Organization Development and the Role of Change Agent

Subject Areas : Futurology

R.  Najafbagy ¹ (نویسنده مسئول)

Received: 2007-04-28 Accepted : 2007-11-13 Published : 2008-03-20

Keywords: Organization development, organizational behaviour, change in behaviour, change agent,

Abstract :

Organization development and improvement of work procedures is one of the most fundamental steps in anyorganization. But, the important point in “organization development” is that, it is a planned and consciouschange regarding the development of capabilities and abilities which lead to high performance, effectiveness,efficiency and organizational health. It is based on institutionalizing new values, and creating employees’confidence in the organization. First, this idea emerged from Kurt Lewin indicating: unfreezing, change andrefreezing. Then, Greiner emphasized on development and change as a process of systematic and interrelatedchange. Later, Levitte designed a model different than Lewin and Greiner. He looked at the organization as asystem comprising four parts: organizational functions, structure, technology, and manpower. According tohim, a manager should be careful of the effect of each of these factors might have on the other. In short,organization development from these views will follow the study of the organizational problems, diagnosingthem, developing plan for improvement and change, implementing the changes and eventually, evaluationand the feedback. Consequently, informing the management about the results.