title: A case study of Whangaparaoa College: a transformative learning organisation in the making?

authors: Krishnamoorthy, Rajalakshmi

subjects: Learning organisations

abstract: The concept of a learning organisation is relatively new to schools and educational
institutions in New Zealand. Understanding educational institutions as learning
organisations can enable institutions to meet the demands of an ever changing context.
In this way, educational institutions can strategically develop as transformative learning
organisations that are dynamic and responsive.
This research sought to explore the extent to which a particular school exhibits the
characteristics of a learning organisation in its organisational development. The case
study was situated in a New Zealand secondary school in relation to its transition from
an intermediate school into a full-fledged secondary school. More specially, to what
extent is Whangaparaoa College a transformative learning organisation in the making?
The findings presented in this thesis highlight the characteristics of a learning
organisation as exhibited by this particular school. While some characteristics relate
directly to the five disciplines of learning organisations (Senge, 1990), this research has
identified other characteristics that enable a unique way of considering a school as a
learning organisation.
The most notable attribute of this case study is the breadth of innovative thinking and
practice that was voiced by the participants. The innovative nature of the school is
expressed in the positional titles; infrastructure and the ICT influenced pedagogy.
Developmental challenges are also construed as learning opportunities. Critically
important to this schools development as a learning organisation is the role of
professional development for staff as this enhances the formation of a learning
community. This research opens a range of possibilities for future research which
might investigate the characteristics of a learning organisation in different educational contexts.

text: A case study of Whangaparaoa College: a transformative learning organisation in the making? The concept of a learning organisation is relatively new to schools and educational
institutions in New Zealand. Understanding educational institutions as learning
organisations can enable institutions to meet the demands of an ever changing context.
In this way, educational institutions can strategically develop as transformative learning
organisations that are dynamic and responsive.
This research sought to explore the extent to which a particular school exhibits the
characteristics of a learning organisation in its organisational development. The case
study was situated in a New Zealand secondary school in relation to its transition from
an intermediate school into a full-fledged secondary school. More specially, to what
extent is Whangaparaoa College a transformative learning organisation in the making?
The findings presented in this thesis highlight the characteristics of a learning
organisation as exhibited by this particular school. While some characteristics relate
directly to the five disciplines of learning organisations (Senge, 1990), this research has
identified other characteristics that enable a unique way of considering a school as a
learning organisation.
The most notable attribute of this case study is the breadth of innovative thinking and
practice that was voiced by the participants. The innovative nature of the school is
expressed in the positional titles; infrastructure and the ICT influenced pedagogy.
Developmental challenges are also construed as learning opportunities. Critically
important to this schools development as a learning organisation is the role of
professional development for staff as this enhances the formation of a learning
community. This research opens a range of possibilities for future research which
might investigate the characteristics of a learning organisation in different educational contexts.

year: 2009

title: Absorptive capacity and internationalization of New Zealand high-tech SMEs in the agro-technology sector

authors: Sedoglavich, Vesna

subjects: absorptive capacity

abstract: This study investigates the relationships between firm's technology, absorptive capacity and the internationalization process in the high-tech SMEs. The research identifies the most influential factors that affect the international activities and expansion decisions of New Zealand high-tech SMEs with core capabilities in agro-technology.

Mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative elements in the data collection and analysis, were employed in this research for a reason that a deeper understanding of the research subject and the analysis of complex issues such as the internationalization process and absorptive capacity required methodological variety. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods took place in parallel. Both methods were used to study the same subject but they had specific objective related purposes and they offered the possibility of developing rich empirical data as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the subject under the study. 

The findings show that it is absorptive capacity that explains internationalization process, not internationalization process that explains absorptive capacity. The practice of internationalizing is as much a reflection of a firm's absorptive capacity as it is its determinant. The research identifies that high-tech SMEs possess technological and non-core absorptive capacity which in a different way influence firms' strategies. The research suggests that firm's technological capabilities and the advantage of specialized knowledge along with their limited non-core absorptive capacity act as constraints to the development of the future international strategy in high-tech SMEs.

The study expands the existing literature on internationalization by developing variables for evaluating absorptive capacity in firms. This helped develop an absorptive capacity model which can be used as a valuable tool for self-assessment by firms to facilitate gaining insight towards further growth and development. The research suggested that if firms were able to measure its absorptive capacity this may result in improved business activities and enhanced presence in the world market. 

The results of this study should encourage firms to identify, capture and articulate knowledge achieved by their ventures. Managers must develop and nurture skills that ensure effective integration of learning as their firms expand, particularly internationally. These findings and absorptive capacity model offered as a tool should encourage managers to explore when, where, and how to best use firm's resources in the business operations. This is particularly important in regards to the research context (high-tech SMEs) where scientists are managers as well.

text: Absorptive capacity and internationalization of New Zealand high-tech SMEs in the agro-technology sector This study investigates the relationships between firm's technology, absorptive capacity and the internationalization process in the high-tech SMEs. The research identifies the most influential factors that affect the international activities and expansion decisions of New Zealand high-tech SMEs with core capabilities in agro-technology.

Mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative elements in the data collection and analysis, were employed in this research for a reason that a deeper understanding of the research subject and the analysis of complex issues such as the internationalization process and absorptive capacity required methodological variety. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods took place in parallel. Both methods were used to study the same subject but they had specific objective related purposes and they offered the possibility of developing rich empirical data as well as a more comprehensive understanding of the subject under the study. 

The findings show that it is absorptive capacity that explains internationalization process, not internationalization process that explains absorptive capacity. The practice of internationalizing is as much a reflection of a firm's absorptive capacity as it is its determinant. The research identifies that high-tech SMEs possess technological and non-core absorptive capacity which in a different way influence firms' strategies. The research suggests that firm's technological capabilities and the advantage of specialized knowledge along with their limited non-core absorptive capacity act as constraints to the development of the future international strategy in high-tech SMEs.

The study expands the existing literature on internationalization by developing variables for evaluating absorptive capacity in firms. This helped develop an absorptive capacity model which can be used as a valuable tool for self-assessment by firms to facilitate gaining insight towards further growth and development. The research suggested that if firms were able to measure its absorptive capacity this may result in improved business activities and enhanced presence in the world market. 

The results of this study should encourage firms to identify, capture and articulate knowledge achieved by their ventures. Managers must develop and nurture skills that ensure effective integration of learning as their firms expand, particularly internationally. These findings and absorptive capacity model offered as a tool should encourage managers to explore when, where, and how to best use firm's resources in the business operations. This is particularly important in regards to the research context (high-tech SMEs) where scientists are managers as well.

year: 2008

title: Neoliberalism and racism in Aotearoa

authors: Rew, Nathan

abstract: Webinar Toru will engage with issues of racism, neoliberalism and what Graham Hingangaroa Smith has called ‘New Formations of Colonisation’. This webinar will provide an overview of neoliberalism and racism and how they intersect and impact upon Māori, Pacific Nations and ethnic minority groups in Aotearoa.

text: Neoliberalism and racism in Aotearoa Webinar Toru will engage with issues of racism, neoliberalism and what Graham Hingangaroa Smith has called ‘New Formations of Colonisation’. This webinar will provide an overview of neoliberalism and racism and how they intersect and impact upon Māori, Pacific Nations and ethnic minority groups in Aotearoa.

year: 2025