This document discusses evaluating organizational development (OD) interventions and institutionalizing changes from those interventions. It addresses issues in evaluating interventions such as selecting valid and reliable measurement variables and using appropriate research designs. Feedback during and after implementation is important. Factors that influence whether changes are institutionalized include characteristics of the organization, intervention, and processes that socialize and commit people to the changes. Indicators that changes were institutionalized include knowledge, performance, preferences, and consensus around new norms and values.

1. Organization Development and Change
Thomas G. Cummings
Christopher G. Worley
Evaluating and Institutionalizing
OD Interventions

2. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
11-2
Learning Objectives
for Chapter Eleven
• To understand the issues associated with
evaluating OD interventions
• To understand the process of
institutionalizing OD interventions and the
factors that contribute to it

3. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Issues in Evaluating OD
Interventions
• Implementation and Evaluation Feedback
• Measurement
– Select the right variables to measure
– Design good measurements
• Operational
• Reliable
• Valid
• Research Design

4. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Implementation
Feedback
• Feedback aimed at
guiding
implementation efforts
• Milestones,
intermediate targets
• Measures of the
intervention’s progress
Evaluation
Feedback
• Feedback aimed at
determining impact of
intervention
• Goals, outcomes,
performance
• Measures of the
intervention’s effect

5. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
11-5
Implementation and
Evaluation Feedback
Diagnosis
Design and
Implementation
of Interventions
Alternative
Interventions
Implementation of
Intervention
Clarify
Intention
Plan for
Next Steps
Implementation
Feedback
Measures of
the Intervention
and Immediate
Effects
Evaluation
Feedback
Measure
of
Long-term
Effects

6. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Sources of Reliability
• Rigorous Operational Definition
– Provide precise guidelines for measurement:
How high does a team have to score on a five-
point scale to say that it is effective?
• Multiple Measures
– Multiple items on a survey
– Multiple measures of the same variable (survey,
observation, unobtrusive measure)
• Standardized Instruments

7. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Types of Validity
• Face Validity: Does the measure “appear” to
reflect the variable of interest?
• Content Validity: Do “experts” agree that the
measure appears valid?
• Criterion or Convergent Validity: Do
measures of “similar” variables correlate?
• Discriminant Validity: Do measures of “non-
similar” variables show no association?

8. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Elements of Strong Research
Designs in OD Evaluation
• Longitudinal Measurement
– Change is measured over time
• Comparison Units
– Appropriate use of “control” groups
• Statistical Analysis
– Alternative sources of variation have been
controlled

9. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Evaluating Different
Types of Change
• Alpha Change
– Movement along a stable dimension
• Beta Change
– Recalibration of units of measure in a stable
dimension
• Gamma Change
– Fundamental redefinition of dimension

10. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Institutionalization Framework
Organization
Characteristics
Intervention
Characteristics
Institutionalization
Processes
Indicators of
Institutionalization

11. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
11-11
Organization Characteristics
• Congruence
– Extent to which an intervention supports or
aligns with the current environment, strategic
orientation, or other changes taking place
• Stability of Environment and Technology
• Unionization

12. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Intervention Characteristics
• Goal Specificity
• Programmability
• Level of Change Target
• Internal Support
• Sponsor

13. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Institutionalization Processes
• Socialization
• Commitment
• Reward Allocation
• Diffusion
• Sensing and Calibration

14. Cummings & Worley, 8e
(c)2005 Thomson/South-Western
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Indicators of
Institutionalization
• Knowledge
• Performance
• Preferences
• Normative Consensus
• Value Consensus