Factors affecting change management in youth polytechnics in Kilifi county

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the process of change management in the youth polytechnics in Kilifi County in order to identify the factors affecting it either negatively or positively. The study used the ADKAR model of change management to examine whether the change players followed the five scientific change management steps and principles as described in the literature review, and find out the level of success and the gaps in each step, that needed to be filled and come up with possible solutions to fill the gaps. The objectives of the study were to measure the participants’ level of awareness of the change, level of desire to support the change, level of knowledge or skills needed in the change, their ability to apply the knowledge to the change and finally determine the extent of the change sustainability in the youth polytechnics in Kilifi County. Both primary and secondary data were used in the research and descriptive research design was used to investigate the current status in the change management. A sample of 84 respondents was obtained from seven selected youth polytechnics using cluster, quota, stratified and purposive sampling methods. Self dministered closed ended questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods through the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program using descriptive statistics tools. The findings of the study revealed that the participants had a low level of awareness of the change, low level of desire to support change, low level of skills and there was under utilization of the skills due to unavailability of adequate tools, equipment and infrastructure. Finally there was weak sustainability of the change due to lack of motivation by the participants in the change. The study concluded that the change sponsor followed the five steps of change management, and made significant achievements, but there were gaps in the implementation process that need to be filled to address the issues that arose from the research findings to ensure effective change and realize the change’s ultimate goal of transforming YPs into centers of excellence.