concerns and expectations of library staff before and after a merger
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Concerns and expectations of library staff before and after a merger. Research questions. How important is it to library staff of the three merging institutions that certain work-related conditions stay the same? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Concerns and
expectations of library
staff before and after a
merger
Research questions• How important is it to library staff of the three
merging institutions that certain work-related conditions stay the same?
• Which concerns that people have during a merger apply to the library staff of the three merging institutions?
• When library employees think of the merger which mood describes them best?
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Figure 1. The 5 most important conditions
that should stay the same
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Figure 2. The 5 least important conditions
that should stay the same
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Conditions 1 – 5 yrs 6 – 10 yrs 11 – 15 yrs
2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 % % % % % %
Same benefits 23 63 37Same standards 35 65 35Same job 35 80Same values, beliefs 31 60 31Same policies 22 67 44Same language 09 57 36Same team 55 100Same director 27 78 27Same job title 50 64Same supervisor 40 100Same office 44 67Same procedures 50 73Same traditions 38 60Same users 40 78 60
Table 1. Conditions that library staff regarded
very important to stay the same
Conclusions relating to research question #1• Majority of staff preferred conditions to stay
the same
• To the majority of staff it was important that job security and job quality stay the same
• Junior staff was most in favour of conditions staying the same
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Table 2. Merger-related concerns of library staff
Concerns Library staff
2003 2004
% %I might be expected to do a different job 77.4 72.2I might get a new supervisor 72.6 64.8I might get a new director 71.0 64.8I might get new team members 66.1 62.7I might be relocated to another library 75.8 61.1I might be expected to adapt to a new organisational culture
71.0 59.3
My skills and past experience might not be recognized
50.0 48.2
The library leaders might not act in my best interest
41.9 42.6
My team members might loose their jobs 56.5 35.2I might loose my job 56.5 27.8I might not be happy in the new library 24.2 25.9
Mean average 61.4 54.3
Conclusions relating to research question #2• Most staff members were concerned that they
might have to do a different job
• Fewest staff members were concerned that they won’t be happy in the post-merger library
• Fewer staff had concerns after the merger
• However, some concerns applied to more staff members after the merger
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Table 3. Emotions of staff which describe their progress in a change cycle
Stages in a change cycle
Feelings, thoughts and emotions
Before merger
After merger
N % N %
Loss
Doubt
Discomfort
Discovery
Understanding
Integration
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Table 3. Emotions of staff which describe their progress in a change cycle
Stages in a change cycle
Feelings, thoughts and emotions
Before merger
After merger
N % N %
Loss Frustrated
Powerless
Doubt Sceptical
Uncaring
Discomfort Anxious
Confused
Discovery Creative
Anticipating
Understanding Confident
Pragmatic
Integration Satisfied
Focussed
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Table 3. Emotions of staff which describe their progress in a change cycle
Stages in a change cycle
Feelings, thoughts and emotions
Before merger
After merger
N % N %
Loss Frustrated 14 28
Powerless 2 4
Doubt Sceptical 5 10
Uncaring 3 6
Discomfort Anxious 9 18
Confused 4 8
Discovery Creative 8 16
Anticipating 3 6
Understanding Confident 2 4
Pragmatic 0 0
Integration Satisfied 0 0
Focussed 0 0
TOTAL 50 100
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Table 3. Emotions of staff which describe their progress in a change cycle
Stages in a change cycle
Feelings, thoughts and emotions
Before merger
After merger
N % N %
Loss Frustrated 14 28 6 11
Powerless 2 4 5 9
Doubt Sceptical 5 10 5 9
Uncaring 3 6 1 2
Discomfort Anxious 9 18 5 9
Confused 4 8 3 6
Discovery Creative 8 16 4 7
Anticipating 3 6 6 11
Understanding Confident 2 4 6 11
Pragmatic 0 0 2 4
Integration Satisfied 0 0 3 6
Focussed 0 0 8 15
TOTAL 50 100 54 100
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32%
16%26%
22%
4% 0%
Loss
Doubt
Discomfort
Discovery
Understanding
Integration
Figure 3. How library staff experienced change
before the merger
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Figure 4. How library staff experienced change
after the merger
Conclusions relating to research question #3• After the merger: clear signs that some staff
were coming to terms with the merger• Some staff still have emotions which are
identified with loss
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Closing remarks• Merger related concerns are real and alive
• Expectations and concerns before a merger do not necessarily go away after the merger
• It may change over time and may even increase
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