Adaptive Change Definition

In organizational development, adaptive change is defined as ‘a permanent change in an organization’s strategy, structure, or processes in response to an environment that has changed permanently’. The goal of adaptive change is to help the organization survive and prosper in the new environment.

When an organization faces a major change in its external environment, it must adapt or risk being unable to compete. For example, when a new technology emerges that makes current products and services obsolete, companies must adapt by adopting the new technology or developing new products and services. When a company’s target market shifts due to changes in consumer behavior, the company must adapt by changing its marketing strategy.

Adaptive changes are usually larger and more complex than other types of organizational change because they involve changes to an organization’s core strategy or business model. Therefore, adaptive changes can be difficult and costly to implement. However, if an organization does not adapt to its changing environment, it will likely become increasingly less competitive and eventually fail.