Managing Organizational Change: A Philosophies of Change Approach
ABSTRACT The underlying assumption of the classical, linear approach to organizational change
is that it involves a series of predictable, reducible steps that enable senior management to establish
a new work order and routines. This article confronts the conventional assumption that change is a
finite, one-off phenomenon, representing the exception rather than the rule. Beginning with the
rational change model as an exemplar, and subsequently by examining 10 organizational change
philosophies, this article reviews the fundamental assumptions governing different change
management approaches. In revealing the biases and uni-dimensional nature of theoretical
philosophies of organizational change, this article argues for a multi-philosophy approach that
applies an interactive mix of continuity and change. Managing the continuity-change continuum
helps to guard against complacency and inertia, and underpins an organization’s capacity both
to exploit and explore.