 2-5 projects to be planned and resourced during the conference by attendees

• Increase post-conference project completion and participant engagement through financial incentives

• Create structure and processes to grow and strengthen network long-term

• Build capacity of participants for project planning and implementation at a trans-organizational level

2010 Team: Objectives and Goals

1. Addresses key issue identified by the network re: water quality and/or conservation

2. Requires involvement at least three different agencies from within the network

3. Can be completed within a year 4. Strategic capacity-building opportunity for the

overall water network5. Personal interest and passion from Steering

Committee members in addressing the issue

2010 Team: Project Criteria

Why Yes! You can donate!

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