Chapter 6: Creating World Class OD Through Collaboration: Blending the Roles of Internal Corporate Consulting and the University

The chapter examines the dynamics of the relationship between internal corporate organization development (OD) consultants and external consultants representing a collaborative effort between a major U.S. corporation and a major university OD program. Drawing on data pertaining to a longitudinal action research project, the initiative was in response to changes in the corporation’s external environment that mandated significant changes in the organization’s culture. The action research project included multiple interventions and an effort to measure the progress and success of the change over several years as well as collect data on the relative effectiveness of each of the interventions. This is a story of how the internal OD consulting function became increasingly strategic and global in its role within the corporation. The chapter explores the transition of the internal consulting function, from one with limited impact, to a consulting function with a major role, not only in domestic but global operations. The story is presented and discussed in terms of important events and opportunities, and the challenge of creating organizational support for such large-scale change initiatives.