Total Quality Management and Systems Thinking

The following discussion agenda is on Total Quality Management and Systems Thinking:

1. An overview of Total Quality Management (TQM)
• A brief history of TQM
• Quality Gurus
• TQM philosophy
• International Standards as related to TQM
2. A review of TQM from the Systems Thinking perspective
• A review with Viable System Thinking
• A review with Socio-cultural System Thinking
• A review with Critical Systems Thinking

Reference
Flood, R.L. (1993) Beyond TQM, Wiley.

Mergers, acquisitions & corporate restructurings

The following discussion agenda is on the topic of Mergers, Acquisitions & Corporate Restructurings:

1. Introduction
• Legal frameworks
• Motives and determinans
2. Hostile takeovers
• Antitakeover measures
• Takeover tactics
3. Leverage transactions
• Leveraged buyouts
• Junk bonds
• Employee Stock Ownership Plans
4. Corporate Restructuring
• Corporate restructuring
• Restructuring in bankruptcy
5. Valuation for Mergers and Acquisitions

Reference
Gaughan, P.A. (1996) Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructurings, Wiley.

Liberating Systems Theory

The following notes are on Liberating Systems Theory in Systems Thinking:

Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Flood, R.L. (1990) Liberating Systems Theory, Plenum

Theories of communication in Marketing Communication

The following discussion agenda is on Theories of Communication in Marketing Communications:

1. The main theories of communications
• Definition of communication
• Model of the communication process
• Reduncancy in communication
• The hierarchy of communication effects
• Catetories of signs: icon, index and symbol
• How attitudes are formed
• Information process models:
• The AILA model: attention, interpretation, learning and attitudes
• Capacity model of attention
2. Perception and cognitive dissonance effects on communication
3. Modelling consumer behaviour and motivation theories
• The AIDA model
• The Howard-Sheth model
• VALS structure
4. Distortation, disruption, confusion, agreement/ disagreement, and understanding/ misunderstanding in marketing communications

Reference
Blythe, J. (2006) "Chapter 1: Theories of Communication" Essentials of Marketing Communications, FT Prentice Hall.

On Critical Social Science

The following notes are on Critical Social Science (CSS):


Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Fay, B. (1987) Critical Social Science, Polity Press.

On Triple Loop Learning

The following notes are on Triple Loop Learning in Systems Thinking:

Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Flood, R.L. and Romm, N.R.A. (1996) Diversity Management: Triple Loop Learning, Wiley.

Executive Emotional Intelligence

The following notes are on Executive Emotional Intelligence (EEI):

Note 1

Note 2

Reference
Cooper, R.K. and Sawaf, A. (1997) Exeutive EQ: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership & Organizations, Grosset/ Putnam.