The NTL Handbook of Organization Development and Change: Principles, Practices, and Perspectives, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEBORDERS AND BOUNDARIESCross-Cultural Perspectives for OD Practitioners

Seán Gaffney

This chapter explores some core constructs in cross-cultural studies, both well known and lesser known, and applies them to the work of international organization development (OD) practitioners. The implications of national culture, individual identity, and boundaries for cross-cultural work of OD practitioners are examined. The chapter begins with a minicase study to set the scene and exemplify the work. The minicase is adapted from my experiences as an international OD practitioner and is intended to highlight some of the issues involved in cross-cultural OD work, as well as possible resolutions. Throughout the chapter are references, ...