Silvia Ivaldi

The practice of evaluation as an evaluation of practices

This article describes the theoretical basis and characteristics of a process-based, negotiated and generative approach to the evaluation of organizations. Illustrated by a case study, it highlights the inappropriateness of standardized instruments in the face of complexity and uncertainty, suggesting ways to improve the practice of evaluating dynamic complex systems. It underlines how conducting an evaluation within an organization is an opportunity to produce knowledge that reflects on and can potentially transform existing systems. Using an action-research method, ‘instructions to the double’, the implications for data collection and analysis suited to complex interventions and complex environments, are presented and discussed. In particular, the article describes the monitoring and evaluation of practices as unfolding processes, in which evaluative methods and tools are context dependent and subject to social, dynamic and contested mobilization of knowledge. The collective negotiation and production of knowledge in collaboration with practitioners working within the organization, is considered as the necessary condition for enhancing the formative and transformative role of evaluation and supporting reflexivity in professional practices.

The Formation of Germ Cell for Organizational Learning.

Purpose The aim of the paper is to analyze the process of “germ cell” formation by framing it as an opportunity for promoting organizational learning and transformation. The paper aims to specifically answer two research questions: Why does the “germ cell” have a pivotal role in organization’s transformation? and Which conditions facilitate the formation of the “germ cell” in the management of complex and uncertain problems? Design/methodology/approach The paper answers the research questions first by presenting the literature related to knowing and learning inside organizations, and second by introducing the concept of “germ cell” and connecting it with the metaphors of “waiting experiment” and “anchoring forward”. Finally, the paper analyzes the steps by which the “germ cell” is shaped, thus owing to the exploration of problematic situations, underpinning the “germ cell’s ” role to open perspectives for multiple applications and development. Two research interventions are presented by focusing on the construction of the “germ cell” moving from the problematic situations to promote organizational learning and change. Findings The paper describes the formation of the “germ cell” as a process that opens possibilities for subjects to recognize and reflect on the recurrent and taken-for-granted practices and concepts and give sense to them by making the inner contradiction and the ways for managing it visible. Originality/value The unfolding and challenging inceptive configuration of the germ cell sheds light on the discursive/conversational/language processes and the activities entangled in socio-material instrumentalities and environments in which people are involved.

Reconstructing the internship program as a critical reflexive practice: the role of tutorship

ABSTRACT Critical reflexivity has been acknowledged as fundamental in higher education. For facing complex situations in turbulent environments, students nowadays need not only to be taught technical knowledge, but also to be helped develop “relevant” learning for their future professional practice. In recent years, scholars have concentrated on what makes the internship experience a successful opportunity for the parties involved, and have also discussed the crucial role of a mentor/tutor in sustaining relevant and effective learning. However, the specific conditions that make tutorship successful in promoting critical reflexivity in such a boundary crossing experience need to be further explored. Aim of this paper is therefore to analyze what tutorship conditions sustain the development of critical reflexivity in internship. For this purpose, we will present the case study of an internship program run by one of the largest universities in northern Italy.

Networking and knotworking practices: work integration as situated social process

Purpose This paper aims to present a transnational research intervention that relies on the qualitative monitoring of disadvantaged people’s work integration program. In particular, the paper adopts the concept of networking and knotworking to intercept and describe the ways in which organizational payers shape knowledge in their contexts of work inclusion. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on a developmental ethnographic research to detect meaningful, situated knowledge related to the activities for work integration of disadvantaged people. Two main techniques, “at home ethnography” (Ellis and Bochner, 2000; Hansen, 2006) and participant observation (Alvesson, 2009), were used for gathering data. Findings The paper highlights the existing contradictions within and between the multiple activity systems. The advantages of using the activity theory’s lenses are underlined together with two main approaches related to the assumption of a networking and knotworking orientation. The findings also refer to some new paths professionals identified for their daily activity. Originality/value The paper provides a better understanding of the contemporary challenges of working, that is extremely helpful to policy makers and other practitioners, including researchers.

Competenze manageriali e costruzione sociale di conoscenza. Una ricerca sul campo

Il paper presenta un caso di ricerca relativo alla ricognizione e individuazione delle competenze riferite a dirigenti di un consorzio di imprese sociali. Le competenze sono qui concepite e descritte come strutturalmente connesse a esperienze e declinazioni locali, anziche sulla base di riferimenti universalistici che tendono a rappresentare modelli ideali (best performer). Il paper propone quindi un approccio contestuale con l’intento di mostrare come l’individuazione di competenze riconosciute rilevanti e significative dipenda da specifiche modalita di circolazione e scambio di conoscenze inerenti pratiche professionali e culture organizzative diffuse. Obiettivo dell’articolo e evidenziare come il riferimento alla conoscenza situata sia condizione ed esito di un processo di costruzione sociale, rivolto sia alla configurazione sul campo di profili dirigenziali, sia alla valutazione reciproca delle competenze generata da tali processi situati. Il contributo si sofferma inizialmente sugli scenari emergenti, che introducono la sfida di funzioni manageriali sempre meno riducibili ad approcci orientati alla razionalizzazione e standardizzazione, secondo una logica context free. L’articolo descrive conseguentemente il contesto di riferimento e il dispositivo metodologico attivato per valorizzare le pratiche situate, le modalita in cui i processi organizzativi e le competenze connesse sono concepiti e realizzati nelle differenti situazioni. Il disegno di ricerca adottato prefigura un processo di costruzione sociale di conoscenza, orientato ad avvicinare ed evidenziare sia repertori di pratica dirigenziale emblematica (riconosciuti dagli attori organizzativi come rilevanti ed esemplari, quindi opportuni, adeguati, da seguire), sia l’ordine simbolico negoziato che emerge nelle diverse situazioni (in cui le persone costantemente discutono e configurano cio che e giusto e ingiusto, corretto e scorretto, tollerato e intollerabile, opportuno e inaccettabile). Nella parte finale vengono illustrati i principali risultati ottenuti e discusse le implicazioni inerenti la circolazione della conoscenza prodotta dall’approccio di ricerca adottato.

In) sostenibilità della vita organizzativa

Il presente contributo intende portare l’attenzione sulle nuove ed emergenti forme di rischio che connotano la vita organizzativa delle persone e riconfigurano la loro traiettoria professionale e di esperienza lavorativa. I nuovi scenari lavorativi e organizzativi introducono fattori di incertezza e instabilita che sollecitano inedite modalita di fronteggiare e gestire la complessita organizzativa. Lavorare in condizioni in cui processi, compiti operativi e condizioni di impiego mutano velocemente e sono spesso contingenti e precari, implica l’attraversamento di alcuni paradossi, inerenti la necessita di considerare nuovi segnali di disagio e di difficolta del vivere lavorativo odierno. Cio amplia il tema della sicurezza a quello della qualita della vita organizzativa e della sostenibilita dei processi lavorativi connessi. Il paper presenta inizialmente un posizionamento del concetto di sostenibilita come costrutto teorico in grado di comprendere l’allargamento del concetto di sicurezza del lavoro alla molteplice presenza di aspetti fisici, psichici e sociali. Vengono successivamente presentate e discusse tre vignettes che offrono spaccati di ordinaria sfida alla sostenibilita organizzativa, in cui una nuova accezione e riconfigurazione del rischio si manifesta e si propone come lente per rileggere le pratiche lavorative attraverso le quali prendono forma e si stabilizzano innovative modalita di rapporto tra soggetti e vita organizzativa. Il paper propone infine una prospettiva di ricerca capace di confrontarsi con i processi organizzativi esistenti e di promuovere in essi autentici e realistici processi migliorativi.