Organizational development: the new buzz word

Abstract

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Organization Development (OD) is one of the newer HR buzzwords, driven by a variety of business needs such as leadership development, change management, internal communication and business process re‐engineering. Text book definitions of OD make it sound as if it should be a lot more systematic and methodical than it is in practice. While OD writers such as Warner Burke, Richard Beckhard and Ed Schein define specific phases of organization development, the reality within an organization is different, with the HR or OD practitioner having to work more opportunistically.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.

Citation

Rowland, H. (2007), "Organizational development: the new buzz word", Strategic Direction, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 3-4. https://doi.org/10.1108/02580540710716509