Title: Transitioning organisations for sustainability: implications for organisation development and change management

Authors: Jessica W. Bartenhagen; Ann E. Feyerherm

Addresses: JB Consulting, P.O. Box 79175, Belmont, MA, 02479, USA ' Department of Applied Behavior Science and Organization Theory and Management, Graziadio School of Business and Management, Pepperdine University, 18111 Von Karman, Irvine CA 92612, USA

Abstract: Transitioning organisations for sustainability (TOS) is the practice of holistic organisational transformation in response to complex social, ecological, and economic challenges. This study examined the relationship between the worldview of organisation development (OD) and change practitioners and their professional identity, particularly those practicing TOS. The study compared professional data with levels of agreement with the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale (Dunlap et al., 2000). Data were collected through a survey of Pepperdine University MSOD affiliates and interviews with TOS practitioners. Current TOS practice, a future desire for TOS practice, and a future-oriented outlook were shown to have some positive relationship to greater levels of agreement with the NEP Scale. This research substantiated a connection between worldview and the professional identities of OD practitioners in TOS. It also supported proposals in the literature that OD practitioners may be well positioned to lead this type of complex change.

Keywords: sustainability; organisational development; transitioning organisations; change management; organisational transformation; worldview; new ecological paradigm; NEP Scale; dominant social paradigm; DSP; holistic transformation; professional identity; strategic management; sustainable management; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSM.2013.058591

International Journal of Sustainable Strategic Management, 2013 Vol.4 No.2, pp.137 - 154

Published online: 30 Jun 2014 *

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