Issues and Process in Change Implementation in Ethiopia: Learning from Two Case Studies

This research is aimed at examining change management implementation launched in 2004 by the Endowment Fund for the Rehabilitation of Tigray (EFFORT Corporation.) The broad research question seeks to answer: “Issues and processes in change implementation in Ethiopia” With reference to Almeda Textile and Messebo Cement companies.I selected the “concurrent” study approach as a method for this research. Various materials were reviewed to provide the contextual framework of the study. These included literature review, one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions and the review of documents including correspondences of change management implementation of both companies and corporate offices. In order to collect the data presented in this paper, questionnaires were developed on readiness for change and managing change.The introduction of change management made a significant contribution toward increasing the sense of urgency and organizational change awareness in all companies under EFFORT. Nevertheless, the research reveals that in the absence of clear objectives and guidelines that outline the approaches and steps to be used, the implementation and facilitation of the change process that began in 2002 and later given more impetus in 2004 has proven to be less successful.