Date of Conferral

12-1-2025

Date of Award

December 2025

Degree

Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)

School

Management

Advisor

Kim Critchlow

Abstract

Ineffective organizational change strategies represent a persistent challenge for organizations undergoing transitions. Business leaders who must maintain operational stability and safeguard financial performance during periods of change need effective strategies to support successful implementation. Grounded in an 8-step change model, organizational information processing, and stakeholder theories, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify effective change management strategies used by business leaders to minimize financial loss and operational disruptions during transitions. The participants were eleven leaders from nonprofit, higher education, corporate, faith-based, agriculture, and military sectors who had effective change management strategies. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Using thematic analysis, five themes were identified: (a) transparency and inclusion, (b) structural investment, (c) collaboration and shared accountability, (d) human factors, and (e) communication and leadership responsiveness. Recommendations include strengthening communication systems, evaluating capacity before implementation, and creating shared accountability structures. The implications for positive social change include the potential for business leaders to implement the identified strategies, thereby influencing management practices that prioritize transparency and support, promoting healthier workplace environments and increasing organizations’ performance for fostering economic stability within communities.

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