A Reconceptualization of Change Strategy – One Application of Dilemma Theory

: Pertti Laine, Päivikki Kuoppakangas

Publisher: Routledge

: United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland

: 2015

: Journal of Change Management

: 15

: 4

: 332

: 352

: 21

: 1469-7017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2015.1058845

: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2015.1058845

‘Strategic change’ is widely discussed in the scientific literature, whereas ‘change

strategy’ (CS) remains conceptually vague and ambiguous in meaning. The purpose of this article

is to introduce a novel re-thinking and expansion of CS as a concept in relation to other essential

change-related issues. CS as we see it is a unique combination of means to accomplish a desired

change in a certain context. Dilemma theory is a useful analytical starting point in creating a CS,

with its basic principles of reconciliation and decision-making based on the dimensional view of

change. These principles make a substantial contribution to the overall management of change in

terms of outlining the theoretical foundation of the CS. Developing well-being at work (WW) is

used as an example of a demanding strategic change in the practical application of CS. A

process model for creating CS is also presented and tested in the WW context.