Introduction

Organizational Development (OD) is

a field of research, theory, and
practice dedicated to expanding the
knowledge and effectiveness of
people to accomplish more
successful organizational change and
performance.
 PROCESS
OD is a process of continuous
diagnosis, action planning,
implementation and evaluation, with
the goal of transferring knowledge
and skills to organizations to improve
their capacity for solving problems
and managing future change.
Definition of Organization Development
Organization Development (OD) concerns
system wide planned change, uses
behavioral science knowledge, targets
human and social process of organizations,
and intends to build the capacity to adapt
and renew organizations -Cummings &
Worley, 2001
 EFFORT
OD is a long range effort to improve an
organization's problem solving and renewal
process, particularly through a more effective
and collaborative management of
organizational culture with special emphasis on
the culture of formal work teams with the
assistance of a change agent or catalyst, and
the use of the theory and technology of applied
behavioral science including action research.
What is OD? (Organization Development)
The O is about organizations (systems) of all
kinds; the units throughout society that are
human organizations existing to accomplish
some purpose.
The D is about change & improvement;
growing towards something, getting better at
ones mission, improving how work gets done
& people live their lives.
OD is...
A mindset (way of seeing the organization
world)
A set of value-based perspectives
A philosophy of organizing, managing and
changing organizations that include the human
element.
OD is...
An integration, across disciplines, of
theories, concepts and methods, for
understanding & changing human systems
(anthropology, psychology, sociology,
behavioral science)
A field of study & practice
Nature of Organizational Development
In 1960s the concept Organization Development was first
coined as the area of study in business discipline. It is a long
term process. Organization development is a systematic
process. Through this process both human and non-human
aspects are supposed to be improving. Every organization
contains supra system under the total system. Sometimes it
faces external and internal influences. Organization involves
people, machineries, methods work, relationships, and
coordination so on.
These are all every changing. These
components do not remain unchanged for a
long time. Human qualities need to be
developed, machineries become obsolete,
methods of work is changeable, relationship
among the people in either improving or in
some cases hampering due to the expiry of
time.
 OD Definition
Different people have defined Organizational
Development (OD) differently.
According to Koonz et. al, OD is a systematic
integrated and planned approach to improve the
effectiveness of the enterprise. It is designed to solve
problems that adversely affect the operational
efficiency at all levels.
 OD Definition
Burke has defined OD as a planned
process of change in an organizations
culture through the utilization of
behavioral science technology, research
and theory.
 OD Definition
In the opinion of French and Bell OD is a
systematic approach to organizational
improvement, that applies behavioral science
theory and research in order to increase
individual and organizational well-being and
effectiveness.
Now, OD can be defined as a long-term,
more encompassing change approach
meant to improve individual as well as
organizational well-being in a changed
situation.
Characteristics of
organization
development
1. Focus on culture
and process
It is focuses on the process that helps in
solving organizational problems and
achieving organizational objectives.
OD also gives importance to the
organizations culture.
2. Collaboration
Organization development
encourages heartfelt collaboration
between managers and employees
and members managing culture
and processes.
3. Accomplishment of tasks
Various kinds of teams and groups
play important roles for
accomplishment of organization
development activities. Thus
targets can also be achieved.
4. Human and social sides
Organization development
focuses on both human and
social sides. By doing so, it
intervenes in the technological
and structural sides also.
5. Participation
Participation and involvement of
managers and players can make
the organization development
process a success. It helps to
exchange views and ideal related
to organization development.
6. System change
Organization development focuses on
total system change. Because every
change is inevitable for the success of
any development program.
7. Facilitation
There are three parties to
organization development process.
They are facilitators, collaborators
and co-learners in the client system.
Cooperation of all these parties can
help the organization to develop.
8. Over arching goals
An overarching goal of the
organization is to make the client
system able to solve its problems. It is
done by teaching the skills and
knowledge on continuous learning
through self analytical methods.
9. Action research model
Organization development activities are
undertaken following the conclusions and
recommendations of action research
members related to client system.
10. Developmental view
Organization development takes a
developmental view for the
betterment of both process and
organization. Another practice in
organization development programs
is to create win-win solutions.
Objectives of Organization Development
1. To apply behavioral science theories:
The first objective of organization development
is to apply some behavioral science theories in
the organization. By applying these theories
organization development practices hope for
development.
2. To improve organizational performance:
Another objective of organization development
is to improve the overall performance of
organization. Thus organization can be
established as one of the important institutions
in human history.
3. To ensure proper use of individual efforts:
Individual performance should be
improved. This is possible by using
individual efforts properly. Organization
development ensures proper use of human
efforts and commitment.
4. To create awareness: Organization
development creates awareness among
the people working in the enterprise.
They feel the need for change in
comparison with other organizations.
5. To encourage people to solve
problems: Every organization has many
problems and challenges. Organization
development encourages people to
solve these problems and face
challenges at present and future.
6. To establish and maintain interpersonal
relations: Organization development activities
may be implemented with a view to establishing
and at the same time maintains interpersonal
relations among the people of the organization.
This can insure continuous growth.
7. To create & maintain work
environment: Working environment must
be favorable in the organization.
Organization development practitioners to
create favorable working environment and
maintain the same for smooth functioning
in future.
8. To increase knowledge & skills:
Knowledge on latest methods and skills can
streamline the growth of any organization.
Organization development intends to
increase the knowledge and skill levels
through training.
9. To minimize resistance to change: In most of
the cases, every change is resisted, it hampers
goal achievement. Organization development
helps minimize the resistance to change in a
positive mood so that management becomes
more alert.
10. To create job satisfaction: Job
satisfaction encourages the people to work
hard with joy. Organization development
creates job satisfaction of employees who
are involved in organization development
activities.
11. To increase motivation level:
Motivation creates interest for work among
the employees. Therefore another
important objective of organization
development is to increase motivation.
12. To crate supportive values: Every
organization and employee has some
values and norms. The values and norms
can help the organization to uphold its own
culture. Organization development creates
supportive suitable values and norms.
 ASSUMPTIONS AND VALUES OF OD:
ASSUMTIONS VALUES
Individuals: Individuals:

