opus - an organisation for promoting understanding of society
It was founded by Sir Charles Goodeve in 1975 with the object of promoting
understanding of society and of organisations within society. He believed that,
if we were better able to understand the processes operating in industry and
society – particularly those causing conflict – then our decisions could become
more rational, we would become more effective managers of ourselves and others
and we would be able to act with greater authority and responsibility as
citizens. In establishing OPUS as a non-political organisation with charitable
status, Sir Charles was supported and encouraged by The Tavistock Institute and
the Industrial Society. Its study and promotion of a better understanding of
society – how it works and how the individual relates to it – was recognised as
a distinctive field that was not addressed by other bodies. OPUS aims to develop
a deeper understanding of conscious and unconscious organisational and social
dynamics; and to promote reflective citizenship – using this understanding to
act authoritatively and responsibly as members of society and organisations
within society. OPUS pursues this aim through a combination of education and
training, academic research and publication and organisational consultancy and
coaching, and by external communication of our findings to a wider audience.
OPUS also maintains links with organisations both nationally and internationally
with similar aims.
