Distinguishing between types of change and linking them with distinct problems
not only allows an OD practitioner to make a better targeted intervention, it also
allows the practitioner to monitor the change process by keeping tabs on what the
problem is and how it is being dealt with. Several trajectories can be imagined.
For example, an attempt to socialize members of organizational subunits into
each other’s realities to make them work together better can digress into a
process that decreases the scope of institutionalization within the organization
as a whole when one subunit starts to dominate with a detrimental effect on the
ability to cooperate. Another trajectory could involve an informed attempt to
decrease the scope of institutionalization, but while this is taking place, the realization
is made that the symbolic order as a whole is inadequate and the process
needs to be redirected towards a full strategic change.