Date of Award
2019
Publisher
North Dakota State University
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Awarded
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Transportation, Logistics and Finance
College
Business
Faculty Advisor
Szmerekovsky, Joseph
Description
Grounded in developmental theory, the Ship of Change provides a renewed look at diagnostic relationships between organizational elements, and their interactions through the lens of a metaphorical ship analogy. Elements are identified and arranged based on empirical studies from the field with causal considerations emphasized by Burke-Litwin. The model uses a two-tiered visual perspective to depict multi-dimensionality that links core organizational elements to work unit activities through the interplay of culture, communication and climate. The model is intended for both the conveyance of principles related to open systems theory, and the practical application of diagnosing organizations for planning and implementing change. The model was tested in a case study with a transportation company using multiple methods data collection including a communication satisfaction survey, workplace observations, and employee interviews. The model was used to categorize and interpret data and to inform recommendations for change.
Recommended Citation
Swearingen, Robert, "The Ship of Change: A Model for Organizational Diagnosis and Change Management" (2019). Transportation Logistics and Finance. 2.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/transport-logistics-finance/2
Rights
NDSU policy 190.6.2
Rights Link
https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf
Handle Identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/10365/31717