Employee engagement in a change environment

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics of organizational change and present the case for a new, more effective and lasting way of approaching it, based on the practical application of behavioral psychology to engage employees in the change.

Design/methodology/approach

Using construction business Costain's Project Management Academy as a case study, the paper illustrates Crelos' five‐stage model of behavioral change. This is based on its “Precision Business Psychology” approach, which combines the latest knowledge from psychological sciences with years of experience in enabling the delivery of lasting change in both the private and the public sectors.

Findings

The paper highlights the importance of investing time in the earlier stages of the change management process in order to prepare individuals and so embed behavioral change more quickly and effectively. It also identifies the value of a precise approach, both in order to deliver effective interventions at the appropriate time and to measure progress.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new approach to creating lasting change, based on behavioral psychology and the latest cognitive research that suggests that the existing approaches to people management commonly in use today, developed several decades ago, are not as effective as peope think. Readers will also learn how to avoid common pitfalls in making organizational change.

Citation

Gill, A. (2009), "Employee engagement in a change environment", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 19-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/14754390910937549