IOA Publishes Long-Awaited Ombuds Book

The International Ombuds Association has published its first book: The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals & The Future. Written by practicing Ombuds, the book offers a thorough and current overview of the profession. Edited by Shannon L. Burton (Ombuds at Michigan State University) and Loraleigh Keashly (Professor of Communication at Wayne State University), the book is a comprehensive compilation of the interdisciplinary and nuanced history, theory and practices found within the field.

More details from IOA:

Organizational Ombuds first appeared in North America in the 1960s as an offshoot of classical ombuds practices rooted in Northern Europe. While there have been many publications that address organizational ombuds practice in the form of articles and journals, as well as publications that serve as legal guides to practice (Howard, 2010), there has yet to be a comprehensive handbook that addresses the interdisciplinary and nuanced history, theory and practices found within the field.

This book provides a holistic look at the work of organizational ombuds, including its historical roots, theoretical approaches in the field, sectors in which it is practiced, its organization and delivery, as well as the future of the field. Those outside of organizational ombuds often relegate it to an alternative dispute resolution function.

However, it is, in fact, a much more diverse practice that stretches organizational structures, communications, human development, systemic problems, and concerns, as well as conflict resolution. To comprehend the whole of organizational ombuds practice, both researchers and practitioners must have a solid footing as to what constitutes the field. This book hopes to provide just that.

The contents include:

Foreword: Organizational Ombuds, a Nascent and Unique Profession, Mary Rowe

Acknowledgments

Introduction, Shannon Lynn Burton and Loraleigh Keashly

Part 1: Foundations

• History of Organizational Ombuds Practice, Shannon Lynn Burton and Ryan T. Smith
• Ombuds and Theory, Mary Bliss Conger, Bina Patel, and Jacqueline Villafañe
• Demonstrating Value Through Effectiveness, Hector Escalante Meza
• Ethical Ombudsing: Principled Parameters for Ombuds Decision Making, Linda M. Brothers
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Ombuds Space, D. A. Graham, Brent Epperson, Heather McGhee Peggs, and Julie Boncompain
• Legal Issues for Organizational Ombuds Practice, Caroline Adams

Part 2: Ombuds Practice in the Sectors

• The Academic Sector, David G. Schwartz, Anna-Katharina Rothwangl, and Jorge A. Ribeiro Pereira
• Governmental Ombuds, Emma Phan and Paul Sotoudeh
• The Corporate Sector, Kira Nurieli and Ellen Reardon
• International, Multilateral, Global, or Cross Organizational: Ombuds Work That Crosses Boundaries, Shannon Lynn Burton
• Emerging Sectors in Ombuds Practice, Natalie C. Fleury and Thomas A. Kosakowski

Part 3: Organization and Delivery

• Mission, Goals, and Objectives, Don Greenstein and Chinyere Ukabiala
• Models of Ombuds Practice, Jennifer Mahony
• Organizational Engagement and Relationships, Donna Buehler and Elizabeth Hill
• One-to-One Practices in Organizational Ombuds Work, Julia L. Farmer
• Group Facilitation in Organizational Ombuds Practice, Teresa Ralicki and Lisa Neale
• Systemic Feedback in Organizational Ombuds Practice, Mary Bliss Conger
• Ombudsing Virtually, Jared James Keli’ikuikahi Lee and Julie Muroff
• Data Management, Analysis, and Trend Tracking, Brett Harris
• Model Programs in Organizational Ombuds Training, Esther Eunjin Lin

Part 4: The Future of Organizational Ombuds Practice

• Current Issues in Organizational Ombuds Research, Shereen G. Bingham, Shannon Lynn Burton, and Tyler Smith
• Meeting the Needs of Tomorrow’s Organizational Ombuds’ Visitors, Darlene Moorman
• Anticipating Changes in Organizational Ombuds Practice, Elisa Ortega-Schultz

Conclusion, Shannon Lynn Burton and Loraleigh Keashly

By creating a book publishing arm, IOA signaled its intent to publish additional books in the future. The book will be available for order beginning May 1, 2025. (IOA Publishing.)

Related posts: ABA Publishes First Book About Organizational Ombuds; IOA Announces Research Agenda for Ombuds Profession; IOA Launches Awards for Ombuds Research; IOA to Fund New Ombuds Research; IOA Seeks Authors for First Book.