Previously, the primary focus of organization development (OD) was defined differently, depending upon what professional was being asked.  W. Warner Burke, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University viewed OD as planned change in the culture of an organization using principles of behavioral science facilitated by a consultant.  Present that same question to Lynda McDermott, a director of human resources, and she viewed OD in a much broader sense, one that focused on both culture and management systems.  Jan Margolis, a corporate director had yet another perspective.   She sees the OD process as strictly a senior management function (Hurley, 1983).

Regardless of which perspective seems most appropriate, each perspective correctly alludes to at least one salient aspect of OD.   Changing the corporate culture is commonly a major component in the OD process.  Brown (2011) suggests that culture is a key factor to outstanding financial performance, which is certainly at least one of the underlying goals of OD initiatives (Brown, 2011).  Change, of course, is not restricted to culture alone, but inclusive are management systems such as organizational structures, policies, and processes.  The idea that OD is solely a senior management function seemingly highlights the prominent role that leaders play in establishing cultural values, which again, play a key role in the behaviors of its citizenry (McShane, Von Glinow, 2012).

Brown defines organization development as, “an emerging discipline aimed at improving the effectiveness of the organization and its members by means of a systematic change program” (Brown, 2011, p.5).  Delving slightly beneath the surface of the composite descriptions of OD, one could identify three key components in the OD process:  the role of corporate culture, OD managed and planned change, performance orientation, and change itself (Brown, 2011).

References

Brown, D.R.  (2011).  An experiential approach to organization development eighth

     edition.  Prentice Hall.  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey  07458.

Hurley, P.G.  (1983).  Q.  What in the name of OD do we do?  A.  change.  Training &

     Development Journal, 37(4), 42.

McShane, S.L., Von Glinow, M.A.  (2012).  Organizational behavior.  McGraw-Hill

     Irwin.  New York, NY  10020.