Beyond Lewin: Toward a Temporal Approximation of Organization Development and Change

Abstract

We describe the new dialogic organization development (OD) fleshed out by Bushe & Marshak (2009) . In comparing this approach with the old diagnostic OD, we explore the limitations of Lewin’s (1947) unfreeze-change-freeze model for depicting organizational change over time. We develop an approach that more fully approximates an adequate temporal model of change by incorporating attention to sequence, timing, pacing, rhythm, and polyphonic dimensions present in change. We use this approach to explore longitudinally how the new OD came to be, as well as how it is now entrained with the old OD, and show that our approach reveals a number of dimensions of change that are masked by Lewin’s model. We illustrate the use of our approach beyond OD to depict the temporal dimensions of Tushman & Romanelli’s (1985) model of convergence and reorientation. Finally, we suggest next steps for theory, research, and practice.