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

y

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

y

Organization Development Will

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

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

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Contextual Trends and Their Effects on ODs Future

Economy
Organization Development will be: More embedded in the organization s operations More technologically enabled Shorter OD cycle times More interdisciplinary More diverse in client organizations More cross-cultural More concerned with ecological sustainability
Cummings & Worley, 8e (c)2005 Thomson/South-Western 23-7

Workforce Technology

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
Cummings & Worley, 8e (c)2005 Thomson/South-Western 23-8