This research originally derived from the psychologist Clare W. Graves, and has been spearheaded by two students, Dr. Don Beck and Chris Cowan. Canada's Macleans magazine labelled this "the theory that explains everything" in a 1970s article. The best source for this meta-model, while not a "quick" read (which the authors admit), is Beck and Cowan's book Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership and Change (Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1996). This book featured a lengthy topical bibliography for further research. You can read Chapter 1 in English and also in Spanish, and also browse a Adobe Acrobat PDF Index that was omitted from the original printing.

There are several other Gravesian interpretations around, notably by Jenny Wade and an introductory overview that discusses more "real-world" applications within Ken Wilber's "Wilber-4" model (I always advise people to utilize Beck and Cowan's book first, to appreciate SD's full scope). A mini-course was recently posted in Adobe Acrobat PDF, by Chris Cowan and Natasha Todorovic, his colleague.

Spiral Dynamics® has also been featured at the World Future Society conclave, and has been successfully applied within Fortune 500 companies, to resolve geopolitical crises (such as South Africa's transition to a post-apartheid society), sporting teams, and to revitalize local communities.

Check out an expanded bibliography that I've just made public. The italicized text refers to academic and university-level journals that you'll find online and in a good research library.