A communication perspective on barriers to planned implementation - A case study of the implementation of a care pathway at Danderyd University Hospital

Abstract: Organizations continuously undergo planned implementations to improve and develop their way of working, but implementing these changes comes with challenges. Even when the purpose of the implementations is clear and the new way of working is finalized, there is still a high risk that the desired change effects are not reached. This study aims to examine barriers in planned implementations by using a qualitative data gathering method with an inductive design. Our sample consisted of 14 respondents, including 6 doctors and 8 nurses and of these, some worked more comprehensively with the implementation. A thematic analysis was made to find barriers and communication was identified as the main barrier. It was then further analyzed through a modified theory of Model I and Model II communication framework. The research provides an understanding of Model II communication, resulting in mutual understanding, which fulfills an extremely important role in planned implementations. If Model I communication is being used, sufficient information transfer is vital for it to be a beneficial communication type in some contexts. This study contributes to the literature on awareness for organizations about potential barriers in an implementation and how these can be related to dysfunctional communication. Awareness of barriers and minimizing the negative effect through enhanced communication can improve organizational change to achieve the desired effect.