DDM students are partnering with Naval researchers to tackle some of the thorniest challenges faced by today’s forces.
In July, representatives from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N17, the Navy Culture and Force Resilience Office, met with 130 students enrolled in MN 3010, “Leading Innovative Organizations and People.”
- They briefed MN 3010 students on how their office leverages behavioral science to address operational problems related to Navy culture and sailor well-being.
MN 3010 students, working in teams, will in turn complete a class project that outlines strategies for addressing a specific U.S. Navy operational problem.
- They will draw on course material and additional research.
- A select number of MN 3010 student teams will be invited to brief OPNAV N17 representatives on their work during the fall quarter.
The partnership directly intersects with the goals of MN 3010, which aims to help students understand the structures and processes that make up organizations so they can better appreciate how they succeed and why they falter or fail.
- Over the quarter, students apply theory and concepts to different organizational challenges and situations, working collaboratively in teams.
Two faculty members are supporting this work.
- Spearheading the initiative is Associate Professor Erik Helzer, who has worked with OPNAV N17 staff on past research projects. Dr. Helzer guides the design and teaching of MN 3010. He is teaching two segments of the class this quarter.
- Senior Lecturer Mitchell Friedman is teaching one segment of the class, and plans to share updates on LinkedIn over the next few months.