Does change agent selection procedure matter? A strategic decision-making toward a more objective selection approach

Abstract

Purpose

While studies have established the important role of change agents throughout organizational change programs and emphasized the change agents’ impact on outcomes of change efforts, it could be argued that the decision-making procedure for the selection of change agents may also influence the success of organizational change programs in several ways. This research aims to explore and compare the potential influence of a traditional change agent selection procedure with a more systematic and objective approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study has been conducted, before and after testing a group decision support system for the selection of change agents in an organization that was on the verge of a major rebranding.

Findings

The main findings suggest the importance of objectivity, transparency and attention to competency in the selection procedure for the role, while providing evidence for using a systematic participative decision-support process for the selection of change agents, leading to several desirable organizational outcomes, including improvements in perception of objectivity, trust, transparency, fairness and competency related to the selection process.

Originality/value

Drawing from the previous studies and the presented findings, this study offers evidence on the importance of paying attention to the selection procedure for the change agent role as it could potentially have an influence on the employees across organizations and, consequently, the success of change programs.

Citation

Mashhady, A., Khalili, H. and Sameti, A. (2022), "Does change agent selection procedure matter? A strategic decision-making toward a more objective selection approach", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 43 No. 8, pp. 1157-1185. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-01-2022-0041