The end of organization theory? : language as a tool in action research and organizational development / Øyvind Pålshaugen ; with comments from Björn Gustavsen, Dag Østerberg, John Shotter.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 147-149).

Introduction -- Ch. 1. Organization Development and Action Research -- The relationship between word and deed in organization development -- The organizational form of language: discourses -- Action research: organization development through the reorganization of discourses -- A sketch of a strategy for action research (in three phases) -- Ch. 2. The Foundation Phase: Dialogue Conferences -- Linking up with the company's discourse -- Launching the development organization concept -- Dialogue with the executive management -- The decision to hold a dialogue conference -- The dialogue conference for the company -- The need for an internal public sphere at the company -- Old problems in new patterns: effects of the internal public sphere -- Break (1): from present problems to tomorrow's organizational form -- Alternating perspectives: personal experience and organizational understanding -- Break (2): from the subject matter of the dialogues to dialogues as a work form -- The simulation of the development organization -- The decision to establish a development organization -- Ch. 3. The Project Development Phase: Development Organization at Work -- The development organization as an internal public sphere -- Interpretation of experiences with the development organization -- Modifying the development organization -- Discussion about cooperation problems -- The interconnection between discussion and cooperation procedures -- The dialogue conference for supervisors and elected department representatives -- Cooperation or conflict? Linguistic and real dilemmas -- Interlude: the question of delegation -- Discussion of the development organization: simulation of processes, not results -- Opinions on the differentiation of the development organization -- The yardstick for evaluating the development organization -- Separate discussions with the company management and the trade union leadership -- Strategy for transferring process competence to the company -- The supervisor's conference under the direction of the company -- Discussions in the company development committee -- The interpretation of the trial arrangements -- At the limit of discussions: a practical test -- Ch. 4. The Institutionalization Phase -- The paradox of institutionalization -- Ch. 5. Coda: Theory and Practice in Action Research -- What, if anything, is new? -- New theory and practice -- A new interpretation -- Critical language theory in practice -- An organization's internal public sphere: its nature and its supplementation -- References.

Machine converted from AACR2 source record.