The organisation under review, like many others, is currently facing a number of challenges, such as profitability and the life-span of the existing resources, and the ability to locate new resources. This calls for leaders to think and respond differently in such times, which has called for a revision of the current business strategy and operating model. This has included, amongst others, the disposal of marginal/loss making resources, the revision of the traditional organisational hierarchical structure, referred to as the inverted triangle (with a more direct focus on front-line employees) and the implementation of continuous business improvement, supported by lean manufacturing principles. This study aims at exploring the supporting socio-technical change considerations within a learning organisation, specifically focussing on aspects referring to the desired culture, such as communication patterns; social and behavioural patterns and leadership characteristics. In order to effect successful, holistic change, it is imperative that both the social and technological dimensions of organisational change are jointly managed and optimised. The purpose of this study will therefore be to explore and suggest the socio-technical considerations required to facilitate holistic change in order to achieve efficiency within the organisation.

Thesis (M.Comm.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.