Organic Systems Framework: A New Paradigm for Understanding and Intervening in Organizational Life

Barry Oshry shows that, despite many references to paradigms in the literature, there are no scientific paradigms (as defined by Thomas Kuhn) in management/organization theory and development. He then makes the case for the Organic System Framework as a legitimate candidate for paradigm status - from which further research naturally follows.
A proposal for the first ‘accredited’ OD paradigm In Part 1 of this compelling book, veteran researcher and practitioner Barry Oshry demonstrates beyond doubt that, despite the frequent references to paradigms and paradigm shifts in the management and organization literature, there are no scientific paradigms in this field as Thomas Kuhn defined them in his landmark essay.He then makes a clear and convincing case for the Organic Systems Framework (OSF) to be recognised as a legitimate candidate for paradigm status, one from which research that extends, elaborates, tests, and applies the framework follows naturally.Along the way he sets out clearly and succinctly his theories of:• Power and Love• Tops, Middles and Bottoms• How whole systems individuate, integrate, differentiate and homogenize...(so this is the shortest and clearest account, yet, of these established and well-researched theories.)Finally, Oshry outlines the many areas of further research that would inevitably emerge if his Organic Systems Framework were to achieve paradigm status.