The `Action Training and Research' method of organizational development, pioneered by Neely Gardner in the 1960's, has become a classic methodology in public administration. The authors have presented the power of Gardner's work in the form of a training manual that takes account of modern practice and scholarly thought.

Changing Organizations addresses key current concerns including: how to change hierarchically structured public organizations whose management is rigidly vested in the status quo, the changeover to participative management, and the devolution of management power in the organization to promote innovation, adaptation to customers' changing needs, efficiency as well as clear-headed and practical decision making.