The effect of organisation and management changes on employees : a case study

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to assess the causes leading to organisational change and why it occurs. The aim is to identify barriers caused by change and to determine the impact of organisational change, especially in relation to managerial change, on employees in a Maltese Financial Institution. The study intends to compare the outcome of this research along with the theories of organisational change and other foreign research. DESIGN: The data collection was done using a phenomenological approach employing both quantitative techniques in the form of online survey questionnaire distributed to employees, and qualitative data done in the form of semi-structured interviews using the convenience sampling method to obtain the view of the managers. FINDINGS: The study had given insight of how organisational change is viewed from two different angles- that of the employees and their perceptions in contrast with the view of the managers and the effect organisational change has on them. A highly emphasized key aspect that differentiates both groups relies in communication and how it is distributed. Although both employees and managers perceive change as a positive challenge, findings outline emotional state is still affected in different ways. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the theories are not always applicable in practice. From the analyses conducted, there were several agreements with certain theories yet, they do not take into consideration the employee’s emotional feelings. Communication was also emphasized to be a common issue the company is facing. Nonetheless, the firm’s personality is based on Action-Orientalists, whereby change is welcomed as long as information is provided. IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The findings and conclusion can be helped understand the implications encountered while identify any further research required within this studying such as analyzing in depth the engagement level once change is implemented successfully and the cost effectiveness of organisational change in relation to the employee engagement.