A study of a business transformation exercise with a focus on operational excellence and organisation development

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate a business transformation exercise in one of the major local manufacturing organisations. The related research centred around two primary aspects - the implementation of best manufacturing practices leading to Operational Excellence (OE) and organisational development interventions required for the delivery of successful performance. The extensive literature review together with the insights gathered from the organisation under study helped in achieving this objective. Using a qualitative methodological approach through in-depth and semi-structured interviews conducted to twelve members from senior and middle management, major themes were extracted and analysed to allow for further analysis of the phenomenon under study. The analysis of data presented the main factors that instigated the organisation to initiate and drive for change, the benefits that such exercise made possible, and the various challenges encountered during the transformation. Moreover, it also brought forward matters that could have been carried out better during the change process, priorities that need to be urgently addressed, as well as different types of attitude exhibited during such exercise. Secondary data was also collected from the organisation to allow for further understanding of the subject being researched. The analysis was followed by a set of recommendations proposed for actions to be addressed to support the local manufacturing sector gain competitive advantage in today's challenging economic environment. The dissertation concludes by providing further opportunities for future research.