Change Communication in Public Sector Cutback Management
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Date
2018Author
Graaf, Genevieve
Hengeveld-Bidmon, Evelyn
Carnochan, Sarah
Salamone, Marianna
Austin, Micheal
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**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: Budget cuts in public sector organizations create additional strain for employees, often contributing to uncertainty, rumors, and low morale. This study examines the dynamics of com-municating about organizational changes in public human service organizations during the cut-backs of the Great Recession from 2008-2013. Drawing from in-depth interviews of 45 senior managers in eleven San Francisco Bay Area county public human service agencies, the findings focus on perceived employee responses to change, specific change communication strategies uti-lized, and how these were shaped by internal and external factors. The study concludes with im-plications for future practice and research during significant budget reductions in public human service organizations.