Description
The Third Edition of the bestselling Diagnosing Organizations shows how consultants and applied researchers can help decision makers quickly and flexibly diagnose problems and challenges and decide how to deal with them. This thoroughly revised edition can help practitioners of diagnosis directly address concerns that are critical to clients, rather than just provide feedback on current conditions and operations. In an authoritative yet readable fashion, author Michael I. Harrison presents updated treatments of the uses of diagnosis, evaluating organizational effectiveness, improving team performance, planning organization redesign projects, and assessing organization-environment relations and competitive strategy. Also treated are the politics of change management, professional dilemmas, and ethical issues confronting practitioners.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Diagnosis: Approaches and Methods
Uses of Diagnosis
Three Keys to Successful Diagnosis
Diagnosis in Turbulent Times
Conclusion and Plan of the Book
Exercise
2. Open Systems Models
Using the Open Systems Approach
Gathering and Analyzing Data
Assessing Effectiveness
Assessing Feasibility of Change and Choosing Appropriate Interventions
Exercises
3. Assessing Individual and Group Behavior
Model for Diagnosing Individual and Group Behavior
Action Model for Group Task Performance
Diagnostic Methods and Procedures
Exercises
4. System Fits and Organizational Politics
Diagnosing System Fits
Emergent Behavior and Culture Versus Official Mandates
Assessing the Impacts of Fits and Gaps
Power and Politics
Exercises
5. Environmental Relations
Guidelines for Diagnosis
Diagnostic Methods
Exercises
6. Challenges and Dilemmas of Diagnosis
The Goals Dilemma
The Politics Dilemma
The Professionalism Dilemma
Conclusion
Conclusion
Appendix A: General Orientation Interview
Appendix B: Instruments for Diagnosis and Assessment
Appendix C: A Guide to Diagnosing Behavior During Meetings
Appendix D: Resources for Developing Expertise in Diagnosis
References
Index
About the Author
