Managing organizational transitions

Abstract

and often forgotten idea: that things can and do change quickly, but that people do noteven though they are under strong pressure to do so. But events sabotaged the presentation: The day it was made, morning papers carried the story of the decision to bring back the old Coke. Such is the fate of anyone who tries to work with change! Social and technological change is an old story in America; in some ways it is the American story. A hundred and fifty years ago the French author Alexis de Tocqueville noted in his diary: Born often under another sky, placed in the middle of an always moving scene, himself driven by the irresistible torrent which draws all about him, the American has no time to tie himself to anything, he grows accustomed only to change, and ends by regarding it as the natural state of man. He feels the need of it, more he loves it; for the instability, instead of meaning disaster to him, seems to give birth only to miracles all about him.