Coping with change: The contribution of postdichotomous ontologies

This article seeks to conceptualize interactions surrounding organizational change. Four ideal types of reality(ies) are presented here using the meta phor of language. Actors' representations of experience are presented in or der to illustrate these concepts. We argue that types I and 2, which are ep itomized by dichotomous thought, are unlikely to provide adequate manageria l insight in coping with complex change, whereas types 3 and 4, which are t ypified by 'postdichotomous' thought, hold greater possibilities as framewo rks for coping with such social situations. The concept of 'coping', as opp osed to 'managing', as a way of 'acting thinkingly' in and around organizat ional change is explored.