Change management at lake basin development authority, Kenya

Abstract

The complex dynamic and competitive nature of business requires that organizations cannot remain stable so long as constant change external to organizations requires constant change within. Change management assists an organization align with the changes in a more effective manner. The theories that are anchored in this study are organization development theory, open systems theory and complexity theory which bring out the relationship between an organization and its environment. LBDA has undertaken various changes to its strategic direction, internal processes, leadership, outsourcing of services, innovation, organizational structures, and performance management. It is against this background that the study sought to inquire the change management practices adopted by the organization in the implementation of its change initiatives and to determine the challenges faced by the organization in managing change. The study was conducted through a case study and data was collected using interview schedules while secondary data was derived from strategic plans, internal newsletters and performance contracts. The major findings of the study were that LBDA had adopted various practices in its management of change such as, instilling in the organization and individual a commitment to change by constructing a new vision, mission and core values, enhanced customer and service delivery, aligning the infrastructure and goals with organizational strategy, planning for continuous improvement, people development and succession planning. However, the obstacles faced were, resistance to change, inadequate funding, communication, political interferences, culture, rapidly changing environment, government and legal challenges. For this purpose, the study recommended that LBDA should undertake an organizational diagnosis on the culture, organizational and individual readiness for change, involve all stakeholders in all phases of the change process, select a guiding team to spearhead all change projects and documentation of the change process to assist the organization use the information to improve future change processes. A similar study can be carried out in the same organization to investigate the effect of change management on performance or to establish the involvement of employees and other stakeholders in the change process.