About The Center

Method

The Center for the Study of Organizational Change employs a four-phase change method, which offers a comprehensive and systemic approach to change rooted in an organizational assessment and diagnosis. This assessment produces the organizational story representing the participants’ collective perceptions and experiences. The method was developed by founder and director Michael A. Diamond, Ph.D. For more details about the CSOC method, view the PDF.

A Brief History

Established and directed since 1996 by Dr. Michael Diamond, CSOC's primary aims are to contribute to the scholarship and practice of organizational consultation and change. CSOC relies on psychodynamically-oriented action research to integrate organizational research, education and consultation efforts. This form of field research entails immersion into and analysis of a wide range of institutions and organizations, with particular emphasis on change processes and dynamics.

Based on the contributions of systems theory, contemporary psychoanalysis, theories of organizational learning and group relations, Diamond and his associates have developed a dynamic methodology for assessing, analyzing and transforming organizations. CSOC associates spend considerable time in large group systems, providing consultative services, which in turn inform their theoretical understanding of organizational cultures. CSOC associates also use their field experiences, observations and findings to develop the next generation of leaders, change agents and consultants.

Mission

The Center for the Study of Organizational Change (CSOC), an interdisciplinary research center established in 1997, was formed to help students, businesses, non-profit organizations, healthcare and government agencies rise to the challenge of changing environments.  CSOC champions an innovative curriculum and provides practical assistance to companies, public and non-profit organizations in executive and management development, basic and applied research, change management and organizational consultation. CSOC believes in the advancement of knowledge through research, education, and consultation about organizational change.

Vision

CSOC aspires to be the nationally and internationally recognized home for cutting-edge, multi-sector and interdisciplinary organizational change research, theory, and practice. Toward this end, CSOC associates do the following.

Goals

  • Conduct and facilitate research focused on the discovery, integration, application and dissemination of knowledge on organizational diagnosis and change.
  • Provide students, faculty and professional practitioners with knowledge and skills that will enable them to effective anticipate, create, and lead organizational change in a multi-sector society.
  • Share knowledge and assist organizations through consultation in understanding, creating and leading change.

Outcomes

  • Government agencies, businesses, health care organizations and nonprofits will receive assistance related to various aspects of managing change, including environmental monitoring, organizational diagnosis, strategic planning, and conflict resolution.
  • Students will gain knowledge and skills in an enhanced learning environment as they prepare to become professionals, managers, and consultants in an increasingly dynamic environment.
  • Employers will be able to hire graduating students with ample knowledge and skills related to organizational change.
  • Scholars and practitioners will benefit from the field research that is generated and published by CSOC associates.
  • Faculty will have greater opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary research focused on a topic of tremendous and growing significance: organizational change.