MBA capstone final project [case study: the exploratorium's relocation & workforce strategy]
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Authors
Barnett, Adrienne
Issue Date
2010
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Business administration
Alternative Title
Abstract
There is no science center in the world, which has impacted the museum field and science education as profoundly as San Francisco's Exploratorium. Through its innovative approach to interactive, hands-on exhibits, the Exploratorium has revolutionized the museum experience. In fact, "Anyone who has ever taken his or her kids to a children's museum or visited any of the world's three hundred interactive science and technology centers has directly experienced the power of the Exploratorium" (Crutchfield, & McLeod, p.104).
The Museum is now seeking to expand its impact, and in a sense reinvent itself by moving from its historic location at the Palace of Fine Arts to Piers 15 and 17 on San Francisco's Embarcadero. This relocation provides an opportunity to examine its current practices and seek ways to make the Museum even more effective at educating the public about scientific phenomenon. This case study examines the workforce issues that the Museum faces as it seeks to reinvent itself and remain competitive and retain its innovative edge. Much of the current workforce is very experienced and nearing retirement. The Museum faces the challenge of retaining the important skills and institutional knowledge possessed by these employees, while at the same time incorporating fresh ideas from newer, often younger, staff. A succession management and leadership development strategy has been proposed to address this issue. The idea is that "effective succession management enables companies to react quickly to change and endure difficult times. At its best, succession management allows a company to seamlessly merge its employees' capabilities and career aspirations with the company's business strategy and talent needs" (Lamoureux, Campbell, & Smith, 2009, p.3). This case study seeks to make clear the need for the Exploratorium to develop and implement a succession plan, as well as makes recommendations on how to optimally incorporate it into the practices and business strategy of the Museum.