Organization Change: Theory and Practice, Second Edition

by W. Warner Burke

The Second Edition of this bestselling text continues to make clear how effective organization change is grounded in sound knowledge about human behavior in the workplace. Author W. Warner Burke reviews various models and cases to demonstrate how to diagnose change issues in organizations. Greater emphasis is placed on planned, revolutionary change over the gradual, evolutionary change typically experienced by organizations. The book combines and integrates theory and research with application for insight into all aspects of organization change.



Key Features of the Second Edition

Extends coverage of leadership: The chapter on Leading Organizational Change is now accompanied by a new chapter entitled Transformational Leadership. This chapter covers the fundamentals of leadership compared with management, transformational leadership, and the roles and responsibilities of the change leader.Utilizes unique theory bases for understanding organizations and change: Additional theory bases such as Capra′s ideas about the life sciences, chaos theory, and Gladwell′s The Tipping Point are discussed.Examines both evolutionary and revolutionary organization change: Organization change is discussed at different organizational levels and with clarification of resistances to change making it easy for the reader to comprehend.Discusses the nature of change: The Second Edition begins by addressing how organization change is initiated by changing behavior and not by changing mental sets or attributes, which gradually change over time as key behaviors are enacted, measured, and rewarded.Illustrates the usefulness of models: Additional models such as one developed by Burke and Litwin have been included to help assess what needs to be changed and what priorities are over time.

Intended Audience

This is an excellent core textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on Organization Change in the areas of organization psychology, industrial psychology, business administration, and organizational behavior. It is also a valuable resource for professionals and consultants in need of a reference for analyzing organizations.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction, School, Management, Education

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[John Tuttle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my Human Services classes. It has really helped me see systems in things all around me and how organizations are not just work place phenomenon, even your personal relationships can be seen through these terms

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the third of three textbooks read cover to cover in the 10 week semester. It's the one with the smallest print and longest chapters, so of course it was my least favorite of the three. But it's read and I can now return the rental. Thank heavens!

[Jurgen Appelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well researched!

[Rachel Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really good reference tool for any organization change professional. It offers solid background on the history of organization change, an overview of many of the principle change models, and an open discussion on what works (and doesn't work) when leading organization change. I thought many of his examples were helpful and clearly written. He returns to specific case studies frequently to tie parts of the book together through organizational stories. I also appreciate that the newer addition devotes some important time to the differences regarding organization change in nonprofits, hospitals, and government organizations (compared to for-profit businesses). I know this books will be on my reference shelf and I plan to return to it frequently.

[Robert Bogue]

Many people have tried to understand and share their understanding about how organizations change. Some of these are scholarly enough to refer to studies and research to back up their claims. Rarely, however, do I find such well researched work that looks beyond the common quoting of historical research to find new meaning in old works – or to restore the original insights that have been washed away. Organization Change: Theory and Practice is a work that is rare among peers in that it is well researched.

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[Danielle Lucas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had a lot of information, but was extreamly hard to absorb. Just not a great book for anything other than a reference guide. Also, with all the theories and frameworks mentioned, it was weird he used a bible story as fact right up front. Just not a good book. I had to read this for class and i dreaded every time i had to pick it up.

[Raya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimming

Good as references. Used for masters course. I liked the section on ways to keep change last within your organization.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm finished reading Organization Change: fabulous reference book, a must read, but for major strategic change when the organizational conceptual model is useless then read and use "Be D.R.A.M.A.T.I.C.Or NO ONE WILL CARE!" Afterwards determine what conceptual model dynamics fit so you can go back to incremental change and process improvements. In political terms, there is a time to be liberal and a time to be conservative. In any event, have this book nearby for you will refer to it often.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burke is a master of organization change.

[Vmay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well researched. A better reference or resource than a good read. It contains several theories and frameworks to use while researching change.

[CJ Venable · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry but informative.

[Rana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burke has his points, I must say !

[Abeer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unforgettable Book !
@Change the whole thing in my Life ..

[Beth Melillo]

//re-reading in 2026 with about a dozen+ organization type changes under my belt; still a good resource and overview.

[Patrick Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-researched, but a tad dense and slow for my tastes.