Home⇛iCONNECT Multidisciplinary Research Journal⇛vol. 2 no. 2 (2025)

Resuming Operations During The Covid-19 Pandemic And Addressing Organizational Complacency In A Family Business

Peter Hans Tejada

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

This insider action research aimed to address two critical issues within Tejada, Magante & Co. (TMC) during the COVID-19 pandemic: the lack of brand identity and organizational complacency. Grounded in the principles of Integral Human Development (IHD), which emphasize balance across eight dimensions—spiritual, bodily, cognitive, emotional, aesthetic, social, moral, and material—this study explored key organizational challenges and implemented strategic interventions. Findings from various inquiries revealed that TMC members perceived the Aesthetic and Material dimensions as the most in need of improvement. The absence of a distinct brand identity hindered business operations and employee motivation, while financial difficulties arose due to the company’s temporary closure during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). In response, the first action research cycle focused on establishing a strong brand identity through the creation of a company logo, uniforms, and identification cards. Compliance with government regulations also enabled TMC to resume operations during the ECQ. In the second action research cycle, attention shifted to organizational complacency, which resulted in missed sales opportunities and inefficiencies in employee management. Using the Organizational Complacency Effect on Organizational Components framework (Harraf, Soltwisch, & Talbott, 2016), complacency was identified in four areas: process, people, structure, and culture. The Incremental Decision Model Framework (Mintzberg, Raisinghani, & Theoret, 1976) was employed to restructure employee responsibilities, improving overall organizational efficiency. The effectiveness of these interventions was measured using Spector’s (1994) Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), which indicated high levels of employee satisfaction. The findings of this study offer practical insights for organizations seeking to integrate IHD principles and mitigate complacency in the workplace. Future research may further explore the long-term impact of brand identity and organizational restructuring on business resilience.



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