Evaluative Inquiry: The Road To A Learning Organization
Abstract
This study looks at the effects of evaluative inquiry as a tool for organizational development in the “Centro de Lenguas y Educación Intercultural”(CELEI), a small educational institution. The study is framed as an action research and its purpose is to initiate a process of organizational change that will consolidate the newly established institution and to introduce learning as a built-in organizational strategy. The study is structured as a meta-research on the evaluative inquiry intervention. The intervention was a cooperative effort carried out by an in-house evaluation team and the participation of all staff members. As Action Research, the evaluation process and outcomes become the main source of research data. A staff questionnaire was passed to assess personnel satisfaction and perception of the institution before the start of the evaluation. At the end of the process, a group interview was used to assess change as a consequence of the intervention. Reflection on the data, shows that evaluative inquiry contributed in vary relevant ways to organizational development in CELEI. Particularly in fostering a common vision and mission for the institution, promoting teamwork and stimulating learning. The action research had a very positive effect on researches learning that will be capitalized in her role as manager of the institution.