The influence of a change management process on work-related attitudes: The case of Emalahleni Local Municipality

Abstract

Employees work attitudes towards change has become a major concern for most organisations both private and public sector. This research investigates the degree to which change management processes impacts on employee’s attitudes, performance, and trust in management as well as employee morale in Emalahleni Local Municipality. Emalahleni Local Municipality as a case study falls under Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga Province geographically. The study aims to assess the influence of change management process on work related attitudes of the Municipal employees. The primary research objective was to examine how change management process affects workers attitudes towards their work with a specific objective of determining the relationship between organisational change management process and job performance, to establish the impact of organisational change management process on trust in management and to determine the relationship between organisational change management process and employee morale. Quantitative research approach was chosen in order to achieve the principal objectives of the study. The research was conducted using closed questionnaire which was developed with reference to the literature review and was distributed to 150 participants who are employees of Emalahleni Local Municipality. Data was analysed by University Statisticians using the SPPS version 23. The study discovered that change programs implemented within the organisation do have an impact on their performances on the job and employees at Emalahleni Local Municipality are yet to realise the positive change in their jobs after the implementation of change programs. The study recommended that it is important for senior management, Councillors and staff to be aware of all the relevant provisions of the change management framework, and ensuring sufficient consultation and communication during change implementation.