Navigating Organizational Excellence in the Post COVID-19 Era: A Prescriptive Analysis of Senge’s Five Disciplines for Maintaining Organizational Sustainability and Creating Adaptive Learning Systems

Abstract

This study uses a multiple case study analysis to explore common themes in challenges that organizations encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that organization’s reactive culture to adapting to change and staying afloat in turbulent times is not sustainable, causing strains across different organizational functions. Some common themes identified from the case studies include reactive cultures, social and psychosocial challenges, operational challenges as well as non-preparedness for change. There were also challenges in work-life balance, as employees had to quickly adapt to a totally different work mode with little to no training; changes in technological applications, as well as employee exhaustion and lack of motivation. The study further proposes an applicable model of organizational change as a helpful tool to aid organizations better manage change. Senge’s Five Disciplines are put forward as a prescriptive model to support organizations through change and adopt a proactive, rather than reactive approach for sustainable organizational growth.