Journal of Management Inquiry

This article describes the role of stage models in organizational research. In various sections of the article, we discuss the definition of stage models, different varieties of stage models, the way that stage models will characterize strategic change, and finally, the criteria that authors, reviewers, and readers ought to apply to stage models. On the whole, the authors conclude that stage models represent an alluring yet fragile form of explanation. The authors think that the limitations of stage models usually outweigh their potential benefits in explaining transformational change.

The growth of international business calls for the development of universal ethical standards. Corporate and national cultures embody differing codes of conduct. Serious ethical lapses have damaged organizations and societies. Various international groups of business leaders are developing voluntary ethical standards. Citizen activism may be needed to ensure implementation and compliance with such standards.