The past, present and future of organization development: Taking the long view

Abstract

Organization development has been, and arguably still is, the major approach to

organizational change across the Western world, and increasingly globally. Despite this,

there appears to be a great deal of confusion as to its origins, nature, purpose and

durability. This article reviews the ‘long’ history of organization development from its

origins in the work of Kurt Lewin in the late 1930s to its current state and future

prospects. It chronicles and analyses the major stages, disjunctures and controversies

in its history and allows these to be seen in a wider context. The article closes by

arguing that, although organization development remains the dominant approach to

organizational change, there are significant issues that it must address if it is to achieve

the ambitious and progressive social and organizational aims of its founders.