Theoretical orientations of organizational development practitioners

The aim in this study was to systematically survey the use of various theoretical approaches by OD practitioners. To this end, members of the International Registry of Organization Development Professionals were surveyed. The results were based on questionnaire data from 58 OD consultants with an average of 17.3 years’ experience. The theoretical approaches of Schein, Lewin, Weisbord, Argyris, and Maslow were, in rank order, the most frequently endorsed. The findings indicate that OD practitioners are largely eclectic in orientation and stress both micro and macro theoretical viewpoints in their consulting work. The implications and limitations of this investigation are discussed.