GENERAL THEME

Organizations must adapt to unforeseen challenges and uncertainties in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Global pandemics, technological disruptions, economic fluctuations, geopolitical crises, and wars are reshaping market dynamics and economic stability. These unprecedented challenges demand robust and effective change management strategies.

Navigating organizational change in such uncertain times requires a multifaceted approach that blends established theories with modern practices. Prioritizing leadership, fostering a strong organizational culture, engaging employees, embracing agility, leveraging digital transformation, building resilience, and ensuring clear communication are critical to enhancing an organization’s capacity to adapt and thrive.

Understanding and applying proven change management frameworks is essential for guiding organizations through transitions. These frameworks must also allow flexibility to address the unique challenges posed by uncertainty. By revitalizing established methods and exploring innovative approaches, organizations can develop strategies that are both comprehensive and adaptable.

Managing change effectively has become a vital competency for leaders and managers. Ongoing research in this area offers valuable insights for practitioners seeking to implement successful change initiatives in an increasingly complex environment.

The WOA 2025 would be a forum to explore the multifaceted nature of organizational change by integrating diverse theoretical frameworks and practical approaches. It seeks to uncover innovative strategies for navigating change in times of uncertainty. Below are key themes of interest from both scientific and managerial perspectives:

• Leadership plays a pivotal role in navigating organizational change. Then studies can focus on the competencies and behaviours of leaders who successfully guide their organizations through turbulent times, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence, communication skills, and vision. 
• The relationship between organizational culture and change initiatives is a critical area of investigation. Research highlights that aligning change efforts with an organization’s existing culture significantly increases the likelihood of successful implementation.
• The well-being of employees during times of change is increasingly recognized as a vital factor in achieving organizational success. Fostering a supportive environment can enhance resilience and engagement.
• Organizations prioritising open communication and establishing robust feedback mechanisms are better equipped to navigate uncertainty and foster trust during transitional periods.
• The rapid acceleration of digital transformation presents profound challenges and opportunities for organizational change. Successfully adopting new technologies requires managing the accompanying cultural and operational shifts to ensure sustainable integration.
• Ethical decision-making and strong governance structures are critical in ensuring transparency and accountability during organizational transitions.

We invite submissions of original research, theoretical papers, case studies, and innovative research ideas to contribute new empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives on the themes outlined above. Below are example questions and topics to inspire contributions:

• How do organizational structures and managerial processes adapt to manage uncertainty effectively?
• What strategies ensure effective change management in volatile and unpredictable environments?
• What is the role of leadership in guiding organizations through complex transitions, and how can leaders cultivate emotional intelligence and visionary thinking to navigate challenges?
• How can organizations foster employee engagement and resilience during transformative periods?
• What is the impact of digital transformation on organizational change processes, and how can organizations address the cultural and operational shifts it requires?
• How does the alignment between organizational culture and change initiatives influence the success of transformation efforts?
• What human resource practices best support change initiatives while prioritizing employee well-being and mental health?
• How can organizations establish open communication channels and feedback mechanisms to build trust during transitions?
• What role does ethical governance play in ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness during change processes?
• How can diversity and inclusion perspectives enhance innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving during organizational transformations?
• What are the critical challenges and opportunities associated with integrating sustainability and social responsibility into organizational change strategies?
• How do inter-organizational collaborations and partnerships influence the management of large-scale changes?
• In what ways can data analytics and AI tools be leveraged to predict, plan, and manage change effectively?
• How do globalization and cross-cultural dynamics affect the implementation of change initiatives in multinational organizations?
• What are the emerging trends in employee learning and development that support successful adaptation to change?
• How can organizations create adaptive and agile work environments to thrive in a constantly evolving landscape?