The Asia OD Network (AODN) was formed in 2006 by a group of OD scholars and practitioners based in Asia and the US, is a not-for-profit organization, officially registered in the US and in India in May and June respectively.
Introduction to the Asia Organisation Development Network (AODN)
In a period characterized by rapid technological advancements, economic changes, and complex global challenges, organizations across Asia are navigating an unprecedented landscape of transformation. The demand for practical, sustainable, and culturally sensitive strategies for organizational development (OD) has never been more urgent. Leading this transformative effort is the Asia Organization Development Network (AODN), registered in Illinois in 2006, a leading professional community dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of OD within the Asian context. Founded on the belief that organizations are the core units of societal progress, AODN serves as an essential hub for practitioners, leaders, scholars, and consultants committed to fostering healthy, adaptable, and effective organizations throughout the region.
In a period characterized by rapid technological advancements, economic changes, and complex global challenges, organizations across Asia are navigating an unprecedented landscape of transformation. The demand for practical, sustainable, and culturally sensitive strategies for organizational development (OD) has never been more urgent. Leading this transformative effort is the Asia Organization Development Network (AODN), registered in Illinois in 2006, a leading professional community dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of OD within the Asian context. Founded on the belief that organizations are the core units of societal progress, AODN serves as an essential hub for practitioners, leaders, scholars, and consultants committed to fostering healthy, adaptable, and effective organizations throughout the region.
The value proposition for AODN members is rich and diverse. The network promotes professional growth through a variety of offerings, including annual conferences, regional workshops, and thematic forums that feature well-known thought leaders and experienced practitioners. Its digital presence and publications give access to a vast array of resources, from case studies and research papers to toolkits designed for immediate use. Perhaps most importantly, AODN encourages strong peer-to-peer networking opportunities. It connects isolated practitioners and internal change agents, enabling them to build supportive relationships, find mentors, form consulting partnerships, and gain insights from others facing similar challenges. This collaborative environment turns individual knowledge into a collective intelligence that benefits the entire community.
Ultimately, the Asia Organization Development Network is more than just an association; it is a movement. It advocates for the power of OD to enhance organizational health, which in turn supports economic growth and societal well-being across Asia. By strengthening the capacity of change agents and leaders, AODN plays a crucial role in shaping resilient, adaptable, and human-centered organizations with a social-technical focus that are prepared to succeed in the 21st century. For anyone passionate about driving positive and meaningful change in Asia, AODN provides the community with knowledge and inspiration to create a lasting impact.
History of AODN
Once upon a time, at a break from the board meeting at the HRD/OD Pareek Labs, Dr Pareek suggested to Roland that we start an OD network for India.
It has always been Udai’s dream to bring OD to Asia. Unfortunately, he had to start with HR and HRD because that’s what the clients would buy
The craft or field of OD clearly stems from the genius lineage of Kurt Lewin.
We are the first authentic change agents.
Dr. Pareek was the first Asian “Fellow” in the Lewin lineage from national training laboratories.
photo 1: Dr. Udai Pareek at the first AODN Summit in India at Infosys
OUR HISTORY
We may say that for 40 years the person most responsible for bringing organization development internationally was Dr. Peter Sorensen ,OD Guru, from George Williams then Benedictine University.
Roland was in the first class that the young Dr. Peterson ever taught. The textbook we used was “ The Human Side of the Enterprise “ by Douglas McGregor. Dr. Sorensen who is his mid 90s is still very active in helping PhD students become great. He still supports our Asia network.
McGregor, Beckhard coined the phrase organization development in Minneapolis at General Mills while at the same time Herb Shepard named what he was doing at Esso in the East Coast of the US.
Ric Abadesco, the current president of AODN brought the notion of a functional OD program from Esso, (Exxon mobile) to San Miguel in Manila.
One of Sorensen’s most prolific Asian students is Dr. Lee Lu. In the 80’s Lee and Roland met casually in Chinatown in Chicago where they had a conversation around how to bring OD in Asia alive
Roland first attempted to start the effort in Manila with the local AI Community.
At the time Roland was a founding member of Cooperidder’s Appreciative Inquiry Consulting, Inc.
The attempt failed. Then Mubeena Mohammed from Pune and Dubai helped Roland, Udai, Charlie Seashore and Rothwell initiate the first conference in Dubai
In the meantime, Dr. Himank , A doctoral student at Tata and close friend of Udai Pareek suggested in Roland’s boat in Minnesota that we expand the network canvas to all of Asia
Shortly there after,out of the blue Dr. Udai received a call from Dr. Mohanakrishnan from Mysore saying his students wanted to hold the next conference.
Udai sent Roland & Dr Mohanakrishnan to visit Dr. Himank at his office in Infosys. The highly successful second conference was planned. Keynotes from Harvard the University of Southern California and Silicon Valley provided electric conversation.
We then had a conference in China under Dr. Lee Lu‘s leadership with the strong financial support from Dr. Sorensen at Benedictine.
Another hiatus occurred.
Because we were all so busy we thought Udai’s dream went kaput, until Michelle Tapia from the Philippines and Pepperdine picked up the ball and saved us by planning another money making highly successful conference at Ateneo in Manila
From there we went on to conferences in Singapore, Thailand and again India, China (600 present for the keynote) and Japan.
Another hiatus.
Post Japan our board lost interest and disbanded. Nothing could be seen on the horizon until one day out of the blue Lee Lu calls Roland and says I’m ready to have another AODD Summit in China. And we did.
Dr. Ed Schein keynoted the China conference. His spontaneous intervention in the here and no. transformed the network. He had a heart to heart talk with the seven CEOs in the plenary. He then suggested that we have set aside our set agenda and break the conference where the CEO’s could talk about his or her needs and wants in breakout groups. The sessions were so intense that you could hear a pin drop. Such process consultation was so successful that we now have secured the rock of Gibraltar for our future.
Photo 3: Entire Summit 2016 in China.
From there we went on to Indonesia where we continued to have an engaging and interactive summit.
Photo 4: Staging day with design team from around the world, volunteers and local talent in preparation for the Indonesia 2017 Summit
Photo 6: Current President, Ric Adbesco, Roland Sullivan, Ed Schein’s colleague ( name unknown), Past President Irham Dilmy.
In 2018 we return to the Philippines in the thriving OD City of Cebu.
Ric Abadesco, Dr. Perla Rizalina Tayko, Dr. Bo-Peep, and Dr. Gina Hechanaova Regina are providing terrific leader ship.
Therefore, come to the Philippines and let’s begin to create the new paradigm of OD for the world.
In 2018 we return to the Philippines in the thriving OD City of Cebu.
Ric Abadesco, Dr. Perla Rizalina Tayko, Dr. Bo-Peep, and Dr. Gina Hechanaova Regina are providing terrific leader ship.
Therefore, come to the Philippines and let’s begin to create the new paradigm of OD for the world.
We now have yearly conferences in India, China and Indonesia
When Peter Block key noted the most recent Summit he told us that the Western theory and practice of OD is no longer relevant. Instead he is challenging the region of Asia to come up with the new global framework of theory and practice!
He says that the Western egocentric (I,I,I) focus on “what is in it for me” is no longer relevant to the fast changing world of exponential change. He believes that the Asian way of life where “ we, we, we,” along with a focus on relationships, the family and social justice is paramount. He says we need to create the new theory and practice out of the values of the East as we keep fundamental philosophies from the West.
AODN IN NUMBERS
Our Mission
Our Goals
VIEW OUR EVENTS
During years we organized several successfull summits, see the details of these events.