Approaches to changing organizational structure: The effect of drivers and communication

A changing organizational structure is probably the most apparent indicator and clear evidence of organizational change. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the steps of the process of changing organizational structure, with special focus on drivers, components, communication, and outcomes. To study a change in organizational structure, the analysis employs a multiple case study research design, focusing on four organizations. The results derive approaches to changing organizational structure. Those approaches' characteristics are a) an emphasis on external or internal drivers of the change, and b) the prevalence of formal or non-formal communication on the change. A mutual combination of these characteristics leads to four possible outcomes, pictured in a 2 x 2 matrix as approaches to changing organizational structure. The matrix helps to understand how changing the content or form of communication facilitates changes in different components of organizational change. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.