Theories of Organizational Change I: Stage Theory

Organizations are complex and layered social systems, and they play an important role in health interventions. A significant proportion of health promotion interventions are still carried out primarily through organizations (e.g., worksites, schools, and hospitals). Therefore, an understanding of the theories of organizational change will help you tremendously when you work to promote health and prevent disease in community-based interventions.

Change may be influenced at each level of the organization (e.g., from each individual to work groups and to management). Health education strategies that are directed at several levels at once may be the most durable over time in producing the desired results.

We ll focus on three theories of organizational change. Now, let's take a look at Stage Theory, which has much in common with DOI Theory.

Modern Stage theory

This theory helps to explain how organizations plan and implement new goals, programs, technologies and ideas. Organizations are believed to pass through a series of "stages" with each stage requiring a unique set of strategies if the innovation is to progress. A strategy that may be effective at one stage may be wrongly applied at the next. An innovation's current stage of development must be correctly assessed and the proper strategies selected in order to be successful in the application of Stage Theory.

In 1978, Beyer and Trice developed the model of Stage Theory that consists of seven stages:

1. Awareness (Problems are recognized and analyzed)
2. Search for responses (Solutions are suggested)
3. Evaluation of alternatives (Solutions are evaluated)
4. Decision to adopt a solution (A solution is chosen)
5. Adoption (Policies are formulated, and resources for beginning changes are allocated)
6. Implementation (The innovation is implemented, and changes occur)
7. Institutionalization (The policy or program becomes an integral part of the organization.)

These stages are "in sequence." However, movement can be forward, backward, or abandoned at any point in the process.

Critiques of the Stage Theory

There are some criticisms of Stage Theory. The most common critique is that the stages need to be better defined. Second, the stage model is not yet complete since beyond institutionalization there should be renewal, when a well-established program evolves to meet changing demands. Lastly, the factors known to contribute to the program's development at each stage need to be expanded.