Starategies for planned change

This book describes in succinct ways the various strategies and tactics available for creating social change. With ample illustrations from a broad array of contexts, various criteria are discussed as guide- lines for selecting particular strategies and tactics. The authors bring together the literature on innovation diffusion and organizational change-both theoretical and practical, and stress the action implication of theory about change. In addition to an explicit discussion of strategies, there is a careful treatment of the major par- ties involved in planned change- the change agent and agency, and the individual and organizational client. Special attention is given to issues of resistance to change, def- inition of social problems, utiliza- tion of research, and value and ethical dilemmas. Most importantly, each chapter concludes with a summary of basic principles or guidelines to be followed in plan- ning change. Over seventy-five professional change agents were interviewed extensively for source material. The authors also draw heavily on their own broad experience as professional change agents in the United States and abroad. Students of sociology, social work, economic development, education, organization behavior, anthropology, and public health along with professional change agents and managers of social action agencies are almost certain to find extensive new ideas and previously unreported examples.