Final answer:
The 'implementation gap' refers to the differences between plans made by an organization and their actual implementation, often characterized by work overload, conflicts, managerial ambiguity, and coordination challenges. It can severely impact the effectiveness of new initiatives and contribute to stress and low morale among teams, especially when resources are stretched or there's a lack of dedicated support for the changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'implementation gap' refers to the difference between organizational plans or decisions that have been made and the actual implementation or execution of those plans. This can include various issues such as work overload, conflict among staff, ambiguity in managerial roles, and challenges in coordination and decision-making within groups. The implementation gap can also result from the intense demands on staff who are already juggling multiple projects, especially in scenarios where funding is uncertain or staff resources are not dedicated specifically to the new initiative.
Work overload and conflicting priorities can make it highly challenging for team members to execute new projects effectively. This issue is further compounded when the organizational structure or management style does not sufficiently support the adaptation to new policies or objectives, leading to difficulties in balancing existing responsibilities with additional demands.
Moreover, when there are conflicts within a team due to differences in beliefs, values, or actions, if not effectively managed, these conflicts can contribute to the implementation gap by causing stress, lowering team morale, and resulting in decreased productivity. An organization's capacity to deal effectively with such conflicts and maintain team cohesion is critical in closing the implementation gap.