Change management practices influencing performance at Kenya Bureau of Standards

Abstract

The world around us is constantly moving forward and getting new dimensions. Introducing change is necessary, although not solely enough, for ensuring success in the future. Change is necessary for an organization to focus on repositioning, renewal, reorganizing and a systematic development. The objective of the study was to establish the effects of change management practices on performance of Kenya bureau of standards. The specific objectives were to establish the practices deployed in management of change by KEBS and to establish the relationship between change management practices and performance in KEBS. The study utilized a case study design which allowed the researcher to collect in-depth information, more depth than in cross-sectional studies with the intention of understanding situations or phenomenon. It also helped to reveal the multiplicity of factors, which have interacted to produce the unique character of the entity that is subject of study. The study utilized primary data, which will be collected using an interview guide. The data collected was qualitative and was analyzed using content analysis technique. Content analysis is the systematic qualitative description of the composition of the objects or materials of the study. The study found that reasons why the organization needed to change strategically included competition from other firms, desire for growth, need for improvement in its production process and also due to government regulations. The study further established that intensified research on best practices in managing strategic change at Kenya Bureau of Standards was conducted. The research was usually conducted by the staff, employee themselves, website review, consultants among others. The study concluded that communication is paramount when trying to raise the level of understanding of the strategic change management process. Communication makes it possible for everybody in the organization including the management staff, the employees among others to know their role in the strategic management process. It also concluded that strategic change has influenced the organization performance in positive ways such that it has made the firm to be more competitive that before, it has increased the productivity of the firm which has improved the market share thus increasing the profits. The study recommended that senior management to clearly communicate the vision, mission and objectives of the change management effort to help the employees understand how those changes will affect them personally. Delegation of certain aspects of the change program should clearly explain limits of the responsibilities.