Commitment to purpose – the catalyst for organisation change and performance

Abstract

Purpose

To demonstrate the significance ensuring the clarity and alignment of purpose to the achievement of organisation goals.

Design/methodology/approach

Through experience of working within a number of organisations across varied industries the author has formulated a link between the extent to which interpretation of organisation purpose is aligned within functional and individual objectives and the achievement of organisational goals. This paper intends to provide a series of checks and a framework of audit that ensures that an organisation can consider the extent of consistency and inform management of the potential for improvement.

Findings

The consideration that a consistent interpretation and deployment of organisation purpose can serve as a catalyst of well‐implemented change and achievement of intent. The extent of potential negative impact and the potential sources of disengagement can be identified through investigation of ten questions. The potential to address issues from within a considered framework of review will enable improved consistency and application.

Practical implications

Improved approaches to the monitoring of aligned and integrated business unit, functional, team and individual objectives will provide a greater potential for organisation initiative success.

Originality/value

The structured review of the extent of alignment and integration will provide valuable information on the potential success of strategic initiatives, operational improvement projects and organisation vision. It is valuable to heads of HR, Learning and Development, executive, senior and middle management involved in change and the achievement of strategy and vision.

Citation

Pritchard, N. (2010), "Commitment to purpose – the catalyst for organisation change and performance", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 42 No. 7, pp. 360-365. https://doi.org/10.1108/00197851011080333