As noted earlier, definitions of OD are known more for their variety, especially with respect to what they emphasize, than for consensus. different definitions stress the importance of such things as management from the top (Beckhard, 1969); long-range improvement, particularly regarding ability to change the with the help of consultants (French, 1969); a plethora of system-wide processes (Beer, 1980; his exuberant definition consists of 59 words); planned change with emphasis on the organization's culture (Burke, 1982); and the transfer of behavioral science knowledge to planned development for greater organization effectiveness (Cummings & Worley, 2005