Looking forwards: Discursive directions in organizational change

Purpose - This paper aims to review the discursive formation of organizational change and to consider the possible directions that change management initiatives may take in the future. Design/methodology/approach - This closing piece identifies a traditional change discourse and an emerging change discourse. This is achieved through a review of the extant literature and the contributions to the special issue. Findings - The paper highlights a shift of emphases in organizational change due to environmental imperatives. In particular, it reveals a move from problem-centred, discrete interventions to a focus on continuous improvements. It also draws attention to the emerging significance of discourse-based approaches concerned with image, identity, organizational learning and knowledge management. Originality/value - Provides a framework for classifying different forms of organizational change activity and posits directions for future development.