Values, Assumptions and Beliefs

_{A set of values, assumptions and beliefs constitutes an integral part of organizational development. They are the three pillars on which the whole field of Organizational Development is standing. Thus identifying and developing the goals and methods for organizational effectiveness help in distinguishing Organizational Development from other improvement strategies. A belief is a proposition about how the world works that the individual accepts as true; it is a cognitive fact for the person. Values are also beliefs and are defined as: “Beliefs about what is desirable or ‘good’ (e.g. free speech) and what is an undesirable or a ‘bad’ (e.g. dishonesty).” Assumptions are beliefs that are regarded as so valuable and obviously correct that they are taken for granted and rarely examined or questioned.}

_{OD values are humanistic, optimistic and democratic by nature. Humanistic values main focus is on the importance of the individual: it focuses on respecting the whole person instead of dividing him/her into compartments as done till now by the management, stresses on treating people with respect and dignity, is built on the fundamental that everyone has intrinsic worth, and views all people as having the probability for growth and development if provided the right environment and opportunities in the organization. Optimistic values stresses that people are basically good by nature who believe in personal growth thus progress is possible and desirable in human affairs and that rationality; reason and goodwill are the tools for making progress. Basically it believes in Theory Y of Motivation. Democratic values asserts that the integrity of the individual, the right of people to be free from submission and arbitrary misuse of power by them and their bosses, the importance of fair and equitable treatment internally and externally for all and the need for justice through the rule of proper grievance handling machinery, employee empowerment, sound industrial relations.}