Abstract
M.Comm.
Change is inevitable in today’s world. Multinational companies are constantly being
forced to adapt in order to survive. When companies are not able to adjust to the
changing environment they run the risk of becoming obsolete. When General Motors
(GM) returned to South Africa and bought back Delta Motors Corporation (DMC) in
2004, dealers were faced with new procedures, policies and management styles.
This study aimed to establish how GM dealers viewed change, by exploring their
views on the Delta Motors takeover in 2004. Five dealerships participated in the
study and 15 employees were interviewed. The results were analysed through
content analysis. Recommendations are made with regard to addressing the change
process and the difficulties that accompany it.
The study reinforces the importance of communication, planning and employee
development in a change process. By encouraging involvement, people own the
change process and do not feel that change is being forced upon them. Although
change is critical, research shows that it is a complex process that needs to be
planned thoroughly. This research includes lessons learned from the change process
that GM went through when it took over from DMC.