Introduction

As competitive environments shift from relatively static to constantly turbulent, organizations are shifting from planned episodic change strategies to developing continuous change as a core competency (Brown & Eisenhardt, 1997). However, understanding the nature and process of change is a complex process. Whether change happens to an organization or the organization plans change, consequences can be unpredictable. Leaders can enhance organizational survivability by combining a keen understanding of internal and external environments and a strong sense of how their organization fits in the external environment with an understanding of the types and processes of change.

In this booklet, I will compare and analyze two prevailing perspectives on organizational change: the traditional view that sees change as a planned episodic process that is the consequence of failed leadership, and the emerging view that sees change as an inherent constant process that allows an organization to adapt to environmental pressures. Although each perspective has key differences, I will propose that these processes are not mutually exclusive but are different perspectives on the same phenomena. Linking the different approaches can help leaders to understand and influence organizational development and adaptability.