Employee Perceptions Regarding an Organizational Change Initiative in a State Wildlife Agency. Issue 5 (3rd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lauricella, Taylor K.; Ford, J. Kevin; Riley, Shawn J.; Powers, Charlotte L.; Lederle, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Human dimensions of wildlife. Volume 22:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 422
• Page End: 437
• Publication Date: 2017-09-03
• Subjects: Adaptive management -- organizational change -- strategic planning; Wildlife management -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Fishery management -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 333.95405
• DOI: 10.1080/10871209.2017.1342013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-1209

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Strategic planning is a common pathway used by state wildlife agencies to adapt to financial constraints and changing societal needs; both are accelerating developments. Yet evaluations of organizational change because of strategic planning, especially from perspectives of agency personnel, are not well reported in wildlife literature. We provide a template for capturing employee perceptions toward an organizational change initiative within one state wildlife agency. We used an organizational change framework to recognize outcomes and create a customized employee survey to evaluate attitudes toward changes as part of the long term strategic plan. Positive employee reactions to organizational changes were evident throughout the agency. Areas for organizational improvement identified included enhancing communications about change efforts and diffusing strategies working in collaboration with stakeholder groups. Employees identified more with their individual work groups than with the agency as a whole. Insights provide a basis on which to improve future change processes.