Changing Organizational Culture: Cultural Change Work in Progress

by Mats Alvesson, Stefan Sveningsson

How is practical change work carried out in modern organizations? And what kind of challenges, tasks and other difficulties are normally encountered as a part of it? In a turbulent and changing world, organizational culture is often seen as central for sustained competitiveness. Organizations are faced with increased demands for change but these are often so challenging that they meet heavy resistance and fizzle out. Changing Organizational Culture encourages the development of a reflexive approach to organizational change, providing insights as to why it may be difficult to maintain momentum in change processes. Based around an illuminating case study of a cultural change programme, the book provides 15 lessons on the entire change journey; from analysis and design, to implementation and how organizational members should approach change projects. This enhanced edition considers the most recent studies on organizational change practice, with new examples from businesses and the public sector, and includes one empirical study which uses the authors’ own framework, enriching their practical recommendations. It also draws on the latest theoretical developments, including ideas of power and storytelling. Accompanying the text is an online pedagogic and research ideas guide available for course instructors and lecturers at Routledge.com. Changing Organizational Culture will be vital reading for students, researchers and practitioners working in organizational studies, change management and HRM.

218 pages, Hardcover

First published December 10, 2007

About the author

Mats Alvesson är professor vid Lunds universitet och arbetar även vid University of Queensland, Australien, och City University, London. Han forskar och skriver om bland annat organisationskultur, ledarskap, identitet i organisationer och kvalitativ forskning och intresserar sig för fenomenet funktionell dumhet.

Reviews

[Lieke Nijland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit boek biedt geen grote inzichten en er zit veel herhaling in. Het is interessant om in een casus te zien waar organisatie verandering mis kan gaan. Echter wordt veel erg wollig omschreven en herhalen ze vaak dezelfde punten. Je kunt het beste meteen hoofdstuk 12 lezen, dan lees je alle conclusies. Mocht je aan de hand daarvan nog vragen hebben, kan je altijd een hoofdstuk extra lezen.

[Anvesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book i read on culture. However the value of book is in the observations on change management initiative as it happened in organization over the years and some theoretical background to support their observations.

Its not a very easy read and i took quite some time to complete it. However, once read , it leaves you satisfied that you have gained some knowledge.

[Mårten Andersson]

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