Organization Development: Behavioral Science Interventions for Organization Improvement (6th Edition) [Paperback]

Wendell L. French (Author), Cecil H. Bell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 013242231X | ISBN-13: 978-0132422314 | Publication Date: December 25, 1998 | Edition: 6

Appropriate for courses in Organization Development, this new edition explores the improvement of organizations through planned, systematic, long-range efforts focused on the organization's culture and its human and social processes. The authors present a concise and comprehensive exposition of the theory, practice, and research related to organization development. The Sixth Edition reflects the most recent developments, advances and expansions, and research in the area of OD. KEY TOPICS: Adds and updates new material to provide the most current information available. Strengthens coverage by adding new interventions and new material. Offers a more lively tone and writing style. Emphasizes the everchanging paradigms in OD theory and describes several new and important interventions in considerable detail. Sets discussions in the rapidly-evolving contexts of globalization, intensified competition and collaboration, Total Quality Management (TQM) and large-scale organizational change. Provides excellent coverage of the organization and its dynamics for managers and professionals.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

French and Bell explore the improvement of organizations through planned, systematic, long-range efforts focused on the organization's culture and its human and social processes. They present a concise but comprehensive exposition of the theory, practice and research related to organization development. The Fifth Edition reflects recent developments, advances and expansions, and research. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Appropriate for courses in Organization Development, this new edition explores the improvement of organizations through planned, systematic, long-range efforts focused on the organization's culture and its human and social processes. The authors present a concise and comprehensive exposition of the theory, practice, and research related to organization development. The Sixth Edition reflects the most recent developments, advances and expansions, and research in the area of OD. Adds and updates new material to provide the most current information available. Strengthens coverage by adding new interventions and new material. Offers a more lively tone and writing style. Emphasizes the everchanging paradigms in OD theory and describes several new and important interventions in considerable detail. Sets discussions in the rapidly-evolving contexts of globalization, intensified competition and collaboration, Total Quality Management (TQM) and large-scale organizational change. Provides excellent coverage of the organization and its dynamics for managers and professionals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 6 edition (December 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013242231X
• ISBN-13: 978-0132422314
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Business & Investing > Organizational Behavior > Organizational Change
  • #81 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Management Science

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Conceptual!, March 2, 2000

By 

Charlotte Bullock (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Organization Development: Behavioral Science Interventions for Organization Improvement (6th Edition) (Paperback)

I have read and continue to re-read this book. The authors are two of very few individuals who have OD in black and white. From a sociotechnical systems theory to accurate team building, a must for all OD specialists.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book "fills in the blanks" of OD, June 21, 2002

By 

Peter D. Grimn "Dr. Peter Grimm" (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Organization Development: Behavioral Science Interventions for Organization Improvement (6th Edition) (Paperback)

The book provides an introduction to the discipline, describing the historical foundations as well as specific applications in both for-profit and non-profit settings. The definition provided is deceptively simple; it is brief, yet completely encompasses the critical elements of OD efforts. What brings me back to it as a text again and again, however, is it's comprehensive list and descriptions of OD techniques. I have yet to find another book that so simply lays out the fundamentals of activities for interpersonal, team, inter-team, and large-scale organizational change. The final chapters deal with issues of consulting and the future of OD.
Because it ranges from a large-scale conceptual overview down to the nitty-gritty specifics of OD activites, it serves as an ideal framework to springboard to other books and readings.

Only caveat: The writing style is not commensurate with the excellence of the content.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Classic, November 1, 2004

By 

OD Consultant (Valley Forge, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Organization Development: Behavioral Science Interventions for Organization Improvement (6th Edition) (Paperback)

I'm a little disappointed at those who were horrified at its age--the French and Bell book is a classic and it was updated in 1999. Anyone who is interested in learning OD should read the book and you will get a great foundation. Go from there to learn more about individual OD interventions or theories. Yes, Kotter's book is great, too, but Kotter speaks about leading change (only one topic in OD) or about leadership (another goodie but only one topic). If you don't know anything about OD, read this book. Because it was originally written in the 70s doesn't invalidate it; in fact, it shows how good it is.