An Evolving Paradigm

An Evolving Paradigm: Integrative Perspectives on Orgainizational Design, Change, Strategic Management, and Ethics-was prepared specifically for Benedictine University'sdoctoral program in organization development (OD). In addressing the myriad strategicconsiderations that underlie intervening in organizations, questions of posturing, imagemanagement, and ethics raise significant challenges for how we think about our role as changeagents and the unique set of responsibilities that we assume in that role. An earlier volume in theResearch in Management Consulting series, -- Emerging Trends in Management Consulting -- focused on the Janus-faced nature ofmanagement consulting. Janus, the Roman god of doorways and gateways, looking backwards and forwards with contrastingperspectives-beginnings and endings, comedy and tragedy, good and evil - is a useful analogy to capture the multidimensionalnature-positive and negative-of the consulting realm. For all the challenges and shortcomings the field of OD and change mightencompass, there are also those magical moments when our interventions succeed, when our efforts truly enhance organizationalperformance, and when organizational members grow, develop, and become more satisfied with their roles and activities. The reality isthat the latter demands our conscious attention, commitment, and, to some degree, sacrifice. When we are less thoughtful than weshould be, when we are distracted by other commitments and obligations, or when we findourselves in situations where we are less than prepared is when Janus' other facematerializes. The volume explores the possibilities and challenges inherent in ODintervention and change initiatives.