Page 18 - DMGT520_ORGANIZATION_CHANGE_AND_DEVELOPMENT

Unit 1: Introduction to Organisation Development

1.6 Implications of OD Values and Assumptions Notes

The implications of OD values and assumptions may vary for dealing with individuals, groups
and organisations.

Implication for Dealing with Individuals

It is based on the assumptions that most individuals have drives towards personal growth and
development if provided a supportive and conducive environment.

Implications for Dealing with Groups

It is based on the assumptions that most people wish to be accepted and to interact with at least
one small reference group and are capable of making greater contributions to a group
effectiveness and development.

Implications for Dealing with Organisations

A key assumption in organisation development is then needs and aspirations of human beings
are the reasons for organized efforts in the society. The belief is that people can grow and
develop in terms of personal and organisational competency to produce the desired result.
The basic value of OD theory and practice is that of choice.
Learning is seen as an integral part of choice. Therefore, OD utilizes various strategies to intervene
into the ongoing activities of the organisation in order to facilitate learning and to help the
organisation (groups within it, as well as individuals who make up the groups) to be able to
make better choices about alternative ways to proceed more effectively. Because choice is a
fundamental value, OD works with the organisation to find out how the organisation wishes to
proceed. OD is not prescriptive in its purest form. (Organisations in crisis often demand a more
prescriptive approach and this is always a difficult decision for the OD practitioner to weigh).
Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
6. OD is a systematic application of behavioral science knowledge to the planned development
and reinforcement of organisational strategies, structures and processes for improving an
organisation’s effectiveness.
7. Survey research is the stem of OD which is a collaborative, client consultant inquiry.

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Case Study Sea side is forced to Modernize

991 ushered in a new era for Sea Side, the mail order retailing agent. The billion
Rupees Company was growing faster than ever before and was no longer the small,
1homegrown catalog store. Located in South Kolkata, its five thousand employees
reflected the local culture, as did its management practices and the philosophy of its
founder and Chairman, Shantanu Das: “Take care of your people, take care of your
customers, and the rest will take care of itself.” In 1991 Mr. Das decided that the company
Contd...

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