{"title":"Reflections on Revolutionary Change","authors":"C. Gersick","doi":"10.1080/14697017.2019.1586362","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Almost thirty years ago, I wrote a paper about a set of ‘revolutionary’ theories that were emerging in disparate fields, challenging the traditional assumption that large scale change occurs gradually and in tiny increments. They suggested, instead, that systems change more dramatically, through the alternation of long and stable ‘equilibriums’ with relatively short, disruptive ‘punctuations’ of transformative reconfiguration. In this paper I reflect on how my own understanding of this Punctuated Equilibrium paradigm has been influenced since then by my experience conducting two long-term studies – one on the founding and growth of an innovative NGO in a Bornean rain-forest, and one on women’s adult development in the context of the late twentieth century women’s movement. I use examples from these studies to re-examine the importance of the Punctuated Equilibrium paradigm for understanding complex systems, not only for comprehending and diagnosing problems accurately, but for creating and carrying out effective solutions.","PeriodicalId":47003,"journal":{"name":"JOURNAL OF CHANGE MANAGEMENT","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0000,"publicationDate":"2020-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/14697017.2019.1586362","citationCount":"7","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"JOURNAL OF CHANGE MANAGEMENT","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2019.1586362","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"MANAGEMENT","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 7
Abstract
ABSTRACT Almost thirty years ago, I wrote a paper about a set of ‘revolutionary’ theories that were emerging in disparate fields, challenging the traditional assumption that large scale change occurs gradually and in tiny increments. They suggested, instead, that systems change more dramatically, through the alternation of long and stable ‘equilibriums’ with relatively short, disruptive ‘punctuations’ of transformative reconfiguration. In this paper I reflect on how my own understanding of this Punctuated Equilibrium paradigm has been influenced since then by my experience conducting two long-term studies – one on the founding and growth of an innovative NGO in a Bornean rain-forest, and one on women’s adult development in the context of the late twentieth century women’s movement. I use examples from these studies to re-examine the importance of the Punctuated Equilibrium paradigm for understanding complex systems, not only for comprehending and diagnosing problems accurately, but for creating and carrying out effective solutions.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Change Management is a multidisciplinary and international forum for critical, mainstream and alternative contributions - focusing as much on psychology, ethics, culture and behaviour as on structure and process. JCM is a platform for open and challenging dialogue and a thorough critique of established as well as alternative practices. JCM is aiming to provide all authors with a first decision within six weeks of submission.