Most executives and managers are cynical about company wide strategic initiatives, according to new research.
The survey, compiled by Pentacle, The Virtual Business School, found that four in five respondents felt that initiatives rarely helped to improve the profitability of their business, while 77% thought that senior management underestimate the stress caused by continual changes in company policy.
Even so, over three quarters felt that changes carried out within their own company would be beneficial, suggesting that employees are happy with change, as long as it is carried out effectively.
Results also found that the blame for project failure lay not with the project conception but with its execution. Over 60% thought that failure of strategic changes was down to the senior management, while having the senior management’s full commitment to a project was seen as more important than getting all the staff on board.
“The general malaise surrounding strategic change is far from a new thing, as UK workers have typically viewed change with a level of mistrust, particularly when it adds additional duties to their workload,” commented Eddie Obeng, director at Pentacle.
However, he was keen to show that employee attitudes have changed vastly over the past decade:
“UK business people are showing the kind of company loyalty, competitive spirit and can-do attitude that has been traditionally more associated with Americans,” he added.
Poor communication was voted by 73% of respondents to be one of the most common reasons for failure.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
