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influence of sub-cultures on planned organizational change in a community college: An exploratory case study

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Date Issued:
2005
Summary:
The purpose of this research study was to explore and increase understanding of the ways in which sub-cultural groups within a community college may differently experience, respond to, and influence the organization's efforts to engage in purposeful change. To accomplish this purpose, an exploratory case study was conducted focusing on a medium-sized community college which was engaged in a multi-faceted institution-wide planned change initiative throughout the duration of the study. Qualitative research methods, including focus groups, individual interviews, an anonymous open-ended questionnaire, participant observations and review of archival documentation were utilized to identify, analyze, contrast and compare the perceptions, beliefs and assumptions of four sub-cultural groups within the community college. These groups included the administrative, senior faculty, junior faculty, and support staff sub-cultures. A total of 86 participants were involved in the study. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Schein's cultural dimensions model (1992), Kotter's eight-stage process for large-scale organizational change (1996), and Schein's three-tier model of organizational culture (1992). These theories informed the development of multiple data collection strategies, research protocols, and a three-phase data analysis process. This research design produced thick, rich data which was useful in revealing and understanding the meaning that each sub-culture ascribed to the planned change initiative. Through the research, it was determined that the four stakeholder groups initially identified through a preliminary pilot study did, in fact, constitute distinct sub-cultures based on differing cultural assumptions. Through thematic analysis, it was also determined that, although the four sub-cultures exhibited important commonalities in their perceptions regarding planned change, the sub-cultures also demonstrated significant differences in the ways in which they experienced, responded to, and influenced planned change. Further, it was determined that the differences between sub-cultures were at the deepest level of culture, basic underlying assumptions, where they were most likely to facilitate or hinder the planned change initiative. The implications of these sub-cultural differences and related strategies that community college leaders might consider when designing a planned change initiative were discussed. Recommendations for further research and the significance of the study were also presented.
Title: The influence of sub-cultures on planned organizational change in a community college: An exploratory case study.
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Name(s): Locke, Mary G.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Guglielmino, Lucy M., Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2005
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 223 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The purpose of this research study was to explore and increase understanding of the ways in which sub-cultural groups within a community college may differently experience, respond to, and influence the organization's efforts to engage in purposeful change. To accomplish this purpose, an exploratory case study was conducted focusing on a medium-sized community college which was engaged in a multi-faceted institution-wide planned change initiative throughout the duration of the study. Qualitative research methods, including focus groups, individual interviews, an anonymous open-ended questionnaire, participant observations and review of archival documentation were utilized to identify, analyze, contrast and compare the perceptions, beliefs and assumptions of four sub-cultural groups within the community college. These groups included the administrative, senior faculty, junior faculty, and support staff sub-cultures. A total of 86 participants were involved in the study. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Schein's cultural dimensions model (1992), Kotter's eight-stage process for large-scale organizational change (1996), and Schein's three-tier model of organizational culture (1992). These theories informed the development of multiple data collection strategies, research protocols, and a three-phase data analysis process. This research design produced thick, rich data which was useful in revealing and understanding the meaning that each sub-culture ascribed to the planned change initiative. Through the research, it was determined that the four stakeholder groups initially identified through a preliminary pilot study did, in fact, constitute distinct sub-cultures based on differing cultural assumptions. Through thematic analysis, it was also determined that, although the four sub-cultures exhibited important commonalities in their perceptions regarding planned change, the sub-cultures also demonstrated significant differences in the ways in which they experienced, responded to, and influenced planned change. Further, it was determined that the differences between sub-cultures were at the deepest level of culture, basic underlying assumptions, where they were most likely to facilitate or hinder the planned change initiative. The implications of these sub-cultural differences and related strategies that community college leaders might consider when designing a planned change initiative were discussed. Recommendations for further research and the significance of the study were also presented.
Identifier: 9780542384905 (isbn), 12181 (digitool), FADT12181 (IID), fau:9088 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2005.
College of Education
Subject(s): Community colleges--United States--Administration
Community colleges--United States--Sociological aspects
Organizational change--United States--Case studies
Educational anthropology--United States
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12181
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.