Lessons for Change Management and Software Implementation: An Ethnographic Study of Australian Small Business

This research explores the impact of cloud technology adoption on work practices within Australian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It investigates the central question: “What happens within small businesses when a product is introduced that challenges long-term work practice habits?” Through an ethnographic study, the research delves into the multifaceted experiences of organisational change and technological adaptation. Key insights reveal that even in established organisations, continuous negotiations and shifts occur as individuals adapt, resist, and refine work practices, particularly during periods of technological disruption. The study adopts an ecological approach, intertwining concepts of access, trust, power, and work rhythms to shed light on the dynamic interplay between software design, organisational infrastructure, and everyday work practices. A significant outcome is the development of the 'HOME Improvement' approach, which offers an adaptive, reflective tool for organisations to introspectively assess their dynamics and design contextually fitting improvements. This research provides a novel perspective on sustainable change management for both scholars and industry practitioners navigating technological disruptions.

Author dc:creator

• Gisch, Anita L.

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
• The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
• © 2024 Anita L. Gisch
• au.edu.uts.lib/cph

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/181024

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.lib.uts.edu.au:10453/181024