CALL FOR INDIAN OD CASE STUDIES

FIRST CALL FOR  INDIAN OD CASE STUDIES

Rupande  Padaki,  Joseph George, Gopal Mahapatra and Mary Mathew

The role documented OD activity in India will play is immeasurable.  Documented OD activity will serve as a resource useful in consulting, teaching, research and knowledge acquisition.  This call aims to motivate members of the ODINSANGAM to contribute written OD case studies they have witnessed, been actors in, heard about.  Case studies can be successful ones or even more interesting, experiences of failed OD efforts. In other words both success and failure stories are most welcome.  Case studies of OD in an Indian context, with Indian actors, in Indian organizational climates and settings are welcomed.  Case studies of foreign multi-national OD experience in India, are also solicited.  All case studies must be originally written by the author/s. 

The general definition of OD given by French and Bell, 1999 can be used as a guideline.  They define OD as follows:  “…. a long-term effort led and supported by top management, to improve an organization's visioning, empowerment, learning, and problem-solving processes, through an ongoing, collaborative management of organizational culture, with special emphasis on the consultant-facilitator role and the theory and technology of applied behavioral science, including participant action research" (French & Bell, 1999). 

 In the long run an edited book on OD case studies will be published and sequels evolved.  Rich OD data on the Indian experience is rare to find. This resource base will have use for both Indians and global change managers alike. 

The following are the guidelines for OD case study submission:

(a) Aspects to note when writing your case study:

Clearly written case studies highlighting the nature of the change that was / is being managed are encouraged.  Indianness in the theme is essential, however cases may well be on a MNC in India, and experiences if any on Indians practicing OD in Indian companies abroad.  Cases on OD successes and failures are equally welcome.    Care must be taken to elaborate  the process in each case study.  The process can be described as follows:

(i)      Planning for change, level of change, individual, group, organization, other, include the industrial sector, functional area if necessary

(ii)    The nature of change will describe the element being changed like, behavioral, structural, process, culture, technology, customer, skills, etc

(iii)  Other interventions like quality movements, HR interventions, cultural change also qualify

(iv)  The characters being addressed in the case must be described: namely the client system, the interventionist (change agent) or the top management of the system.  

(v)    The method of intervention used, for example the diagnostic tools used, the process for diagnosis, target behaviors for change or elements of change, assessments of facilitating and restraining factors, feedback and procedure used for the feedback process, feedback reception, the design of the intervention, the actual intervention,  sub systems involved, evaluation of change, feedback process, success or failure.  Difficulties encountered.

(vi)  Any theory used: for example, action research, systems theory, OD theories, group dynamics and process consulting

(vii)Any hint of philosophies or schools of thought used, like use of science, socio-technical approach, sociology, radical humanism, functionalism,  behaviorist.

(viii)                     The outcome of the intervention, impact and effects, long and short term

(ix)  Learnings and insights from the case study

Whilst these guidelines are essential to maintain uniformity and quality, minor deviations around the guideline is permissible. 

(b) Style guide to follow when writing your case study:

All case studies must have an abstract and main case study.  All abstract must not exceed 250 words.  The following guideline must be followed:

This is the title of your OD Case study and it has a font size of 14 using Times Roman

This is the abstract of the case study.  This abstract must make clear a summary of the process described in (a). The font size for the body of the abstract is size 12 and Times Roman.  Kindly restrict yourself to 250 words. This abstract will be used to screen your case study and assess if it fits and is suitable for the OD database.  In case it is found lacking feedback will be provided. The case studies will be reviewed by Dr Rupande Padaki, Gopal Mahapatra, Dr Joseph and Prof Mary Mathew.  The deadline for the abstract is July 25^th.   Kindly email the case study to marymathew24@gmail.com   All emails bearing your abstract must carry the subject heading “OD Case study”.  Authors will be members from ODINsangam for now, with co-opted co-authors where necessary.  All abstracts must have “key words” below them.  Key words will be small phrases describing the sector of your case study and anything you wish to highlight. Key words will evolve organically and be used to index case studies over time.  Kindly use, Times Roman 12 and italic, for key words. Once all case studies are received we will send you an email with details of how to go about writing your main case study.  Nevertheless, note that the style guide for the main case study will be the same as is in your abstract (namely, font style, size, headings, text).  The main case study must not exceed 10,000 words. The probable time line for the full paper will be October 25^th, 2011. Enjoy!

Word count: 257

Keywords:  Industrial sector, highlight, main issue, main actor

Important Disclaimer:  All authors please note that, abstracts and main case studies must have a disclaimer stating that "The author/s of this case study is/are responsible for permissions from the organization whose name is being mentioned in the OD case study”, alternatively the name must be camouflaged. Also, state that, “To the best of my/ our knowledge, my/our  case study does not contain plagiarism or any kind nor does it contain any form of self plagiarism”.

(c)  Screening process:

The screening of case studies will be done in two stages.  First, the abstract will be reviewed by four reviewers as mentioned above.  Once, the abstract is accepted, there will be a call for the full paper.  Second, the full paper will be further reviewed and comments provided by the same team of reviewers for revisions if necessary.  Following the style guide is mandatory.  The abstract and full paper will be screened to assess if the guidelines mentioned in points (a), (b) and the disclaimer are strictly followed.  Irrespective of the time duration of the OD exercise in weeks, months and years, and the complexity of the case, the length of the case study must not be more than 10000 words and less than 5000.  Short case studies that lack OD content as mentioned in the guidelines will not received high reviews, neither will cases longer than 10000 words.   Plagiarism and self plagiarism of any kind must be avoided. For any queries/clarifications please write to marymathew24@gmail.com

We look forward to your submissions !!!

***