Implementation of strategies: A case study of a municipality owned housing company

Paper in proceeding, 2013

Organizations implement strategies in order to guide the organization into the future. Therefore, the interpretation of the strategies within the organization is important. This paper aims to clarify how an organization can transfer strategies to achieve a unison understanding in order to reach organizational goals. The main research question of this paper is; How does a municipality owned housing company implement their strategies within the organization? A theoretical framework of recent literature regarding strategy, communication and sensemaking is used and a case study of a municipality owned housing company is performed. The company is organized in divisions and departments in order to both maintain existing housing and to develop the company internally for future demands. Our method of research has been to interview three employees, working in the company’s departments. Results from the case study indicate that involvement from all employees creates a better understanding of the strategies. A clear structure of meetings, in which information is shared, is used to ensure the communication within the different divisions and departments. Our findings showed that workshops are viewed as a way to create mutual understanding. The study concludes that the involvement of employees and sufficient communication is a key factor of a successful implementation of strategies. Thereto, a unison sensemaking throughout the whole organization is needed.