Strategic Change Management Practices and Challenges of United Nations Development Programme, Somalia

Abstract

Due to the dynamic environments organizations operate in coupled with the rapid advancements in technology, changes in human resources dimensions, political systems, and increased competition that has come with the consequent globalization, organization experience change more rapidly. This necessitates the need for increased understanding of strategic change to ensure longevity and survival of the firm. This study, aimed to ascertain the strategic change management practices and challenges of UNDP Somalia. This research study implemented a case study design which was deemed appropriate because it involves a careful observation of a phenomenon thereby offering a broad understanding of the phenomenon under study. The study targeted senior management and staff across the organization who were wholly involved in strategic change management. Primary data was collected using a far-reaching interview guide and data collected was analyzed using content analysis owing to its qualitative nature. The study concluded that UNDP Somalia uses change management practices such as leadership, communication, planning, team work, stakeholder involvement and employee participation. The study concluded that the major cause of strategic change was pressure or changes in the organization’s external environment and that all the changes were management led. The study recommends the management practice of encouraging bottom up change initiatives to enable the organization benefit from innovative solutions. The study also recommends that changes based on corporate strategy be communicated exhaustively.