Management of the Potential Challenges in the Consolidation Phase : A Case Study of a Scandinavian Company

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore how to manage the potential challenges organizations may face in the consolidation phase, and in order to achieve this, potential challenges need to be identified. Methodology: The research has been performed through an abductive case study method to the subject of change management. The empirical data was gathered from semistructured interviews conducted at an international company, Company X, primarily from the electronic commerce department. The authors used a thematic analysis inspired by Boyatzis (1998) when analyzing the data. Research Limitation: Due to the limited amount of time, the research is limited to only embrace the consolidation phase of an organizational change process. The case study includes 10 interviews from one organization, which will limit the research. The authors apply anonymity due to the company's desire; however, it is also done in order to protect the respondents from any possible harm that might derive from this study (Waldorf,2006). Theoretical Perspective: Literature covering different but highly related areas of change management, and its relation to the consolidation phase constitutes the theoretical foundation of the thesis. Results: The authors identified four potential challenges when consolidating change; communication, prioritize consolidation, policies and employee involvement. Conclusion: In order for organizations to successfully manage the four identified challenges they have to increase the flow of communication, prioritize the consolidation phase, and thereby also allocate resources, which enables the employees to consolidate changes, set up clear policies for the consolidation phase and involve the employees within all levels, in order to increase the employee motivation.