›› 2018, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (8): 208-223.

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How to Overcome Organizational Inertia in Projectized Transformation Scenario: An Action-based Research on Paths and Strategies

Zhu Fangwei, Song Haoyang, Wang Peng   

  1. Faculty of Management and Economics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024
  • Received:2016-03-04 Online:2018-08-28 Published:2018-08-31

Abstract:

During the process of projectization, bureaucratic organization encounters different inertias with unique characteristics. The success of projectized transformation lies in overcoming bureaucratic inertias effectively, promoting transformation process and improving adaptability and flexibility. This study conducts an action-based research into six stages of DXS Co. Limited. The results indicate that during the process of project transformation, overcoming the organizational inertias formed in bureaucracy-managing mode is a 3-stage dynamic interaction process that reflects the characteristics and inner links of different inertias. We find the three stages are centered around the conversion of cognitive inertia, based on the adjustment of structural inertia, characterized by the renovation of behavioral inertia and run through by the shaping of new culture. In each stage, overcoming strategies, including organization learning, process restricting, communication and participation, multi-incentive mechanism and cultural cultivation, cloud be taken to overcome inertia and divided into two kinds, namely knowledge acquisition activities and high-level support and guide activities. These two kinds support and promote each other. The conclusions, based on both theory and practice, deepen the study of overcoming organizational inertia from the perspective of process, and examine and support some of the existing theoretical results. The conclusions also provide more targeted and effective instructions for enterprises in projectized transformation.

Key words: organizational inertia overcoming, project change, action research