The impact of an organisational development intervention in an educational setting

Abstract

A critical component o f any organisational development intervention is the evaluation o f its effects (Illback and Zins, 1995). The effects o f the intervention need to be known, as evaluation and self renewal form part o f the routine in healthy organisations (Ibid). The present research examined the impact o f one particular organisational development intervention that has been implemented in a number o f schools in the township o f Attridgeville. The sample consisted o f one hundred and nine school teachers and clerical workers employed at the schools. The impact was assessed in terms of teacher’s and clerical worker’s perceptions o f organisational justice, propensity to engage in industrial action, and organisational commitment before and after the intervention. Differences in levels of job satisfaction between those that have been exposed to the intervention compared to those who have not, were also assessed. The results of this study found no significant differences in the before and after scores for the variables mentioned. It was also found that the relationship between these variables has not changed before and after the intervention. A further qualitative exploration was undertaken to investigate these findings, and this revealed certain positive outcomes as a result o f the intervention. The limitations o f the study are explained, and suggestions for further research are mentioned.