Explaining Development and Change in Organizations

1. Explaining Development and Change in Organizations Van de Ven & Poole Cecelie Lyngnes Eirik �sebak Anirban Mukherjee

2. Presentation outline Overview Four ideal-type developmental theories A typology of change process theories Theories of complex development and change process Conclusion

3. Overview On the basis of an interdisciplinary literature review, the authors introduces four basic types of process theories that explain how and why change unfolds in social or biological entities: life-cycle, teleological, dialectical, and evolutionary theories. These four types represent fundamentally different event sequences and generative mechanisms to explain how and why changes unfold. The four ideal-types are then arranged into a typology by distinguishing the level and mode of change to which each theory applies. Finally one considers how the typology is useful for understanding a variety of specific theories of change processes in organizations The authors contend that all specific theories of organizational change can be built from one or more of the four basic types.

4. Typology Motors Generative mechanisms which explain how and why changes unfold Process Progression of events in an organizational entity�s existence over time Change One type of event, is an empirical observation of differences in form, quality, or state over time in an organizational entity Entity May be an individuals job, a work group, an organizational strategy, a program, a product, or the overall organization Development is a change process i.e. a progression of change events that unfold during the duration of an entity�s existence � from the initiation or onset of the entity to its end or termination Process theory Explanation of how and why an organizational entity changes and develops

5. Families of ideal-type theories of social change We use this table when explaining the four ideal-type theories. We don�t think its necessary to use one slide for each theory, but rather show this during the presentation of all theories.We use this table when explaining the four ideal-type theories. We don�t think its necessary to use one slide for each theory, but rather show this during the presentation of all theories.

6. A typology of change process theories The four theories provide for internally consistent accounts of change processes in organizational entities Four distinguishing characteristics Process is viewed as a different cycle of change events Governed by a different �motor� or generating mechanism Unit analysis Mode of change

7. Process theories of organizational development and change

8. Theories of Complex Development and Change Process Reason for relative complexity of specific theories vis-a-vis ideal types: Org Development spreadover Space and Time Change influenced by diverse units and actors (eg: Biomedical Innovation of Cochlear Implant) Inherent Incompleteness of Single Motor

9.  By specifying the presence or absence of the four motors in a given situation, an array of 16 logically possible explanations of organizational change and development becomes apparent. Single-motor theories Dual-motor theories Tri-motor theories Quad-motor theories

10. Example: Dual Motor Life Cycle Vs Taleological : Gradual Evolution of Technology

11. Benefits of the framework A step toward a more parsimonious explanation of organizational change and development Heuristic for critique and reformulation The framework points out previously unexplored explanations of organizational change and development Supports inductive research by identifying characteristics of the four motors, and the conditions under which they are likely to operate

12. Conclusion Introduces a typology of four ideal-type theories of organizational development and change: life-cycle, teleological, dialectical and evolutionary. Each theory relies on a different motor of change, which can be mapped as a distinct action cycle However, observed change and development processes are often more complex than any one of these theories suggest A framework of 16 logically possible explanations of underlying change and development is developed, which provide a systematic way to compare and contrast alternative theories of organizational change

13. Conclusion Important extensions of the framework Nesting Timing Complementarity

14. Discussion Can all models of development be reduced to 4 relatively simple motors and their interactions? What would be the subsequent use of this framework vis-�-vis further research?

15. Limitations Examples quoted in article seemed tailormade Doesn�t adress if the model is suitable for all situations High on Theory with distinct lack of emperical foundation Inability to illustrate higher degrees of composite theories Scope and purpose of the paper not very evident.