People want to grow and mature . OD aims to overcome obstacles to the natural
Employees have much to offer (e.g. creativity human tendency to grow, enabling employees
and energy) that is not being used at work . to contribute more to the organization.
Most employees desire the opportunity to OD stresses open communication, Treating
contribute (they desire, seek and appreciate employees with genuine dignity and respect is
empowerment). emphasized.
Groups: Groups:

Groups and teams are critical to Hiding feelings or not being accepted by the
organizational success and individual need group diminishes individual willingness to
satisfaction. solve problems constructively
Groups have powerful influences on Acceptance, collaboration and involvement
individual behaviour . lead to expressions of feelings and perceptions.
The complex roles to be played in groups
require skill development.
 Organization: Organization:
Excessive controls, policies The way groups are
and rules are detrimental
linked, influences their
Conflict can be functional if
properly channeled Individual Effectiveness, change
and organizational goals can be should start at the top and
compatible . gradually be introduced
through the rest of the
In most organizations, the level organization.
of interpersonal support, trust
and cooperation is lower than The group links the top
desirable and necessary
and bottom of the
organization
 SUMMARY
OD Effort
is a planned change
involves the total system
managed with total acceptance and commitment of the
top management
is designed to improve organisational effectiveness
makes use of behavioural science knowledge
Cont
is in terms of intervention at the task or structure or
technology or people level
is an ongoing process and long term process
relies primarily on experiential learning
uses an action research intervention mode
Summary contd...

OD can make a
difference
Good understanding
Proper response
Adaptability
Introduction
Organizational Development (OD) is
a field of research, theory, and
practice dedicated to expanding the
knowledge and effectiveness of
people to accomplish more
____________organizational
change and performance.
Introduction
Organizational Development (OD) is
a field of research, theory, and
practice dedicated to expanding the
knowledge and effectiveness of
people to accomplish more
successful organizational change
and performance.