Bringing new learning to old cultures

Abstract

The manager in this case, myself, was enticed to what could best be described as a 'clean page' in an Asian institution. My brief was to establish a faculty with a focus on e-learning. This included setting up the technical infrastructure, undertaking detailed market analysis, developing strategic business plans and developing courses for distance delivery and professional development of staff. This presented an extraordinary opportunity that crossed arts education (my discipline base) and the use of new technologies (a passion). It was critical to initiate processes that were in alignment with the organizational vision. It was an exciting time but not one that I was completely prepared for: in experience, in my ability to negotiate a different cultural context or in the management processes of the institution itself. There is much that is not explained in this case, and the reader can draw inferences about any gaps. The case study is an attempt to analyse the challenge of introducing change to a 'clean page', and the personal impact of this process.