Transforming RoyalAhrend’s Sustainable Service Units

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2023-07-12

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en

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This thesis employs a participatory action method to research the transformation of the organizational structure of RoyalAhrend's Logistics & Fulfilment (L&F) department. L&F currently faces challenges realizing its basic activities, necessitating a transformation. The objective is to transform L&F’s structure to properly realize its sustainable product lifecycle extending service activities alongside their installation activities, to support meaningful survival. The research utilizes the Lowlands-SocioTechnical Systems Design theory and the 3- D model by Achterbergh and Vriens (2019) as a framework to guide the partly episodic intervention, focusing on diagnosing and designing L&F's structure. The research diagnosed L&F's structure as a self-inhibiting High Parameter Value Structure, with high probability of disturbances and insufficient regulatory potential. A new Lower Parameter Value Production Structure is collaboratively designed, focusing on independent flows and semi-autonomous teams to attenuate disturbances and amplify regulatory potential. The research recommends forming a project group of L&F members and an expert, further following the 3-D model, to leverage the research findings and realize successful implementation. These insights contribute to the academic literature and serve as a practical resource for organizations, researchers, and consultants interested in similar transformational processes, particularly within traditional manufacturing organizations with shortcomings in sustainable service- and customer-oriented organizing.

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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen