Culture change management: Case study of an information technology department

Culture change has significant impact on the successful integration and completion of mergers and acquisitions. It is very difficult, however, for leaders to manage change and penetrate the culture as people consciously or unconsciously cling to traditional behaviours and values. This project analyzes the culture change issues at SoftTek's Information Technology Department in the implementation of new values and an ideal culture initiative after the reorganization. Opportunities and gaps in two areas of normative change, Empowerment and Involvement, are assessed and recommendations made for best practices and the most appropriate leadership skills for implementing these new cultural norms. The resistances to the change effort and techniques to overcome these barriers are discussed.