Introduction
In the change management process, the communication to and the inclusion of
employees directly affected by the change is key and critical. How those individuals in
leadership positions present and deal with that communication will drive the success of
an organizational change effort. In 2004, Agricorp underwent significant change - both
from a business process and delivery standpoint and from a cultural standpoint - by
taking on the responsibility for the delivery a new program to its customer base. This
program had just recently been established within the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and
Food (OMAF) and its delivery model and staff were transferred into the organization.
This study will review literature to look at how the change process impacts
individuals and organizations through an understanding of change and changes process
and the influences leadership and culture have on communicating change and culture and
what that means for the organization. It will explore the use of action research and focus
groups as a means of understanding how the employees within Agricorp responded to
communications regarding a significant change initiative. It will seek to understand the
role that communications played in their personal change transition, the role leaders
played in that, and did their participation, or lack thereof, influence their approach to
change. And finally, draw some conclusions from the research findings and make
recommendations to the organization for moving forward with ongoing change
communications.