In looking at the various major approaches being used to introduce organization structures, an author chooses a
"change distribution" approach. Organization development (OD) is a new term which means a conceptual,
organization-wide effort to increase an organization's effectiveness and viability.
The objective of OD is to improve the organization's capacity to handle its internal and external functioning and
relationships – the same is for organization structure. This would include such things as improved interpersonal and
group processes, more effective communication, enhanced ability to cope with organizational problems of all kinds,
more effective decision processes, more appropriate leadership style, improved skill in dealing with destructive
conflict, and higher levels of trust and cooperation among organizational members. These objectives stem from a
value system based on an optimistic view of the nature of man – that man in a supportive environment is capable of
achieving higher levels of development and accomplishment. Essential to organization development and
effectiveness is the scientific method – inquiry, a rigorous search for causes, experimental testing of hypotheses, and
review of results.