Working at the coalface: being a miner in times of change (original) (raw)

A case study analysis of the introduction of a new system for appraising worker performance in an Australiancoal mine is used to explore the related concepts of identity and culture that are central to explainingindividual and group behaviour in organizational context (Irrmann, 2002: 164). The change initiative wasinitiated by management following a search and evaluation of the general business environment to see whatother organizations were doing to improve their operations. There was no prior consultation with employees,nor were any attempts made to involve mine workers before implementing what management described as amore ‘scientific’ and ‘transparent’ system of employee performance management. As it turned out, this changedisrupted operations, introduced new procedures that were scorned and fiercely resisted by miners, andserved to increase levels of discontent and hostility among employees. One of the major threats that this newinitiative posed for employees centred on the iss...

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