What Do OD Practitioners Know About Managing Change?

Abstract

Suggests that change is inherent in contemporary organizational experience, and its management is not only critical to organizational success but it is also at the centre of the field of organization development (OD). Describes the results of a survey of 357 OD practitioners regarding their knowledge and understanding of important aspects of organizational change. Based on a comparison of the survey data collected with previous research, demonstrates that this group of presumed “change experts” is, in fact, more knowledgeable in most areas about the application and process of organizational change than their managerial and executive counterparts. Presents further analyses that serve to highlight different areas of knowledge and application of change management techniques with respect to various respondent characteristics, e.g. internal versus external status, number of years of experience in the field, etc. Concludes with a call for reflection regarding the results obtained and continued research in this area.

Citation

Warner Burke, W., Church, A.H. and Waclawski, J. (1993), "What Do OD Practitioners Know About Managing Change?", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 14 No. 6, pp. 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437739310047038