On organizational change. A Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract: Based on the literature review of the highest impact journals in the discipline of administration, this paper shows the different emphasis and theoretical trends of the discussion on organizational change in the last twenty years. The contributions of the authors show the evolution of the concept of change, considering an organization as a whole, as well as those who make part of it. The content and structure of this paper is the result of the dynamics found around six different theoretical proposals: change and institutionalism, evolutionary and revolutionary change, planned change, change and learning, leadership and change, and change and communications. The usefulness of this article is diverse. First, the theoretical currents shown expose a useful toolkit for practitioners in order to manage various effective processes of change. Second, it serves as a hermeneutic tool to understand and sort organizational phenomena and thus advance along their understanding.