Abstract
M.Com. (Business Management)
The complexity of political, regulatory, and technological changes confronting most organisations has made radical organisational change and adaptation a central research issue. Change is inescapable in today’s business and it affects employees in any organisation. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality identified an institutional review as one of its flagship programmes which resulted in establishment of new departments and new functions. The review of the structure left employees with different view points.
The purpose of this study was to explore employees’ perceptions towards the structural change. The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with two senior managers and three middle managers, as well as focus group interviews with twenty employees below management level in different occupation categories. The data was collected through audio recording and transcription of participants’ responses during the interviews. The data was analysed through a coding system where findings were identified and recommentions were made.
This allowed the researcher to extract the intricacies involved and gather a more comprehensive overview of the process. It also permitted the researcher’s own questions and uncertainties pertaining the change process to be addressed and clarified where it would have otherwise being difficult to do so. The study was based on ascertaining the ability of the employer to use their leadership capabilities and its employees to reflect a strategic orientated entity during a transition while achieving its service delivery imperatives.
Judging from the interviews, responses depicted an inconsistent awareness of this process. This finding implied that the cascading of information was perhaps defined by a hierarchy and the suggestions of employees to seek information related to this structural change process alluded to individuals who are expressing an interest to serve as custodians of the change process. However this can only be made possible if they are aware of what is taking place and their opinions and views are considered.