"Productive Workplaces" by Marvin R. Weisbord

This is a classic text on the evolution or organization development and, in Weisbord’s words, “organizing and managing for dignity, meaning and community.” Those familiar with Weisbord’s style will enjoy reading his narrative of the individuals and events that led up to the field of organization development as we now know it. In Part One, Weisbord takes the reader through the history of Frederick Taylor, Lewin, McGregor, Trist, Emery and others who contributed to the evolution of the productive workplaces in which many of us are now fortunate enough to dwell. In Part Two, Weisbord translates theory into practice as he describes methods by which the workplace might be transformed. Finally, in Part Three, Weisbord encourages the reader to explore new and evolving theories, thereby continuing the growth and evolution of the field of organization development. "Productive Workplaces" is a classic that should not be missed by anyone even slightly interested in the field of organization development or workplace effectiveness. I am currently using this book to teach and find it to be invaluable.