Effect of Strategic Change Management Practices on Performance of Helpage International Staff in Africa

Abstract

Strategic change management has turned out to be a crucial aspect of organization management universally. In the ever changing environment, it is now considered among the best practices in managing dynamism. Effective use of strategic change management practices has proved to improve employee performance during change processes. This study sought to assess the effect of strategic change management practices on performance of Help Age International employees in Africa. The study applied the descriptive research design through cross-sectional surveys. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data while publications and other relevant reports on strategic change management proved to be of importance in the collection of secondary data. Data analysis was carried out using Microsoft excel and SPSS. The study determined that reduced donor funding was the major cause of the strategic realignment of HAI’s vision. The study also found out that strategic change management practices positively correlates to employee performance. Effective application of strategic Change management practices resulted to improved employee performance while ineffective application of the same led to deterioration of employee performance. The study determined that Employees were not directly involved in the initiation of the strategic change process hence a decline in performance at the onset of the change process. Effective communication though countered this and the study determined that employee performance improved. Job evaluation and redesign followed by effective training and capacity building programs also led to an improvement in employee performance. The study recommends direct involvement of employees in initiating any change process in an organization. This allows them to own the process hence a more positive response. HelpAge International together with other Non-Governmental Organizations should also develop alternative sources of funding to reduce overreliance on donor funds. Further research on effects of strategic change management practices on performance of employees from a number of other Non-Governmental Organizations and corporates is recommended to enable generalization of the findings.