project manager for a 12 month programme of Organisation Development (OD)
Your organisation (or one with which you are familiar) is going through a period of change, and you have been appointed as the project manager for a 12 month programme of Organisation Development (OD). You are asked to develop a short research paper on the main theories and principles of organisation development. This should:
1.
Explore and discuss the origins of OD, leading towards contemporary definitions, and covering ideas of learning theory; psychology and behavioural science; social and organisational learning; and organisational systems theory. Make reference to theory, models and research as relevant. (AC1.1) (approx 500 words)
<use the 5ODT workbook Unit PDF and write the following sections. Relevant content is available on pages 8 – 13>
Origin of OD: 100 words
The first origins of Organisation Development began in the USA from different schools of thought and practice that include sociology, psychotherapy, systems thinking, and behavioral sciences. But its early foundation began from Kurt Lewin’s work on group dynamics and action research. In recent times, OD has undergone many new developments such as business process re-engineering, team development, etc. that have broadened its definition and usage. Because of this, OD is now interchangeably used with other disciplines like learning and development, the effectiveness of the organization as well as organizational design.[unique_solution]
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Contemporary definitions and principles: 100 words
As per CIPD, OD can be defined as a well planned and organised process to attain sustained organizational performance by involving the employees. Its principles are inclusive of;
- Organizational culture: It is the set values and behaviors that create a social and psychological environment for any company.
- Organizational strategy: it is the manner in which a company identifies the ongoing issues, negotiates for change, and also assesses the progress that has occurred in the firm.
- Organizational climate: it is the generalised expression of what an organizationis and the common perception of the people towards the company that then influences there workplace behavior.
Psychology and Behavioral Science & OD: Behavioral Science has been regarded as the critical discipline of organizational study and its related interventions. It can further be described as the study of employee behavior and incorporates the associated fields of anthropology, psychology as well as sociology. If appropriately applied then it can assist in getting solutions and in-depth insight about the employee behavior within the
Organization. This can then help the management to guide the workforce for meeting the stipulated goals and objectives.
Social Psychology & OD: 50 words
Social Psychology in OD is not just about focusing on the social influences; instead it is about the study of group behavior and how it impacts the overall development of the organization. Emphasis is given on areas such as leadership, prejudice, group dynamics as well as aggression, and prejudice.
Learning Theory and OD: The Learning Theory in the context of OD always focuses on creating a positive organizational change. Here the focus is given on developing the learning practices by making informed decisions. This allows the firms to develop training and development programs so that knowledge and skills can be enhanced, and increased specialization can be attained within the company.
Systems Theory and OD: This theory emphasizes the overall interactions that take place between the organizational systems and the environment. The organizational development can take place via monitoring the inputs, analyzing the feedback loops, and enforcing the necessary changes accordingly.
2.
Summarise key points as they are likely to relate to the project in question, discussing at least two of the theories, models or ideas previously explored. (AC1.1) (approx 500 words)
Discuss about Change and OD – 150 words
Discuss two theories / models of OD and how they can be applied to change. Use the two theories discussed in question 1 and how they are applied in change intervention – 150 words per theory
As per…change management has been defined as the process to attain a desired organizational state with minimal disruption and while managing the human emotions and employee concerns. Organisational Development, on the other hand, is the set of activities undertaken by the stakeholders to maintain the overall health of the company and maintain its long term future sustainability. In fact,…also states that both OD and CM go hand in hand, and they provide the necessary and crucial support to attain a long term future business survival. If a better understanding achieved by the management about the two approaches, then the organizational issues can be addressed in a better manner, and real value can also be provided at a given point in time. In fact, these can also help the leaders in developing their change capabilities and provide advice on the best interventions to be undertaken by the company.
Application of behavioral learning theory in Etihad airlines
The propounders of behavioral learning theory have a belief that every knowledge exists independently, and the learners are like a blank slate who learns through experience. According to this theory, the employee learning within ABC company can take place when there is a need to acquire a new behavioral trait such as punctuality. The stimulus behind the same is on account of the new manager who has joined the company who expects the staff to come to the office on time and submit the allotted task on time as well. The possible response towards the stimulus can be positive/negative/neutral, which is dependent on the previous behavioral trait that was present in the employee. With time the desired behavior can be reinforced in the employees through consultation sessions, which will become automatic in due course of time.
Systems Theory
This theory views the organization as an open social system that must interact with their external environment for its continual evolution and long term survival. Overall, the future sustainability of ABC company can only be maintained if it is aware of the external business environment and makes internal adjustments to accommodate the changes. The need is to adopt a holistic view that will assist in carrying out a complete assessment of the external forces that are most needed to create a secure future. A proper judgment can also be done if the consultant is appointed who can introduce a fresh perspective within the organization, and issues can then be solved differently. Other than this, increased communication should also exist between varied departments and managers to get the maximal advantage.
3.
Please also comment on how you will transfer the new knowledge and skills gained during this assignment into working practices. You may also use this reflection for your CPD. (approx 200 words)
The emphasis of the current study was on understanding the origin of organizational development, its definition, and the theories. After studying the module, I now have a clear understanding that OD has a long term origin and is used to enhance the overall performance of employees. I also found that both organizational development and change management are separate concepts but should go hand in hand if a company wishes to get maximum benefit in the form of increasing the productivity and attaining the organizational objective. I also gained a great understanding of its various principles, such as Organizational culture, strategy, and climate.
After understanding the different theories of OD, I am confident enough to apply then within my workplace. This is especially true for system theory, which states than an organization cannot survive for long if it lives in a vacuum and does not interact with the external environment. II will convince the management about the same and ask them to appoint an external consultant who has more awareness about the macro environment. This will undoubtedly assist the company in getting prepared for future changes and also enhance the overall business performance.
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You should also include 3-5 references from up to date and relevant sources in order to support your findings.
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