Building Organisational Readiness for Change - Leadership Implications

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how organisations can build readiness for change, and whether the practise of leadership affects this process in any way. Different factors affecting organisational readiness for change are therefore evaluated and discussed. The research question for this study is to investigate how organisations can build readiness for change and how leadership practise can affect this process.

This study has an overall focus on developing leadership rather than developing single formal leaders, to further increase the level of readiness for change. As a first step to answering the research question, it was undertaken a critical review of relevant literature considering leadership implications and readiness for change. Further, it was justified and outlined what type of methodology that was used, which included a survey measuring organisational readiness for change. The survey was distributed in collaboration with a partnering organisation to give a realistic input. Through critically reviewing literature and conducting data collection, the primary and secondary findings was discussed and analysed. As a result, the research findings gave an indication to whether the partnering organisation is ready for change or not, and if leadership practise is important.

The research findings indicated several factors affecting the readiness for change, including how leadership is practised. A high level of leadership practise is sufficient for building readiness for change. As a total evaluation of the research question, some recommendations were made for further research and practitioners to add value to the study. The recommendations involved concrete advice to how one can increase organisational readiness for change.