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Social Constructionism in the Context of Organization Development: Dialogue, Imagination, and Co-Creation as Resources of Change
Celiane Camargo-Borges and Emerson F. Rasera 2013 3: SAGE Open DOI: 10.1177/2158244013487540

For discussion:

1. Compare and contrast systems theory and the social construction perspective in the context of organizational change. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each perspective? What assumptions does each approach make?

2. The authors argue that “social constructionist theory together with its resources brings a fresh approach to organizational development where the focus is on people generating mean­ing together to create their organizational worlds” (p. 6). Do you agree? Which approach – the social construction approach or systems theory – resonates with you more? Which do you think resonates with clients?

Strengthening Organizational Change Processes: Recommendations and Implications from a Multilevel Analysis
Karen S. Whelan-Berry, Judith R. Gordon, and C. R.(Bob) Hinings
The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, June 2003; vol. 39, 2: pp. 186-207.

For discussion:

In this case, identify the changes that occurred at each of these multiple levels: organization, group, and individual. How does the authors’ proposed organizational change process relate to the models you read about in Chapter 4?