Managing the Transition Towards Zero-Emission Aviation: A Grounded Theory Approach to Change Management

Abstract

The planet is facing the prospect of irreversible climate change, and aviation is expected to contribute to a future zero-emission society. The Norwegian government, technical developers and aviation industry deem Norway as a suitable arena for developing, testing, and implementing zero-emission aviation technology. The transition towards zero-emission aviation is comparable in magnitude to the shift from propeller powered aircraft to jet powered aircraft. What distinguishes these transitional processes is that one was technologically motivated, while the other is politically motivated through multilateral climate agreements, and the zero-emission technology is not developed yet. The number of stakeholders, lack of technologically developed solutions and expectations of safety from the travelling public and professional communities make this transition inherently complex. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to attempt to answer the research question: “What methods or approaches can best be used to manage the changes associated with the transition to zero-emission aviation?” The question is thought answered through qualitative method, specifically a Grounded Theory Method. A literature search and review deemed the change management theory as insufficient for answering the research question and utilizing Grounded Theory Method allowed for a bottom-up analysis rooted in data to analyse the transitional intricacies. The data capture method was semi-structured explorative interviews with seven pilots. The analysis was conducted by way of Strauss’ coding paradigm and Ash’ general model of social action. The main findings are that the transition is highly dependent on trust, both amongst the change instigators and agents, as well as in the latent conditions influencing the transition. While no conclusion as to what method or approach can best be used to manage the transition is reached, the applied methodology is an attempt at disassociating with unsubstantiated assumptions found in change management literature, which may lead the way for further research into planning for highly complex transitional processes in unique contextual landscapes.