Innovation and/or change : the historical evolution of two sociological concepts in Western Europe

Abstract

This article discusses the concept of change, and its heuristic relevance, as an alternative to the concept of innovation. From a sociological approach, the ideological character of innovation is refused and an alternative, more neutral, concept of change is adopted. It follows with the analysis of different sociological paradigms of change in organisations, focusing in articulating those with historical conditions and different theoretical proposals. Finally, the sociological discourses on organizational change will be reflected upon.