ARTICLES

Administration & Society, 1999, #30 (6), pp. 640-675

In this paper, the processes of individual and organizational change - their characteristics and dynamics - are explored, and resemblances between personal and organizational change are highlighted. Factors such as a period of distress, a crystallization of discontent, a focal event, and a public declaration of intent are shown to play a role in both individual and organizational change. The process of working through the loss associated with change - a process that, like the process of mourning, is made up of a number of predictable stages: shock, disbelief, discarding, and realization - is outlined. Social support, locus of control, and hardiness are introduced as factors facilitating the change process. Finally, a case study showcasing a company that experienced a dramatic transformation is presented to highlight some of the critical change variables and to show how top management can use many of the levers that make for a successful transformation and change program.