Is There a Real Difference Between Organizational Development and Organization Development in HR?

Hello, fellow HR practitioners! I was just recently transferred from Employee Relations to Training and OD. Thus, I'm still learning details about Training and OD, which I have not been previously exposed to.

I would like to ask if there is a difference between organizational development and organization development and which between the two refers to the OD usually under the HR Department as a section or area. Or does it mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably? (Personally, I don't think so...) I have tried to research about it via the internet and reading materials but I'm still unsure about it.

If anyone can take the time to expound on the difference; I would truly appreciate it.

Thank you.
meg2673

As per OB literature, organizational refers to "individual" as the unit of analysis, whereas organization refers to "collective or wholesome" as the unit of analysis. Else, the usage is interchangeably used everywhere with no watertight compartmentalization. This is to my knowledge.

The word "organisational" is an adjective for the noun "organisation" (meaning "belonging to an organisation"). Both are correct when used in the context of "OD".

Dear Friend,

Let us delve into a common general thought process.

1. Organizational Development: Internal development within the organization.
E.g. a) Human Resources (Employee) development by conducting training programs, welfare activities, motivating through different modes, etc.
b) Hierarchy Development by assigning gradings.
c) Infrastructure development by upgrading internal infrastructure like computers and furniture.
Similarly, we can list numerous developments related to organizational development.

2. Organization Development: Based on internal changes and competencies, organization development is examined. It involves the organization's growth in the market by comparing itself with previous years' turnover, expanding the organization, etc.

This is, to my knowledge, the difference between points 1 and 2. Please feel free to comment on the above.

Hello, good afternoon fellow HR practitioners! I'm really thankful for your insightful comments.

Before joining Training and OD, I really thought that organizational development and organization development were one and the same, but the more I read about it, I felt that there was some difference, but I wasn't too sure about it.

I am inclined to agree with some of the comments made on this thread though.

Again, thanks for the inputs. I really appreciate it.

meg2673 :icon12:

Can you give me some idea of why organizational change does not lead to organizational development?

The difference between organizational change and organizational development. I wanted to explain this clearly so that you do understand the difference because it is important.

Organizational change is a very broad area, dealing with all types of changes in organizations, large and small changes, fast and slow changes, periodic and continuous changes, painful and painless changes, planned and unplanned changes.

Organizational development is a specific approach to change; it involves carefully planned change, it involves slow rather than fast change, it attempts to make the change as painless as possible, and it is often an ongoing or continuous effort at improving the organization.

With best wishes.

Hello, good afternoon everybody,

First, I appreciate Mr. Ranjith for his good explanation. Once we concentrate on Organisational Development (i.e., Individual development in the Organisation), automatically Organisational Development will occur (i.e., Expansion of the Organisation in terms of increasing the branches or increasing the manpower, etc.), so both are having some differences.

Regards,

Sriharsha Y

Understanding Organization Development and Organizational Change

Both are interconnected. Organization development is a systematic approach that involves developing an organization by engaging all individuals within the organization. Organization change entails adopting changes to the technology used, altering the work culture, etc. Organizational changes contribute to organizational development.

Our organization used to rely on solution tools provided by The McQuaig Institute, which assist in organizational development. Embracing new technologies, strategies, and employee development training results in organizational change, paving the way towards development.

Regards

I'm sorry, so what you all are saying, in essence, is that organizational development is different from organization development. Does organization development also mean organization change?

Difference Between Organization Development and Organizational Development

Dear Colleagues,

There was very good sharing from our members on the key difference between Organization Development and Organizational Development. To further add, I will share what I understood:

1. Organization Development: This involves a deliberately planned organization-wide effort for the development of the organization as a whole. Generally, it is not part of HR and does not involve training or developing people, but rather focuses on the holistic development of the organization as a step-by-step process.

2. Organizational Development: This aims to develop the talents/people in the organization and is squarely a part of HR. It includes activities such as training, learning, culture, values, and so on.

Thanks and God Bless,

Dr. P. Sivakumar, Ph.D., HR
DrSIVAGLOBALHR
Tamil Nadu