A qualitative approach to organizational analysis - The applicability of qualitative studies through the Critical Incidents Technique in the implementation of organizational development programs –

Abstract

A qualitative approach in a organizationl diagnosis process has the purpose of identifying the elements that generate performance and the ones which may require improvement, and which the organization itself can control. The instruments used in qualitative studies can help to accurately point out the organizational profile by conducting interviews with key people in organizations (mainly from managerial level, and key people- specialists in certain business lines). Applying a series of techniques to describe the current situation in an organization in terms of organizational climate, culture, norms and values promoted at informal level is necessary in order to customize organizational organizational development programs on specific company needs. The CIT (Critical Incidents Technique) promotes the use of qualitative techniques in order to accurately capture specific situations (in organizational context) that may destabilize the activities of an organization. Critical incidents are understood herein as problmes/situations that require new approaches in order for them to be resolved. If an organization goes through a set of planned changes, critical incidents are seen as constructs that may be directly observed through qualitative methodology. Critical incidents can have a positive impact if they are supported by setting clear objectives and standarized actions considered in the current critical incident. Qualitative study through CIT presumes defining the specific organizational profile of a company, the type of relations that exist within it, of the behaviours, values and habbits that are promoted internaly in order to see what are the processes that are affected by organizational change. This paper is due to the empirical study of an organization which is undergoing a process of change due to the recent takeover by a foreign investment fund; the research involves identifying key points that can optimize the development program of the organization and facilitate implementation of the change process by outlining best practices applicable to the company and by poining out the common elements of the curent organizational culture and the one that is implemented.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n22p378