Språkets gränser är förståelsens gränser - en studie om mellanchefens utsatta roll under en organisationsförändring

Sammanfattning: This study aimed at generating psychological knowledge regarding how the middle manager experiences his/her communicative role during an organizational change. For this purpose, qualitative interviews with several middle managers were conducted at a company located in the south of Sweden. This company had recently gone through an organizational change in which they had merged two different business units into one. The results of the study displayed how the middle managers perceived that both the top management and the subordinates expected them to act several different, and often competing, roles simultaneously during the organizational change. Having to regularly choose where to put their loyalty, this turned out to be challenging for them. Furthermore, the results showed that two separate discourses had developed within the organization, which further complicated the communication, especially during the organizational change. Finally, a discussion regarding possible solutions, such as the consultant, and a democratic leadership style was brought to light. The conclusion was that these means could contribute to a successfully conducted organizational change.