Conclusion: ‘changing futures’

Aaron C.T. Smith, James Skinner and Daniel Read

Chapter 15 in Philosophies of Organizational Change, 2026, pp 343-363 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Chapter 15 provides a summary of the 13 philosophies examined in the book, as well as the approach used for their analysis. It begins by acknowledging that change can be understood as the movement away from a present state toward a future state. However, change is rarely easy or painless. At the same time, the capacity to change to meet environmental challenges is essential for organizational survival. The chapter observes that the best ‘philosophy’ for approaching change is complicated by cautious researchers who focus on describing the complexity of change, and zealous business consultants who favour simplistic but authoritative solutions. It highlights that implementing change with consistent success remains a subject of contention, and is influenced by the fundamental assumptions made about the nature of change and its barriers. The chapter notes that, in the absence of a consensus or unifying theory, it is instructive to understand the 13 fundamental philosophies of organizational change. It finally explores how future-focused change leaders must embrace paradox, temporal agility and strategic foresight to navigate overlapping disruptions. The chapter emphasizes that change is no longer a discrete event but a continuous state of becoming.

Keywords: Philosophies; Summary; Assumptions; Review; Theory; Foresight; Agility; Paradox (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035372164
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