The introduction of appreciative inquiry to the U.S. Navy using appreciative inquiry interviews and the large group intervention with applications to U.S. Marine Corps Logistics Strategic Management

Abstract

This thesis documents the introduction of the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) within the U.S. Navy and discusses applications of the Appreciative Inquiry based Large Group Intervention (AI-LGI) within Marine Corps Logistics strategic planning, implementation, and organizational change. It is a follow on from David Nystrom's thesis "360-Degree Feedback, Leadership, Leadership Development, Performance Appraisal". Unlike traditional top down and bottom up strategies that seek to identify and analyze problems in systems, AI evaluates what gives life to organizations at their best moments by using the power of positive questioning. When combined with a Large Group Intervention, AI is a powerful tool to affect rapid organizational change. This thesis introduces AI, discusses its history, and describes the history of change efforts within the Navy. The thesis documents events leading up to and including the "Leadership Summit", to include introduction of AI within the U.S. Navy and qualitative analysis of stories that address issues of leadership. It discusses Financial Management implications of implementing this process and describes using AI-LGIs within the strategic management process as a tool for facilitating rapid and collaborative organizational change within Marine Corps Logistics.