Developing capacity for change

In this conceptual paper we examine how organizations can develop capacity for change, which we define as the allocation and development of change and operational capabilities that sustains long term performance. Making change happen without destroying well-functioning aspects in an organization and harming subsequent changes requires both capabilities to change in the short and long term and capabilities to maintain daily operations. The change literature includes a number of process prescriptions on how change can be mobilized such as, framing, participation, pacing, and sequencing, routinizing change, and recruiting. We examine how these process prescriptions contribute in developing an organization's (1) capabilities to change, (2) capabilities to maintain daily operations and (3) capabilities to implement subsequent change processes. While participation, pacing and sequencing are likely to have adverse effects on daily operations, routinizing change and recruiting personnel are likely to have positive effects on subsequent change processes.