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A Systemic View of Change Management and Its Conceptual Underpinnings

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Abstract

This paper presents a critical analysis of a systemic view of change management and its conceptual underpinnings. It reflects upon the systemic view from perspectives of modernism and postmodernism. The understandings so developed are then synthesised in terms of structuration theory. It is argued that organisational change is characterised by diversity and interactions, which necessitates a systemic approach using multiple methods in one intervention. By making transparent the conceptual underpinnings, it is shown that this systemic view can help build an improved understanding of organisational change characterised by diversity and interactions, and it can support the use of multiple methods to manage organisational change in one intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business Organisation and Management, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, BT37 0QB, United Kingdom

    Guangming Cao & Marie McHugh

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  1. Guangming Cao
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  2. Marie McHugh
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Correspondence to Guangming Cao.

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Cao, G., McHugh, M. A Systemic View of Change Management and Its Conceptual Underpinnings. Syst Pract Act Res 18, 475–490 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-005-8484-4

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