Writing books has its downsides -- sore neck, publisher disagreements, pressure to always start another one -- but then something like this happens and it's worth writing a few more. This morning I received a really nice email from Archana Chandrasekar, who's working on a master's in Information Systems Management at Warwick Business School. Part of the research includes receiving responses to this survey on learning in virtual organizations. Archana is asking me to post a link to the survey so that my readers hopefully will take it. How can I turn down this request after reading the paragraph below that begins, "On a personal note...?" So, dear readers, please take the survey!
And for the record, as Archana suggests, I am always happy to help students. In the long sweep of human history, the study of virtual organizations is still an emerging field; we need all the research we can muster.
My name is Archana Chandrasekar and I am currently pursuing my Master's in Information Systems Management at Warwick Business School, UK.As a part of my dissertation, I am examining the applicability of Peter Senge's Learning Organizational Model within the context of Virtual Organizations. My research methodology involves a qualitative analysis of the learning processes within an virtually functioning organization. In addition to an in-depth case study analysis I have interviewed a few individuals working in Virtual Organizations and have found the results to be satisfactory and in line with my hypothesis. But as expected the number of employees willing to participate is disappointing as the questionnaire involves questions relating to sensitive topics such as appraisals, managerial approvals etc.
As a regular visitor of your site I have often seen questionnaires posted by other postgraduate students. I would humbly request you to do the same with my questionnaire as it would be of immense help. Kindly note that due to confidentiality concerns individuals are not required to fill in any personal details.
This questionnaire is targeted to individuals working in virtual organizations and how they learn and share knowledge. The questions are based on Pedler et al. (1997) "The Learning Company" questionnaire.
On a personal note I would like to thank you for all your contributions to the academic world. Your works are a prominent feature in my literature review section and have helped me understand virtual worlds better. For someone with no technical IT background, I know jumping head first into a topic like virtual organizations would be a colossal task but Lipnack and Stamps(1997) simplified the topic in the most profound way.
The questionnaire link is attached below and I kindly request you to post it on your site as this would be of great help to my dissertation. Thank you again for playing a vital role in my academic endeavors.
Link to survey
And in case you don't click, here are the questions:
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1. Does your company regularly take stock and modify business plans, direction and strategy when appropriate?
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3. Is Information Technology (IT) is used to create databases so that everyone can understand what is going on and make sound decisions?
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6. Do flexible working patterns allow people to make different contributions and draw different rewards?
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8. Does there exist systems and procedures for receiving and sharing information from outside the company?
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9. Does your company participate in joint learning events with its suppliers,customers and other stakeholders?
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10. Is there a general attitude of continuous improvement and learning where employees are encouraged to ask if do not know something?
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11. Do employees have their own self-development budgets where they decide what training and development they want, and what to pay for it?
