Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2019 Change Management Implementation Strategies for Small Businesses Oneeka Rena' Rivers Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Health and Medical Administration Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Oneeka R. Rivers has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Denise Land, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Rollis Erickson, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Judith Blando, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty The Office of the Provost Walden University 2019 Abstract Change Management Implementation Strategies for Small Businesses by Oneeka R. Rivers MA, University of South Carolina, 2010 BS, College of Charleston, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University December 2019 Abstract Most organizational change initiatives fail because managers lack effective change management strategies. The purpose of this single case study was to explore change management strategies that outpatient care facility managers used to positively affect process improvements. The population consisted of 6 managers who completed change initiatives at a military, outpatient medical facility in Texas and 6 of their team members. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and organization documents, then analyzed based on the conceptual framework of Lewin’s change theory. Rowley’s 4-step process for analysis—organizing; getting acquainted with; classifying; coding and interpreting; and presenting and writing up the data—was used to identify 4 major themes through data saturation. From the data analysis, the following strategy themes emerged: building effective teams, establishing the foundation for the change, communicating throughout the change process, and solidifying the change. Managers in the healthcare industry can use the findings of this study as a guide to improve the outcomes of their process improvement initiatives by implementing the strategies provided by the manager participants. Thus, the findings of this study may be used to affect positive social change to improve patients’ quality of healthcare and community healthcare outreach programs through increased efficiencies and reduced expenditures. Change Management Implementation Strategies for Small Businesses by Oneeka R. Rivers MA, University of South Carolina, 2010 BS, College of Charleston, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University December 2019 Dedication I dedicate this doctoral study the same as I do every other accomplishment in my life. First, I give honor to God, for without Him, I would not have made it this far. Secondly, to my parents, Mr. Proctor and Dr. Lillie Rivers, your love and support through the years have meant more to me than you will ever know. To my brothers, Ronald and Rodney, thank you for protecting me through the years. To my beautiful grandmothers, Mary Rivers and Lillie Jackson, thank you for being the epitome of strength—defying the odds to raise your children and being ever- present in the lives of your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every moment that we spent together was precious to me. Not a day goes by that I do not think of you. Although you are not here physically, I know that you are watching over me. My only wish is that you are proud of the woman that I have become partly because of you. I also dedicate this study to my amazing, handsome, future husband, Dwaine. You are my joy, calm place, heart, and everything. I love you more today than I did yesterday, but not as much as I will love you tomorrow, my king. Acknowledgments Many people contributed to my success during this doctoral journey. First, I would like to acknowledge my committee. My chair, Dr. Denise Land, was amazing. Thank you for your advice and mentorship over the past year. Your leadership has been paramount in making me a better researcher and scholar. To my second chair, Dr. Rollis Erickson, and my URR, Dr. Judith Blando, thank you for your guidance through the final stages of this difficult process. To my participants, thank you for taking the time to share your profound experiences. This study would not exist without you. To my mommy and daddy, thank you for encouraging me to continue accomplishing my goals. You never accepted anything but my best. You never made me feel like there was a glass ceiling for my dreams. Your support is something that I will cherish and pass along to my children. Ronald, Rodney, and I will never overlook the countless seen and unseen sacrifices that you made for us. My love, Dwaine, you gave me the strength to finish this race. I never knew that I could love someone as much as I love you. You are the epitome of what a real man is. Thank you for being who you have always been in my life, my best friend. To my OH, Dr. Byron Nichols, thank you for encouraging me to earn my doctorate. Your friendship and support have proven unwavering over the years. You will never know the magnitude of the influence you have made on my life. Last, but not least, to my other family and friends, thank you for your kind words, laughs, and support. I love you always. Table of Contents Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................2 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3 Research Question .........................................................................................................4 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................5 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................6 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................6 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................7 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 7 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 8 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................9 Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 9 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................... 9 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................10 Lewin’s Change Model ......................................................................................... 12 The Healthcare Industry ........................................................................................ 25 Process Improvement Methodologies ................................................................... 28 Organizational Change.......................................................................................... 35 i Transition .....................................................................................................................45 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................47 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................47 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................48 Participants ...................................................................................................................50 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................53 Research Method .................................................................................................. 54 Research Design.................................................................................................... 55 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................57