Abstract

Changing an Organization's Culture: A Role of Leadership

By

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

[Name of program]

Walden University

[Last month of quarter you plan to graduate] 20XX

ABSTRACT

Transformation (pseudonym for the organization being studied, a U.S. market leader in pediatric nutritionals and a world leader in adult nutritionals) was experiencing rapid rates of change, thus providing a fertile ground for a heuristic, descriptive, ethnographic case study exploring leadership's role in changing the culture of the organization. Using a case study format, this research study examined the relationships between leadership, culture, and change. The research questions were grounded in the literature of leadership, organizational culture, and planned change.

Changing an Organization's Culture: A Role of Leadership

By

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

[Name of program]

Walden University

[Last month of quarter you plan to graduate] 20XX

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to take this chance for thanking my research facilitator, friends & family for support they provided & their belief in me as well as guidance they provided without which I would have never been able to do this research.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

Signature:

Date:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACTii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTiv

DECLARATIONv

LIST OF FIGURESviii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Organizational Background1

Statement of the Problem2

Aim of the Research3

Research Questions3

Theoretical Framework4

Significance of the Study4

Disposition5

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW7

Planned Change Theories7

Collaboration and Cooperation9

Organizational Culture and Change10

The Role and Evolution of Leadership12

Role of Leadership in Managing Cultural Interventions13

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY16

Research Design and Process16

Research Instrument16

Interviews16

Participants17

Informed Consent17

Confidentiality18

Validity18

Ethical Considerations19

Data Analysis19

Qualitative Data Analysis19

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS21

Research Question Analysis21

Research Question 1: What Were the Internal and External Forces Driving Organizational Changes?21

Internal factors Influencing Changes at Transformation21

External factors Influencing Changes at Transformation21

Research Question 2: To What Extent Has Senior Leadership Influenced or Managed the Organizational Change?23

Research Question 3: What Was the Impact of Shifting From a Science-Based Research Company to a Consumer Packaged Goods Company?24

Research Question 4: How Did the Practices at Transformation Compare With the “Best Practices for Change” as Identified in the Literature?25

Discussion of the Findings26

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION31

Recommendations for Future Research31

REFERENCES32

LIST OF FIGURES

Table 1: Leadership Best Practices14

Table 2: Best Practices for Organization15

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Organizational Background

The problem was more easily understood when one reviewed some background on the organization. The vision of Transformation (pseudonym for the organization being studied), a U.S. market leader in pediatric nutritionals and a world leader in adult nutritionals, is to be the worldwide leader in providing superior and trusted nutritional products and related healthcare products that advance the quality of life for people. For Transformation, science has been the core of its business. Transformation's commitment to excellence has made it one of the world's most respected names for nutritional and related healthcare products. As described last year on Transformation's web site, health care professionals, parents, and health-conscious ...