The funnel of the introduction
The funnel shape of an introduction to a dissertation or research proposal represents a broad statement about a topic that then becomes increasingly focussed toward the final question of interest in the particular research proposal.
Here is a possible funnel to my question of interest:
Americans seem to have embedded in their collective conscience the image of the rugged individual rising to the top through sheer force of will and on their own merits or because of their lone genius.
But current research suggests that lasting innovation and successful businesses result from effective collaboration of many people together rather than from solitary contributions of brilliant individuals.
As a result, many organizations espouse a growing need for people in the modern workplace to be able to work in teams in order to innovate solutions to rapidly changing problems in myriad disciplines.
Research from the last decade or so has shed new light on the attributes of group creativity and collaboration, and many people have adopted those ideas.
For a multitude of possible reasons, however, many (if not most) people find working in teams difficult. People generally don't understand how to effectively work within a team context.
Within organizations, someone has to call the shots. Decisions must be made and deadlines met and all manner of administrative tasks completed. The traditional American organizational format is generally a hierarchy of managers who oversee the work of others.
Research has suggested that this structure is part of the problem that prevents groups from succeeding in their collaboration.
On the other hand, modern organizations that succeed with collaborative innovation tend to be much less hierarchical. The organization is relatively flat, and yet the leaders of these organizations still retain the role of guiding the path of the organization and the rules of group engagement.
There are likely some common attributes, qualities, or behaviors of leaders within successful collaborative communities that could be taught and learned, but it is not entirely clear all the ways in which these leaders guide their groups to succeed in collaborative innovation.
Therefore the purpose of this study is to ...
Here is a possible funnel to my question of interest:
Americans seem to have embedded in their collective conscience the image of the rugged individual rising to the top through sheer force of will and on their own merits or because of their lone genius.
But current research suggests that lasting innovation and successful businesses result from effective collaboration of many people together rather than from solitary contributions of brilliant individuals.
As a result, many organizations espouse a growing need for people in the modern workplace to be able to work in teams in order to innovate solutions to rapidly changing problems in myriad disciplines.
Research from the last decade or so has shed new light on the attributes of group creativity and collaboration, and many people have adopted those ideas.
For a multitude of possible reasons, however, many (if not most) people find working in teams difficult. People generally don't understand how to effectively work within a team context.
Within organizations, someone has to call the shots. Decisions must be made and deadlines met and all manner of administrative tasks completed. The traditional American organizational format is generally a hierarchy of managers who oversee the work of others.
Research has suggested that this structure is part of the problem that prevents groups from succeeding in their collaboration.
On the other hand, modern organizations that succeed with collaborative innovation tend to be much less hierarchical. The organization is relatively flat, and yet the leaders of these organizations still retain the role of guiding the path of the organization and the rules of group engagement.
There are likely some common attributes, qualities, or behaviors of leaders within successful collaborative communities that could be taught and learned, but it is not entirely clear all the ways in which these leaders guide their groups to succeed in collaborative innovation.
Therefore the purpose of this study is to ...
Comments
What actions by instructors and student leaders within an innovative learning community of promote effective collaborative innovation?
"In what ways do the actions by instructors and student leaders within a community of innovation promote effective learning?"
Also, my brother works for Gore Tech Industries, an extremely successful and profitable company that uses a unique non-hierarchical model of management. I can get you in contact with him, if you would like.