CMA Presents "Effects of External Political and Institutional Forces on JPL: A Historical Perspective"

In today's high-tech world, strategic intent and core competence are more important than ever. But in the face of increasing political and institutional pressures, they are not the sole determinants of outcomes. They represent a ticket into a new arena where conflicting coalitions of interests vie for supremacy. Here strategic choice is a political process, and power and influence determine whose interests prevail. Using critical events in the history of NASA and JPL and from three different conceptual views, Dr. Barnett will discuss the cumulative effects of increasing political and institutional pressures on strategic intent and core competence from World War II through the end of the Cold War and the Cheaper-Faster-Better era. Implications for today and the future will be discussed.

Phil Barnett recently retired from JPL after 34 years in program and project planning and implementation. He received his Ph.D. in Executive Management from The Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management, Claremont Graduate University (CGU). He has taught Business Strategy at Pepperdine University. Phil is now an Adjunct Professor at CGU and at La Verne University where he teaches Technology Management, Crisis Management, and Power and Politics in the Organization.

This event is free. All JPL/Caltech personnel are welcome.

Following this event, the Human Resources Directorate and The Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University will be co-sponsoring an "Information Session on the Certificate Program in Strategy," 5:00–6:00 p.m. in von Karman Auditorium.

For questions about this event, send e-mail to [email protected] or call Randii Wessen, (818) 354-7580.