Organizational Change and Development: New Arenas for Inquiry and Action

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to identify and explore new arenas of inquiry and action in the organizational change and development field. Recent developments are examined in seven categories: (a) refinement of change theories, (b) developments in research methodologies, (c) a new emphasis on strategic issues including strategic leadership and organizational transformation, (d) the role of OD in multinational firms, (e) development of the organizational culture construct, (f) the development and use of high performance-high commitment work systems, and (g) the use of OD approaches in social movements. Based on developments in these areas, the argument is advanced that the field is currently characterized by a renewed focus on changing whole systems and a wide breadth of progress cutting across theory, method, and practice.