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Abstract
Although literature in the field has engaged in discussions regarding practitioner skills and characteristics, stated values of the field, intervention strategies, and other related activities, organization development (OD) has been engaging in an ongoing search for further purpose and definition. Several authors have forwarded definitions of OD and the associated outcomes or dependent variables. Although OD definitions have been discussed in previous research, few authors have attempted to analyze the definitions in terms of outcomes. This article explores twenty-seven definitions of OD published from 1969 to the present. Associated dependent variables are examined. The result of the categorization of dependent variables by seven participating OD experts is explored.
Introduction
What are the outcomes or intended results of organization development (OD)? Related literature regarding this question appears to be scarce. This article attempts to answer this frequently forwarded, but often unanswered question regarding the dependent variables of OD (Bazigos & Burke, 1997; Church, Burke & Van Eynde, 1994; Church, Waclawski & Seigel, 1996). It is believed that this study is the first to specifically examine OD outcomes through the exploration of published definitions from a variety of scholars and practitioners.
OD has been engaging in a search for purpose and definition. Many OD scholars and practitioners have developed definitions of OD and countless more have used common definitions to explain theories, rationale, and approaches (Bazigos & Burke, 1997). Cole identified that use of the term of OD and OD related practice and scholarship commenced in the 1950s and at the charter meeting of the Organization Development Network in 1968 (Gustafson, 2001). The establishment of the Organization Development Institute soon followed (Gustafson, 2001). According to Burke (1994), the term "organization development" was first coined in the literature in 1969. Several definitions can be found from that year (Beckhard, 1969; Bennis, 1969; Blake & Mouton, 1969; Golembiewski, 1969; Lippit, 1969). Each word, organization and development, have been analyzed and reflected upon by OD scholars (Golembiewski, 1992a, 1992b). There have been many statements in the OD literature to suggest that the field is uncertain of its direction and identity, including the assertion that "nobody agrees exactly what doing OD means" (Church et al., 1996).
The on-going exploration of the term organization development is important to any...