essential-guide-to-qualitative-in-organizational-research

344 –––––––––– QUALITATIVE METHODS IN ORGANIZATION STUDIES ––––––––––––––––––to see the recommendations implemented, but suspected that senior managers would notagree with the conclusions reached’ (Symon and Clegg, 1991: 282). They were right, indeedthe director of engineering called the feedback ‘a moaning minnies’ charter’. Further debatefollowed.Stage 7a: implementationSome of these recommendations were accepted and implemented. A CADCAM user groupwas set up to address some of these issues, in particular concerning resources, end-userparticipation, education and training, and infrastructural support (namely coveringrecommendations 2, 4, 5 and 6 above). Also the researchers were invited to continue theirwork, including further evaluation of the human and organizational impact of the CADCAM(namely covering recommendation 7 above).Stage 5b: a new agendaThe changes were implemented from March 1989 onwards. The researchers continuedworking in the company until April 1990, gathering further data using participant observation,tracer and questionnaire techniques (as described earlier). These data were used to comparehow the process of change was now being managed with the conceptual model offered bythe researchers. Thus the researchers maintained their proposed relevant system and rootdefinition (stage 3) and their associated conceptual model (stage 4).This work culminated (in April 1990) in the presentation of a second report including afurther agenda for change. These recommendations included the following:1 senior managers develop a strategy for the organizational and technical integration of thedesign and manufacturing functions – some specific suggestions were made for how thiscould be achieved;2 the project management infrastructure should become more integrative (of design andmanufacture); for example by3 changing the roles of the existing CAD manager and CAD trainer into those of managerand trainer of the complete CADCAM system;4 and rotating the chairmanship of the CADCAM user group so that representatives frommanufacturing act in that role.Stage 6b: debatePresentations based on the researchers’ second report were made to two groups of people,the end-users and the board of directors. The end-users were in broad agreement with thesecond report, though some were concerned that it appeared critical of the manufacturingfunction. The board of directors also approved the report (‘what I have been saying for thepast 8 years’ according to the director of corporate engineering). The managing director(new in the role) stressed that the benefits of integrative technologies can only be achievedwith organizational changes. ‘The brick walls between design and manufacturing have tocome down’.