Organization Development and Change

Chapter Twenty Three: Future Directions in Organization Development

Thomas G. Cummings Christopher G. Worley

Learning Objectives for Chapter Twenty Three

To explore the trends affecting how OD is likely to be practiced in the future To explore how OD is likely to change in the future

Cummings & Worley, 8e (c)2005 Thomson/South-Western

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Trends Affecting OD Practice

Traditional Trends
Wealth is becoming more concentrated Economy is more globalized Ideologies are shifting from consumption to coexistence and ecological sustainability

Cummings & Worley, 8e (c)2005 Thomson/South-Western

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Trends Affecting OD Practice

Pragmatic Trends
Workforce is becoming older, more diverse, more educated Shift toward contingent employment & change in psychological contract No careers

Cummings & Worley, 8e (c)2005 Thomson/South-Western

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Trends Affecting OD Practice

Scholarly Trends
Emphasis on values of understanding, prediction, and control Search for variables that explain change and effectiveness

Cummings & Worley, 8e (c)2005 Thomson/South-Western

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Trends within OD Practice

Organization Development Will

Have more conflict in the short term Be more integrated in the long term

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Contextual Trends and Their Effects on ODs Future

Economy Workforce Technology
Organization Development will be: More embedded in the organizations operations More technologically enabled Shorter OD cycle times More interdisciplinary More diverse in client organizations More cross-cultural More concerned with ecological sustainability
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Organizations

The Future of OD
More embedded in the organizations culture More technologically enabled Shorter OD cycle times More interdisciplinary More diverse client organizations More cross-cultural Greater focus on ecological sustainability
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