The Blind Spots in Theory U: The Reconstruction of a (Change-) Management Fashion

Abstract

Following a long period where the concept of a learning organization was the most popular way to implement change projects, consultants have now begun to apply a programme known as Theory U. A description of Theory U from a sociological perspective reveals that it has the typical structure of a management fashion. Theory U resembles a management fashion in as much as it holds out the promise that an organization – all of society, or even simply one individual – will be better off than beforehand after it has run through the various phases of the change process.