10th International GABEK Symposium
GABEK as a learning procedure for organizations
GABEK as a Learning Procedure for Organizations
29 September – October 1, 2014 in Sterzing, Town Hall, Neustadt 3, I-39049 Sterzing, South Tyrol
Symposium programme 2014 (PDF)
GABEK offers a series of tools for the analysis of texts that support learning processes. If the verbal data origins fom participants of the organization, GABEK can lead to the reorganization of internal processes. If the data were gathered in the social environment of an organization, improvements of the relations to customers, suppliers or to social institutions can be achieved.
Stages of the GABEK-Learning-Process
With GABEK, a kind of regional ontology of the group from which the texts originate is presented through semantic networks. It serves to reflect on the largely stable beliefs and attitudes that are distinguished from changing and situational opinions. Since the ontology of a group is difficult and slow to change, it can serve as an orientation in the diversity of opinions.
In a further step, the value judgments expressed in the texts are analyzed. This allows basic values, goals and wishes of the examined group to be recognized. By linking the value judgments with extended network graphics, success areas and problem areas are identified as they see the respondents. These are more detailed overviews which, like maps, can serve the affected persons to set priorities for future development. In a feedback workshop, decision-makers of the organization can view possible strategic priorities.
Subsequently, the proposals are analyzed, which are expressed in the verbal data as possible measures for the realization of priorities. In another workshop, the implementation workshop, concrete measures are chosen that are feasible, that are not too expensive and that are preferred by the decision-makers. Such a workshop also leads to discussions about implementation. This increases the willingness to agree and cooperate in implementation.
In the event that conflicts arise that could paralyze cooperation, the verbal data of the conflict groups are systematized separately logically hierarchically so that the opposing positions can be better understood. Since the conflict groups often do not want or cannot enter into dialogue with each other, GABEK offers a tool for simulating conversations. It can lead to possible solutions that seem acceptable to the conflicting parties.
Finally, learning in organizations is completed through steps of control. They show what went well in implementation and what went less well. For this purpose, GABEK again offers special tools for evaluation but also for constant monitoring of the development process
Each step of the evaluation is holistic insofar as the entire database is always considered. In this way, each person concerned can repeatedly relate his own opinions to the beliefs of other people. GABEK allows an in-depth evaluation of texts, which approximates an indirect form of conversations with the authors of the texts.
Based on the analysis of the interview texts, semantic nets are constructed, which represent a kind of conceptual ontology of the referring group. The ontology is used as reflection of stable convictions and attitudes, which must be discerned from variable and contingent opinions dependent on the situation. As the ontology of a social group changes slowly, it can be used for an orientation about the variety of opinions.
In the next step, evaluative judgements expressed within the texts are analyzed. Thereby fundamental values, aims and whishes of social groups can be identified. By connecting the evaluative judgments with extended network graphs, researchers can identify areas of success and problem as perceived by the respondents. Such graphs are more detailed overviews than the ontologies. They are used by the individuals concerned to determine the direction of future developments. In a feedback workshop, decision makers can define possible core goals for the organization using such maps.
Thereupon possible measures proposed by the respondents are analyzed, which could support the realization of the core goals. Specific and feasible measures that are preferred by decision makers are selected in the implementation workshop,. This workshop again leads to dialogues, in particular about implementation processes. Thus, the acceptance of the participants and their willingness for cooperation in the implementation process is supported.
If conflicts between different social groups appear, the verbal data of the conflicting groups are analyzed separately in order to understand the positions of the conflicting groups. As such groups very often do not want or do not have the opportunity to enter a dialogue, GABEK offers a tool for the simulation of dialogues. This can lead to possible solutions, acceptable for the conflicting parties.
Finally, the learning process in organizations is concluded by steps of control. These show which operations were more or less successful. GABEK offers special tools for evaluation of the results and for a persistent monitoring of the implementation process.
In each stage of any GABEK-project, the whole verbal data base is included in the analysisprocess. Thus, we see GABEK as a holistic methodology. As a consequence, every concerned individual can detect his/her own opinions, however, he/she can also relate them to opinions and attitudes of other individuals. In this way, GABEK shows a way to an indirect form of dialogues between different authors and leads to deep views of the actual situation.
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