The Iceberg Model of Change: A taxonomy differentiating approaches to change
Change is a ubiquitous phenomenon, but different scientific communities conceptualize change differently, which hampers conceptual clarity. This conceptual paper, which is based on a review of the literature on change, addresses this problem by developing the ‘Iceberg Model of Change’. This framewor...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025003329 |
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| author | Christian A. Mahringer Laura Schmiedle Lisa Albicker Simone Mayer |
| author_facet | Christian A. Mahringer Laura Schmiedle Lisa Albicker Simone Mayer |
| author_sort | Christian A. Mahringer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Change is a ubiquitous phenomenon, but different scientific communities conceptualize change differently, which hampers conceptual clarity. This conceptual paper, which is based on a review of the literature on change, addresses this problem by developing the ‘Iceberg Model of Change’. This framework distinguishes three approaches to change: objectification, distinction, and unfolding. The objectification approach treats processes of change as things with symbolic properties, which can be used to steer societal and political discourse, reveal thematic relationships across studies, and emphasize the significance of work. This approach also tends to consider change as a variable (dependent or independent) that can be used to understand antecedents and consequences. The distinction approach conceptualizes change as a series of discrete states of an entity or system at multiple points in time or as phases, enabling comparison of those states. The unfolding approach considers how change processes develop, including the complex, interrelated mechanisms underpinning change. Here, line graphs, visualizations of interaction mechanisms, and trajectories are used to capture change. This framework contributes to research, a) by enabling a comprehensive consideration of change phenomena, b) by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration when project partners differ in their assumptions about change, and c) by emphasizing the need for methodological reflexivity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5660dcefc7644ee09e28fd262934d91b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj-art-5660dcefc7644ee09e28fd262934d91b2025-02-02T05:28:38ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-01-01112e41952The Iceberg Model of Change: A taxonomy differentiating approaches to changeChristian A. Mahringer0Laura Schmiedle1Lisa Albicker2Simone Mayer3Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, WIN Kolleg, Germany; University of Stuttgart School of Management, Germany; Corresponding author. Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, WIN Kolleg, Germany.Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, WIN Kolleg, Germany; University of Stuttgart School of Management, GermanyHeidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, WIN Kolleg, Germany; University of Stuttgart School of Management, GermanyHeidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, WIN Kolleg, Germany; Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Zoological Institute, Germany; Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems – Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Germany; Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, GermanyChange is a ubiquitous phenomenon, but different scientific communities conceptualize change differently, which hampers conceptual clarity. This conceptual paper, which is based on a review of the literature on change, addresses this problem by developing the ‘Iceberg Model of Change’. This framework distinguishes three approaches to change: objectification, distinction, and unfolding. The objectification approach treats processes of change as things with symbolic properties, which can be used to steer societal and political discourse, reveal thematic relationships across studies, and emphasize the significance of work. This approach also tends to consider change as a variable (dependent or independent) that can be used to understand antecedents and consequences. The distinction approach conceptualizes change as a series of discrete states of an entity or system at multiple points in time or as phases, enabling comparison of those states. The unfolding approach considers how change processes develop, including the complex, interrelated mechanisms underpinning change. Here, line graphs, visualizations of interaction mechanisms, and trajectories are used to capture change. This framework contributes to research, a) by enabling a comprehensive consideration of change phenomena, b) by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration when project partners differ in their assumptions about change, and c) by emphasizing the need for methodological reflexivity.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025003329Climate changeDevelopmentGrand challengesInterdisciplinarityOrganizational changePhase change |
| spellingShingle | Christian A. Mahringer Laura Schmiedle Lisa Albicker Simone Mayer The Iceberg Model of Change: A taxonomy differentiating approaches to change Heliyon Climate change Development Grand challenges Interdisciplinarity Organizational change Phase change |
| title | The Iceberg Model of Change: A taxonomy differentiating approaches to change |
| title_full | The Iceberg Model of Change: A taxonomy differentiating approaches to change |
| title_fullStr | The Iceberg Model of Change: A taxonomy differentiating approaches to change |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Iceberg Model of Change: A taxonomy differentiating approaches to change |
| title_short | The Iceberg Model of Change: A taxonomy differentiating approaches to change |
| title_sort | iceberg model of change a taxonomy differentiating approaches to change |
| topic | Climate change Development Grand challenges Interdisciplinarity Organizational change Phase change |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025003329 |
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