Organization Change: Theory and Practice

by W. Warner Burke

The Third Edition of this bestselling text continues to make clear how effective organization change is grounded in sound knowledge about human behaviour in the workplace. Author W. Warner Burke reviews various models and cases to demonstrate how to diagnose change issues in organizations. Greater emphasis is placed on planned, revolutionary change over the gradual, evolutionary change typically experienced by organizations. The book combines and integrates theory and research with application for insight into all aspects of organization change.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction, School, Management, Education

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[John Tuttle]

I read this for my Human Services classes. It has really helped me see systems in things all around me and how organizations are not just work place phenomenon, even your personal relationships can be seen through these terms

[Lisa]

This was the third of three textbooks read cover to cover in the 10 week semester. It's the one with the smallest print and longest chapters, so of course it was my least favorite of the three. But it's read and I can now return the rental. Thank heavens!

[Jurgen Appelo]

Very well researched!

[Rachel Reynolds]

This book is a really good reference tool for any organization change professional. It offers solid background on the history of organization change, an overview of many of the principle change models, and an open discussion on what works (and doesn't work) when leading organization change. I thought many of his examples were helpful and clearly written. He returns to specific case studies frequently to tie parts of the book together through organizational stories. I also appreciate that the newer addition devotes some important time to the differences regarding organization change in nonprofits, hospitals, and government organizations (compared to for-profit businesses). I know this books will be on my reference shelf and I plan to return to it frequently.

[Robert Bogue]

Many people have tried to understand and share their understanding about how organizations change. Some of these are scholarly enough to refer to studies and research to back up their claims. Rarely, however, do I find such well researched work that looks beyond the common quoting of historical research to find new meaning in old works – or to restore the original insights that have been washed away. Organization Change: Theory and Practice is a work that is rare among peers in that it is well researched.

Read more

[Danielle Lucas]

This book had a lot of information, but was extreamly hard to absorb. Just not a great book for anything other than a reference guide. Also, with all the theories and frameworks mentioned, it was weird he used a bible story as fact right up front. Just not a good book. I had to read this for class and i dreaded every time i had to pick it up.

[Raya]

Skimming

Good as references. Used for masters course. I liked the section on ways to keep change last within your organization.

[Beth Melillo]

//re-reading in 2026 with about a dozen+ organization type changes under my belt; still a good resource and overview.

[Kevin]

I'm finished reading Organization Change: fabulous reference book, a must read, but for major strategic change when the organizational conceptual model is useless then read and use "Be D.R.A.M.A.T.I.C.Or NO ONE WILL CARE!" Afterwards determine what conceptual model dynamics fit so you can go back to incremental change and process improvements. In political terms, there is a time to be liberal and a time to be conservative. In any event, have this book nearby for you will refer to it often.

[Sarah]

Burke is a master of organization change.

[Vmay]

Very well researched. A better reference or resource than a good read. It contains several theories and frameworks to use while researching change.

[CJ Venable]

Dry but informative.

[Rana]

Burke has his points, I must say !

[Abeer]

Unforgettable Book !
@Change the whole thing in my Life ..

[Patrick Hutchinson]

Well-researched, but a tad dense and slow for my tastes.