Enabling successful change in a high-demand working environment: a case study in a health care organization

Abstract

Purpose

The anticipation of organizational change and the transition process often creates uncertainty for employees and can lead to stress and anxiety. It is therefore essential for all organizations, especially those that operate in high-demand working environments, to support the well-being of staff throughout the change process.

Design/methodology/approach

Research on how employees respond to the organizational change of relocating to a new work space is limited. To fill this gap in the research, we present a case study examining the well-being of clinical and health care employees before and after a disruptive change: relocation in workplace facilities. In addition, factors that enabled successful change in this high-stress, high-demand working environment were investigated. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants before the relocation and 11 participants after relocation. Following an inductive approach, data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes.

Findings

Our findings suggest that a supportive team, inclusive leadership and a psychologically safe environment, may buffer negative employee well-being outcomes during disruptive organizational change.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature on successful organizational change in health care by highlighting the resources which support well-being throughout the change process and enabling the successful transition to a new facility.

Citation

Clarke, E., Näswall, K., Wong, J., Pawsey, F. and Malinen, S. (2024), "Enabling successful change in a high-demand working environment: a case study in a health care organization", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 38 No. 2, pp. 248-263. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-02-2023-0051