Determinate conditions for future success: A study of economic, attitudinal and related realities confronting the professional organization

This mixed-method investigation explores important economic, attitudinal and other dimensions confronting a representative professional organization (PO), as it finds itself in a state of transition highly influenced by competitive forces as well as changes in traditional funding dynamics. Interviews and a survey capture information from key managers and other employees who are in the early throes of a necessary strategic direction or 'culture shift.' Questioning focuses on employee knowledge of, and attitude towards, needed fresh marketing and revenue generation strategies as stressed by a new CEO.; Empirical study results were mixed, with one hypothesis generally accepted (employee knowledge of the noted strategies as compared to the demographic dimensions of organizational level, education and tenure). However, employee attitude compared to the same dimensions showed no significant relationship between the same demographic dimensions...an unanticipated result. Reflection upon both the study's literature review, as well as the researcher's considerable personal experience with POs, suggests any strong positive correlations anticipated for the second hypothesis may have been confounded by the unique nature of this PO...the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). NCSC is a collection of highly geographically distributed units serving disparate needs and clientele. The notion of a 'silo organization' and the potential hazards of its impact on NCSC employee knowledge and attitudes are discussed in detail. As well, recommendations for continuing research and the practice of PO improvement, involving significant strategic, organizational and cultural shifts in focus and direction, are reviewed.