| dc.description.abstract | Change management is the deliberate and coordinated actions taken to transform an
organization to overcome environmental challenges in order to achieve its objectives. Hence
organisations are undertaking strategic changes in order to align their business strategies to
the environment thereby matching the resources and activities of an organisation to that
environment. Immigration has been an important factor influencing the historical and
contemporary development of Kenya and other nations representing the world's diverse
geographic regions, cultures, and socio-political systems. Migrations of people have ranged
from seasonal to permanent resettlement and from local to global.
The purpose of the study was to determine how the immigration department has managed
changes relating to its reform and modernization programme, the perceived impact of these
changes and whether the changes adopted are in line with the strategic goals.
The study adopted a descriptive survey design where section heads in the department were
interviewed. Study findings were presented in narratives.
Research findings indicate that change management issues were the responsibility of the
management and the executive committee comprised of management and other selected staff
members. On the application of change management, the study found that the department
applies change management in technology, training and cost management. Just like in any
other organisation, resistance to change was found to be prevalent in the department. The
interviewees said that they had experienced resistance to change as a result of introduction of
change in their sections. The resistance to change was found to emanate mainly from the
employees who feel that the changes introduced in the organisation are not usually part of
their inputs.
The study will be of importance to the government in formulating a policy on the regulatory
process in the economy in the areas that necessitate strategic change management, in order to
ensure orderly economic growth and development. More specifically, the study will assist
immigration department in improving change management in its future programmes.
Immigration department's management will also be able to identify the most appropriate and
sustainable change management practices needed to successfully manage change and to
ensure sustained and efficient service delivery.
The study will also provide a platform for further research in the area of change management
and in particular the practices that will contribute to successful strategic change management
in Kenyan state corporations, parastatals and more specifically the immigration department. | en |
