FUNCTIONAL stupidity can be catastrophic. It can cause organisations to collapse, financial meltdown and technical disaster.
But, says Professor Mats Alvesson, an internationally respected expert on management, stupidity can also produce good short term results through enthusiasm, trust, focus and compliance.
Professor Alvesson of Sweden’s Lund University, describes this as “the stupidity paradox” and his book of the same name has become an international bestseller.
“It’s a tome against mindless conformism,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who included the book on the Christmas reading list, recently told The Guardian.
It explores the dangers of mindless conformity and deference, and how a culture which questions established ways of doing things better enables organisations to innovate and succeed.”
Professor Alvesson is to give an address at the University of Sydney Business School, titled The Stupidity Paradox – the power and the pitfalls of functional stupidity at work.
Previewing the talk, he said it would tackle head-on the pros and cons of functional stupidity.
“You'll discover what makes a workplace mindless, why being stupid might be a good thing in the short term but sometimes very problematic in the longer term, and how to make your workplace a little less stupid by challenging the thoughtless conformity that most organizations cultivate,” Professor Alvesson said.
www.sydney.edu.au
Date: Thursday 9th March 2017
Time: 12:00 noon
Venue: Room 5050, Abercrombie Building (H70)
Cnr Abercrombie and Codrington Streets, Darlington
The electricity grid in Australia is entering a significant period of transition, driven by the shift from traditional sources of electricity generation to new sources such as wind and solar. At the same time, new technology is rapidly changing the way in which households and businesses interact with the grid.
The Chair of the Committee, Andrew Broad MP, said the inquiry would seek to understand the community’s expectations of the electricity grid, examine challenges and opportunities involved in modernising the grid, and learn from the experiences of other countries.
“New technologies such as renewables and energy storage are already transforming the grid—both here in Australia and overseas. We want to hear from the community about their priorities for the grid, and about how a modern grid can better meet the needs of all Australians,” Mr Broad said.
The Chair emphasised that the Committee would work together to identify practical recommendations that balance the need for security and affordability, and to ensure that the grid has the flexibility to adapt to emerging technologies and needs.
“The Committee sees this inquiry as an opportunity for all sides to work together in the national interest. The grid is essential to our way of life, but it is complex and needs careful consideration. Parliamentarians have an important role to play in building support in the community for changes that will bring about a grid that is more secure, more sustainable, and fairer for consumers,” Mr Broad said.
The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mr Pat Conroy MP, explained that despite the uncertainty about how the mix of electricity generation will evolve into the future, the Committee’s focus would be on the pressing need to modernise the electricity transmission and distribution networks.
“There is a legitimate debate about how our electricity will be generated in the future. Yet, it is already clear that the electricity grid is approaching the limits of what it was designed to do. The critical question for the Committee is, what actions can be taken now to ensure that the grid has the flexibility to integrate electricity from a variety of sources at the lowest possible cost?” Mr Conroy said.
In conjunction with the inquiry, the Committee has launched an online questionnaire, which asks households and businesses to share information about how they currently interact with the electricity grid, and about their expectations of the grid into the future.
The Committee will also accept written submissions, addressing one or more of the terms of reference, until 28 April 2017. To assist stakeholders in formulating their submissions, the Committee has prepared a brief discussion paper expanding on the terms of reference.
Throughout the inquiry, the Committee will hold public hearings with government agencies, industry and community groups, and other interested stakeholders. In the coming weeks, the Committee will be looking to set the context for the inquiry, so that the Committee and the community can better understand the current state of the grid, and have a clearer picture of the task at hand.
Further information about the inquiry—including the terms of reference, the discussion paper, and the online questionnaire—is available on the inquiry webpage. Information about how to make a submission to an inquiry can be obtained from the Parliament of Australia webpage.
Committee Chair Andrew Laming MP said hearing from these important and innovative government organisations was very important to the Committee.
“Each of these organisations is at the cutting edge of technology and innovation and the Committee is keen to hear about the research that each organisation is currently undertaking,” Mr Laming said.
Committee Deputy Chair Terri Butler MP said she was looking forward to hearing from the organisations.
“As well as an impressive research and technology focus each of these organisations are involved with training some of Australia’s top scientists. It will be interesting and important for the Committee to hear their views on Australia’s education priorities,” Ms Butler said.
Committee Chair, Michelle Landry MP, said the Committee was looking forward to taking evidence on how driverless vehicles have the potential to improve many aspects of life for all Australians.
“Testing of driverless vehicles has begun here in Australia and in many other countries around the world.
It is time to consider not just the technological developments but importantly the social issues that will impact all Australians in the near future. Driverless vehicles have the potential to significantly improve road safety, environment outcomes, and productivity of the economy while also assisting people with mobility issues.” Ms Landry said.
During the inquiry the Committee will focus on issues such as:
Safety concerns for passengers and non-passengers
Security risks and privacy requirements of automated technologies
Legal frameworks and changes to regulations
Management of labour market impacts
Accessibility outcomes for rural and regional Australians, and
Accessibility outcomes for disability groups and the ageing population.
A number of public hearings have been scheduled in Canberra and interstate during March, April and May. The schedule can be found here.
The Committee is still accepting submissions for this inquiry. Please notify the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you intend to make a submission.
Further information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Committee website. The Committee is expected to report by September 2017.
THE Treaties Committee will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Monday to examine three separate treaties: a bilateral social security agreement with New Zealand, a multilateral agreement for regional cooperation for nuclear research, and a multilateral agreement for the harmonisation of standards for vehicles.
Committee Chair Stuart Robert MP said public hearings allow the text of each treaty to be carefully examined.
“Although treaty making remains the prerogative of the Executive, the role of the Committee is to examine each treaty brought before it, to determine if it is in the national interest. This public hearing is an opportunity for the Committee to examine the terms of each treaty and ensure that they meet the needs and expectations of Australians and is in our national interest,” Mr Robert said.
Under this Agreement people who have lived in both countries will have access to specified income support payments in their current country of residence. The new Agreement replaces a similar existing agreement, and provides that both countries will contribute to these social security payments on a proportional basis.
The proposed Agreement will facilitate regional cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the East Asia-Pacific region, through joint research, development and training projects. The proposed Agreement is an important mechanism to fulfil Australia’s obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The proposed Agreement updates earlier agreements that harmonise technical safety and environmental regulations for vehicles, and consequently reduce barriers to the international export and import of vehicles between countries.
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