Looking forwards: discursive directions in organizational change

Purpose This paper aims to review the discursive formation of organizational change and to consider the possible directions that change management initiatives may take in the future. Design/methodology/approach This closing piece identifies a traditional change discourse and an emerging change discourse. This is achieved through a review of the extant literature and the contributions to the special issue. Findings The paper highlights a shift of emphases in organizational change due to environmental imperatives. In particular, it reveals a move from problem‐centred, discrete interventions to a focus on continuous improvements. It also draws attention to the emerging significance of discourse‐based approaches concerned with image, identity, organizational learning and knowledge management. Originality/value Provides a framework for classifying different forms of organizational change activity and posits directions for future development.