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Context adaptation in public administration change processes : a case within the Swedish transport administration

Ekendahl, Paulina LU orcid ; Bäckström, Izabelle LU and Norrman, Andreas LU orcid (2025) In Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to explore context adaptation of change processes in the setting of public administration. This is done by adopting a contingency approach. Thus, the research question guiding this study is: How is context adaptation enacted in change processes and what are the behavioural implications? Drawing on empirical findings from the Swedish Transport Administration, the study illustrates the enactment of context adaptation and its behavioural implications through the phases of change. The analysis identifies key contextual factors and contingency variables, demonstrating that context adaptation is enacted by managers and employees. Notably, certain context adaptation led to contradictory behavioural patterns. This... (More)
The purpose of this paper is to explore context adaptation of change processes in the setting of public administration. This is done by adopting a contingency approach. Thus, the research question guiding this study is: How is context adaptation enacted in change processes and what are the behavioural implications? Drawing on empirical findings from the Swedish Transport Administration, the study illustrates the enactment of context adaptation and its behavioural implications through the phases of change. The analysis identifies key contextual factors and contingency variables, demonstrating that context adaptation is enacted by managers and employees. Notably, certain context adaptation led to contradictory behavioural patterns. This study hence contributes to public administration literature by exploring the enactment of context adaption in change processes which represents an understudied phenomenon in this field. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration
pages
28 pages
publisher
University of Gothenburg School of Public Administration
ISSN
2001-7405
DOI
10.58235/sjpa.40354
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
This article is part of a special issue: Exploring current themes, future trends, and challenges in Scandinavian public management
id
879d2ddc-6174-4204-b116-a6ae723f3bfc
date added to LUP
2025-11-13 12:59:17
date last changed
2025-12-02 10:11:24
@article{879d2ddc-6174-4204-b116-a6ae723f3bfc,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this paper is to explore context adaptation of change processes in the setting of public administration. This is done by adopting a contingency approach. Thus, the research question guiding this study is: How is context adaptation enacted in change processes and what are the behavioural implications? Drawing on empirical findings from the Swedish Transport Administration, the study illustrates the enactment of context adaptation and its behavioural implications through the phases of change. The analysis identifies key contextual factors and contingency variables, demonstrating that context adaptation is enacted by managers and employees. Notably, certain context adaptation led to contradictory behavioural patterns. This study hence contributes to public administration literature by exploring the enactment of context adaption in change processes which represents an understudied phenomenon in this field.}},
  author       = {{Ekendahl, Paulina and Bäckström, Izabelle and Norrman, Andreas}},
  issn         = {{2001-7405}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  publisher    = {{University of Gothenburg School of Public Administration}},
  series       = {{Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration}},
  title        = {{Context adaptation in public administration change processes : a case within the Swedish transport administration}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.40354}},
  doi          = {{10.58235/sjpa.40354}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}