Abstract:
ABSTRACT
PARTICIPANTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE BARRIERS TO ADOPTING
INNOVATION: A CASE STUDY OF THE AKR-PWR
CENTENNIAL WORKSHOP
by
Susan Barnett
Master of Arts in Recreation Administration
California State University, Chico
Fall 2010
The purpose of this study is to understand participants’ perceptions of the
barriers of adopting innovation, specifically action items, within six months of a strategic
planning workshop. The Alaska Region and Pacific West Region of the National
Park Service collaborated on a strategic planning workshop, Centennial Workshop, in
November of 2008 to identify current best practices to adopt or adapt for each individual’s
park or park partner organization. The results of the Centennial Workshop were
the creation of action items participants were to implement within six months of the
strategic workshop.
Participants of this case study were employees and volunteers at National
Park Service parks, historic sites, or monuments, and park partner organizations.
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Seventy-one workshop participants responded to a Progress Update survey
developed by the primary research investigator. Analysis of the Progress Update survey
included frequencies, cross-tabulations, and factor analysis. The results of the study
identified lack of commitment and changes in staffing as two barriers to completing the
action items within the six-month timeframe.
Future research should be conducted on a larger sample population within a
narrower timeframe using an established instrument. Identified topics for further research
include the impact of agency structure and staff turnover on adoption rates, and
motivation and commitment levels before, during, and after a workshop based on clear
workshop purpose, goals, and objectives.
