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Exploring the use of simulation as a tool of change management.

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Date

2009

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Abstract

The ability of an organisation to change and adapt is critical. The process of change however tends to be more challenging than expected during initial planning. Organisations frequently rush into change initiatives; these often result in unintended consequences which may subsequently lead to many change efforts being unsuccessful. There is much contention around issues of participation and communication, and current theory and models are criticised for being inadequate. The skills base of employees and managers are also often inadequate to deal with proposed changes. Problems are seldom handled effectively, thereby decreasing an organisation’s ability to engage in learning. Simulations have proven beneficial in enabling participants from various backgrounds to meaningfully engage by learning from experience. The safety of the environment enables participants to explore ideas and strategies, with the aim of developing abstract thinking by observing and reflecting on experiences from the simulation. This exploratory study therefore set out to investigate how and specifically in which ways simulations can play a role in change management. Relevant literature in the areas of change management, learning, systems thinking, complexity theory and simulations were examined to establish a theoretical grounding. The empirical component of this study focused on the fisheries system in the Western Cape province of South Africa. A qualitative research approach and purposive sampling were employed. Fifteen semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Observations and secondary data in the form of archival data, and other relevant organisational documents were also analysed. Subsequent data analysis was then used to uncover the various pertinent issues. A simulation was thereafter designed, piloted with students, and then conducted twice with some of the stakeholders in the fisheries context. This study is significant in understanding how interactive simulations contribute to change management. The main findings from this study indicate that simulation use illustrated how the various stakeholders in a system interact, and how their actions and decisions influence each other. The findings also revealed that simulations were particularly effective in a multiplestakeholder scenario, and could show the role that mental models and stakeholder perceptions play. The findings indicated that simulations could successfully place emphasis on developing capabilities, and highlight how approaches towards communication and participation influence outcomes. General implications based on the findings were derived for change and simulation theory, as well as for the fisheries context. The simulation may be used in other areas of natural resource management, as well as general stakeholder scenarios. It may also be effective in a general organisational setting to re-examine the conventional way of approaching change.

Description

Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

Keywords

Organizational change--Simulation methods., Theses--Leadership and management.

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