“By sparking regenerative, systemic ways of organizing, we can help organizations thrive on a thriving planet. That is exactly what we need—and precisely what this book delivers.” — Sandra Waddock, Carroll School of Management, Boston College

“We all want to do better. We all must do better. Yet we continue to stand still. This book offers a valuable framework for reorganizing our efforts, ultimately enabling us to perform at a higher level.” — Michael L. Barnett, Rutgers Business School

★ A brand-new work by Dr. Mark Thompson, a global expert on organizational change, Senior Research Fellow at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Academic Director of the Executive Master’s in Change Leadership at the Oxford–Paris Institute of Higher Education, and editor of the Oxford Handbook of Meaningful Work!
★ Jointly recommended by professors from Boston College and Rutgers Business School, who describe it as a practical framework for “igniting regenerative organizational models” and “restructuring efforts to do better.”
★ Introducing the “Oxford Spark Mindset” (a global perspective combined with a sustainability core), this approach tackles pressing global crises—climate change, social equity, and the erosion of trust—by moving beyond conventional management paradigms. It redefines the framework for organizational change, offering a actionable, systemic framework and transformative pathways to address societal, political, and environmental challenges.
★ Grounded in real-world case studies and cutting-edge research, it confronts the dilemmas of organizational transformation head-on, explores solutions, and provides clear guidance for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the public sector—contributing to human well‑being and a sustainable future for our planet.

This book introduces a new paradigm for organizational development centered on sustainable development.
As the world today confronts increasingly severe social, political, and environmental challenges, our existing organizations are no longer able to serve us effectively. This work offers a fresh framework for rethinking organizations, grounded in four generative forces—purpose setting, democratization, collaboration, and sharing—and underpinned by a global perspective. Drawing on real-world cases and cutting-edge research, it examines how these forces can catalyze innovative organizational models. Focusing on overcoming obstacles and driving transformation, the book makes a compelling case for reimagining organizations to build a future that benefits both humanity and the planet.

Mark Thompson
Dr. Mark Thompson is a Senior Research Fellow in Strategy and Organization at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and a global expert on organizational change. He also serves as the Academic Director of the Executive Master’s Program in Change Leadership at Oxford‑HEC, a program that applies social science concepts to help change leaders tackle complex organizational and systemic challenges. Additionally, he is a member of the Governing Body and the Fellows’ Committee at Green Templeton College, University of Oxford.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) from Trinity College Dublin, a Master of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics, and a Doctor of Science degree from Aalto University. Prior to joining the University of Oxford, he taught at the University of Sussex and the London School of Economics.
His research focuses on workplace transformation, high‑performance work systems, performance‑based pay, meaningful work, and strategic renewal and innovation. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Elwood F. Holton III Award for Research Excellence. The chapter he co‑authored, “Labification of Change: What Are Labs and Change Today?,” published in Volume 29 of Research in Organizational Change and Development, was awarded the Emerald Literati Network Award for Outstanding Academic Impact.
He has also co‑edited The Oxford Handbook of Meaningful Work (Oxford University Press) and authored a book on public values and urban leadership.
Furthermore, he hosts a podcast series on organizational change, “The Change Podcast,” which is updated irregularly.

1. Introduction and an Overview of This Book
2. Sparking Change Through a Global Perspective
3. How Tensions, Contradictions, and Paradoxes Drive Transformation
4. Intentionality
5. Purpose
6. Democratization
7. Collaboration
8. Sharing
9. The Spark: Planetary Imagination
10. The Spark: Spaces for Experimentation
11. Conclusion