title: Permanent tensions in organization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between permanent tensions and organizational change.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used paradox theory and a case study. The case organization is a public university hospital in Finland involving several stakeholders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis suggests that the relationship between permanent tensions and organizational change is a paradox that is part of organizational reality. As an organization learns to live with its permanent tensions, the renewal paradox settles into equilibrium. When tensions are provoked, the paradox is disturbed until it finds a new balance. This flexible nature of the paradox is the force that keeps the different stakeholders simultaneously empowered to maintain their unique missions and cohesive in order to benefit from the larger synergy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research suggests that identification and evaluation of each permanent tension within an organization is important when executing organizational change. The fact that certain tensions are permanent and cannot be solved may have an influence on how planned change initiatives are executed. The results show that permanent tensions may be harnessed for the benefit of an organizational change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research demonstrates originality by offering an alternative view of tensions, a view which emphasizes not only their permanent and plural nature but their importance for enabling the organization to change at its own, non-disruptive pace. The research also proposes a new concept, the "renewal paradox", to enhance understanding of the relationship between permanent tensions and organizational change.
authors.affiliation: Department of Management, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Noora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jansson
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D005387:Finland; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Change; Organizational change; Paradox; Renewal paradox; Tension