Natural growth goals and short- term training: a boomerang effect

R Wayne Pace, Brigham Young University
Les Regan, Southern Cross University
Peter Miller, Southern Cross University
Lee Dunn, Southern Cross University

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to determine the effect of a training session about achieving natural growth goals on perceptions of a university classroom as a learning organisation. The results indicated that a short training session on how to achieve natural growth goals in an organisation appeared to have a boomerang effect on perceptions of a university classroom as a learning organisation. This study should alert us to the inevitable consequence of having our best training efforts backfire when they conflict with powerful, though latent, beliefs or cultural values.