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Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA)IOA Journal Volume 10, Issue 1Reflections on a Team Approach to an Ombuds Office This paper presents reflections on a team approach to an organizational ombuds office for an international corporation headquartered in the US. The authors briefly review the establishment of the office, present descriptions of each role on the team, and reflect on experiences and lessons learned. The authors submit that their team approach to ombuds work has empowered the team to fulfill its purpose in rounding out the company’s integrated conflict management system; has enhanced the quality of ombuds services to individuals; has enabled effective reporting and recommendations for systemic improvements; and has enriched each member of the team. The authors hope that this paper encourages additional dialogue about the team approach to an ombuds office. Read ArticlePersonal Reflection: How the Ombudsman Role Changes the Practitioner This article presents the reflections of two practitioners who built an enduring friendship while serving together as board members of the Corporate Ombuds Association. They were asked to review their personal experiences, focusing on how the ombuds role had changed them. After much contemplation and drafting separate articles they discovered that, although their individual experiences were unique, their personal development was remarkably similar. Read ArticleAn Invitation from the Journal of the International Ombuds Association Read Letter
Ombudsing in the New Era Many ombuds offices arose in times of unrest, incivility, and questions about individual rights and responsibilities. Today is no different. As ombuds enter an era where individuals seem to be losing the ability to dialogue, this article examines how ombuds might lead the way in reestablishing connection among individuals and groups. Through the lens of Planned Happenstance Theory, it argues that the history of the profession uniquely positions ombuds to take action. Read ArticleReimagining the Role of the Organizational Ombuds This article expands the 2016 IOA Annual Conference’s Mary Rowe Honorary Keynote Address, “Reimagining the Role of the Organizational Ombuds.” It asserts that ombuds should be thought of as transformational leaders. Using a real case example, it contends that making connections and understanding consequences from the ombuds’ unique vantage point is a form of risk assessment and change management that should be integral to our work. The article also argues for an activist interpretation of the ombuds role and its potential to shift individual ombuds and the profession at large from a transactional to a transformational orientation. Read ArticleAbout the JIOAThe Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) is a peer-reviewed online journal for scholarly articles and information relevant to the ombuds profession. As members of a relatively new profession, we continually strive to understand, define and clarify the role and function of the professional organizational ombudsman. Learn MoreIf you have any questions about the JIOA please contact the co-editors via email at [email protected].
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