Organization Development and Consulting: Perspectives and Foundations (Practicing Organization Development Series) [Paperback]

Fred Massarik (Author), Marissa Pei-Carpenter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 21, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0787946648 | ISBN-13: 978-0787946647 | Edition: 1

This thoroughly research-based book-- written by two experts in the field Fred Massarik and Marissa Pei-Carpenter with contributions from other well-known professionals-- reestablishes the connection between theory, research, and practice and affirms core OD values. They emphasize the "personhood" of the consultant and client, the relevance of "feel" and intuition combined with fact and technique, and the importance of real people doing real things in real time holistically. In addition to these core ideas, the authors outline new viewpoints that are especially relevant in today's rapidly changing world. They explain that quick-fix linear approaches are not likely to bring substantial lasting results and OD must be rooted in the vast knowledge available about the human condition-recognizing the complexity of real life. They also show how value is the essential cornerstone of organization development.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Organization Development and Consulting: Perspectives and Foundations— a book in The Practicing Organization Development Series— is a volume written for organization development (OD) professionals, for academics, and for others seeking an overview of the OD field. This comprehensive resource shows you where OD is today and offers reflections on the future of OD.
This thoroughly research-based book— written by two experts in the field Fred Massarik and Marissa Pei-Carpenter with contributions from other well-known professionals— reestablishes the connection between theory, research, and practice and affirms core OD values. They emphasize the "personhood" of the consultant and client, the relevance of "feel" and intuition combined with fact and technique, and the importance of real people doing real things in real time holistically. In addition to these core ideas, the authors outline new viewpoints that are especially relevant in today's rapidly changing world. They explain that quick-fix linear approaches are not likely to bring substantial lasting results and OD must be rooted in the vast knowledge available about the human condition-recognizing the complexity of real life. They also show how value is the essential cornerstone of organization development.
This well-focused volume is filled with a wide variety of illustrative examples and short-to-the-point vignettes that are based on the authors' experiences or adapted from major business publications. Throughout this important book, Massarik and Pei-Carpenter provide a framework for rediscovering the basic values of OD and offer a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles.

About the Author

Fred Massarik is a professor emeritus of behavioral science and industrial relations and former chair of the behavioral and organizational science faculty in the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is an original member of the National Training Laboratories Institute for Applied Behavioral Science (NTL) and consults internationally with corporate clients and universities.

Marissa Pei-Carpenter is a business consultant focusing on strategic planning/ management decision-making, quality and continuous improvement, and teamwork. Her clients have included organizations such as AT&T, Toyota, Exxon Chemical, Allied Signal, Rockwell International, Unocal, Orange County Transportation Authority, Amgen, and the American Heart Association.

Editorial Board: David Bradford, W. Warner Burke, Edith W. Seashore, Robert Tannenbaum, Christopher G. Worley, and Shaolin Zhang.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Pfeiffer; 1 edition (February 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787946648
• ISBN-13: 978-0787946647
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,883,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars basic textbook of organizational development for students and consultants, May 6, 2007

By 

Daniel Ofek (Hod Hasharon, Israel) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Organization Development and Consulting: Perspectives and Foundations (Practicing Organization Development Series) (Paperback)

this book is a basic text book introductory to the org. development comes very handy to org. consulting students and practitioners. it covers in a rather shallow fashion systematically most aspects of the subjects, activities of this occupation. it can be used as a basic but exhaustive reference.