A New Theory of Organizational Ecology, and Its Implications for Educational Leadership

"Since the early 1990s, there has been increased awareness that science's ecosystem concept has application in developing a better understanding of the nature and function of organisations and their leadership. In this book, Branson and Marra argue that an ecologically comprehensive interpretation is needed for a more insightful explanation of the organisation's cultural dynamics and the essential role of the leader within this context. They argue that there needs to be a focus on determining how well the school s culture is enabling the required interconnectivity, both internally within the school and externally between the school and its local community, in order to accomplish its vision and mission. Throughout, they draw on international case studies from around the world, including Australia, New Zealand and Belgium."-- Provided by publisher This book provides a timely and comprehensive response to the widely acknowledged serious failings in our current knowledge of organizational leadership and culture, providing an ecologically inspired approach which unifies knowledge and practice across all of the pivotal organisational elements of leadership, culture, teamwork, creativity, complexity and wisdom. Drawing on case studies from Australia and New Zealand, Branson and Marra argue that just as ecosystems are systems of connected elements through which the energy needed to maintain the health of the system must readily flow, an organisation is also a connected system that equally requires a healthy flow of energy in order to achieve its core purpose. Their theory of organizational ecology describes how organizational connectivity, as revealed by the quality of the relationships among the people and the parts of the organization, provides the conduit through which the essential energy (in the form of knowledge, information, ideas, innovation, and support sharing) must flow. Through the application of the theory of organizational ecology, Branson and Marra illustrate how a leader must grow their leadership knowledge and wisdom in order to develop the organization's people and culture so that it is fully able to accomplish the desired vision, mission and core purpose. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Illustrations Introduction: The Organization as an Ecosystem 1 Leading the Whole Principle of Organizational Ecology #1: No Organization, or Parts of an Organization, Exists in Isolation 2 Reconstructing Culture Principle of Organizational Ecology #2: Organizational Climate (How Culture Is Experienced by the People) Shapes the Level of Individual, Team, and Departmental Capacity, Performance, and Productivity 3 Organizational Energy Principle of Organizational Ecology # 3: Information and Knowledge Sharing Are Pivotal to Organizational Success 4 Organizational Synergy: Teams Working Together Principle of Organizational Ecology #4: An Organization’s Success Is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts 5 Creativity and Innovation Principle of Organizational Ecology #5: Organizational Change Is Constant 6 Simplifying Complexity Principle of Organizational Ecology #6: Each Person Counts 7 Leadership Wisdom Leadership in an Organizational Ecosystem—Where Wisdom Surpasses Rational Knowledge Conclusion: Applications and Implications References Index List of Illustrations -- Introduction: The Organization as an Ecosystem -- 1. Leading the Whole -- 2. Reconstructing Culture -- 3. Organizational Energy -- 4. Organizational Synergy -- 5. Creativity and Innovation -- 6. Simplifying Complexity -- 7. Leadership Wisdom -- Conclusion: Applications and Implications References -- Index