2006 Awards for Excellence Free

The following article was selected for this year’s Outstanding Paper Award for

foresight

"What makes al-Qaeda a global learning network?"

Matthew HarrisonQueensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia

Purpose – This paper aims to reconceptualise the literature on learning organisations, fourth blueprint management and entrepreneurialism to develop the idea of a global learning network.

Design/methodology/approach – This notion is used to highlight successful leadership and management practices used by a transnational organisation to respond to change in a way that fosters entrepreneurial action.

Findings – The author has identified al-Qaeda as a pertinent and timely example through which to examine this new perspective because of its unique culture and enabling structure that encourage members to act as both‘‘environmental scanners’’ and agents of influence in affecting change.

Originality/value – The al-Qaeda case study illustrates how the four elements of metastrategic design – namely: vision, identity, configuration, and action – can operate to sustain organisational learning and renewal for more conventional transnational organisations.

Keywords: Learning organizations, Plans, Strategic planning, Terrorism www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/14636680510581286

This article originally appeared in Volume 7 Number 1, 2005, pp. 4-10, of foresight

The following article was selected for this year’s Highly Commended Award

"Powering the world with nuclear energy – past, present, and inevitable future"

Marvin Baker Schaffer

This article originally appeared in Volume 7 Number 2, 2005, of foresight

"Hindsight and the delusion of control"

Linda Hadfield

This article originally appeared in Volume 7 Number 4, 2005, of foresight

"Knowledge intensive business services: prospects and policies"

Ian Miles

This article originally appeared in Volume 7 Number 6, 2005, of foresight