When No Change Is Needed: Evidence Thresholds for Organisational Intervention

This conceptual research paper develops an antecedent evidence framework for organisational intervention. Rather than asking primarily how organisations should change, it asks what evidence establishes that intervention is required in the first place. The framework distinguishes purpose authority, current adequacy, prospective risk and evidence quality. It separates evidence that intervention is needed from evidence that a particular solution is appropriate, and classifies the evidentiary position as Green, Amber or Red. “Purpose-sufficient continuity” describes the Green condition in which an organisational activity continues to fulfil its authoritative purpose, adequacy is affirmatively evidenced and no credible material current or prospective trigger makes continuity unreasonable. The paper situates the framework against established research on satisficing, problemistic search, organisational routines, strategic persistence, institutional theory, management fashion, reform, evidence-based management, managerial cognition, excessive change and strategic fit. It concludes with seven falsifiable propositions and possible empirical designs. Peer review status: The full manuscript underwent peer review prior to publication. Comments and corrections arising from the review were incorporated into the final manuscript.