THEORIES OF

ORGANIZATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Ledesma, Cindy Grace

 FIVE CORE ORGANIZATIONAL DEV. THEORIES

1.Lewin’s Change Theory

2.System’s Theory
3.Action Research
4.Complexity Theory
5. Social Constructionism Theory
LEWIN’S THEORY
Unfreezing • create an awareness of how the status quo, or current level
of acceptability, is hindering the organization.

Changing • a process where the organization must transition or move

into this new state of being.

• symbolize the act of reinforcing, stabilizing and solidifying

Refreezing the new state after the change.
 SYSTEM THEORY
- subsystems' whose inter-relationship and
interdependence move toward equilibrium within the
larger systems.
- “A system is a set of interrelated
parts unified by design to achieve
some purpose or goal”- Brown, 2011
ACTION RESEARCH
• a process in which initial research about the
organization provides information to guide
subsequent action.
COMPLEXITY THEORY
• complex adaptive systems which
need to respond to the external
and internal environment.
SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONISM
THEORY
• uncover the way in which employees, teams and
departments within the organisation interact with each
other.
• backdrop for the culture and organisational traditions.
 “All the knowledge we have today was once
considered a theory. Don’t stop looking for the
answers to life, you might just be the one who
changes the world”
Steven Aitchison
(from Raise YourMind.com)

-THE END-
 THEORIES OF
ORGANIZATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Ledesma, Cindy Grace