MO

M.E. Overdijk

info

Please Note

2 records found

Master thesis (2025) - M.E. Overdijk, A.S. Toet, S.C. Santema
Like many other organizations, Royal Schiphol Group (RSG) faces a persistent challenge of strategy myopia: urgent operational demands overshadow long‑term strategic ambitions. A clear example is RSG’s vision to become a multimodal transport hub (MTH): despite its strategic importance, it is mentioned only a handful of times in recent annual reports and has failed to gain organizational traction. This reflects a broader issue at RSG: strategic initiatives consistently lack the visibility, momentum, and broad organizational support they need.

The objective of this research was to explore the organizational dynamics that influence why some strategic initiatives at RSG successfully move from margin to mainstream and others stall.

A qualitative approach was used, combining unstructured interviews with employees (N=11) across strategic, operational, and innovation roles, and three generative design workshops mapping timelines of past change initiatives. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: (1) The duality of urgency: both necessary and unfavorable for strategic change, (2) misalignment between long‑term strategy and day‑to‑day operations and (3) the importance of clear ownership and influence of key stakeholders.

The insights showed that fragmented urgency perceptions among RSG employees prevents strategic initiatives from gaining traction. Long‑term projects often fail to align with the immediate priorities of influential decision‑makers, resulting in low urgency and minimal stakeholder involvement.

To address this challenge, this thesis introduces a way‑of‑working that:

1. Identifies and maps key internal stakeholders, distinguishing those with the greatest influence over the initiative.
2. Assesses the perceived urgency of influential stakeholders
3. Sorts all internal stakeholders into one of four actionable engagement strategies: Use commotion for promotion; limit attention; keep Involved; build urgency & gain buy‑in:

The tactical foundation of the design ensures resistance is perceived as valuable, buy-in efforts are targeted on high‑impact stakeholders first, and leverages commotion to generate broader awareness for strategic initiatives.

Usability testing showed that the decision flow is clear, structured, and easy to use. Participants quickly understood the yes/no structure. Scenario testing confirmed the tool’s practicality, relevance, and ability to bring clarity to complex internal stakeholder environments.

This research contributes to the practice of organizational change by designing a repeatable, actionable way-of-working, that enables RSG employees to systematically align stakeholder urgency with tailored engagement strategies and thereby move marginal ideas into mainstream organizational priorities.
...

A scientific study that explores solutions for Ricanau Mofo's water management challenges, focusing on riverbank stabilization, improved drainage and responsible waste management

Located in Suriname, the village of Ricanau Mofo faces a multitude of environmental challenges. This report delves into a comprehensive study that employed a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging the expertise of students from various backgrounds to address these pressing issues.

The most critical concern identified was the relentless erosion of the riverbank, forming an existential threat to the village. The report explores interventions for both riverbank and soil erosion. Building upon the previous year's sheet pile wall construction by van Dongen et al. (2023), the report evaluates its effectiveness and proposes potential improvements for natural shore protection. It presents an analysis of structural solutions like sheet pile walls and quay walls, alongside nature-based methods that promote vegetation growth. A multi-criteria analysis is employed to objectively evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of each intervention.

Moving beyond the riverbank, the report investigates soil erosion in Ricanau Mofo's old center. To understand the water flow patterns, a hydrological analysis was conducted. This analysis incorporated field measurements, on-site observations, and existing scientific reports. By considering factors like clay content, vegetation cover, discharge, and slope, the study categorized different flow areas within the village center. This detailed analysis lead to the proposal of a combination of targeted interventions, including roof gutters, strategic vegetation planting, and channel improvements, all aimed at effectively addressing drainage issues and mitigating soil erosion.

Waste management emerged as another critical concern. The report sheds light on the impact of inadequate waste collection systems on hygiene and even the success of other implemented solutions. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the report proposes a roadmap and implements a physical prototype for establishing a more organized and effective waste management system, promoting a sense of shared responsibility for a cleaner Ricanau Mofo.

This report illustrates the value of a multidisciplinary approach. By combining diverse expertise and conducting thorough analyses, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of Ricanau Mofo's environmental challenges. The proposed solutions for riverbank and soil erosion control, improved drainage, and effective waste management offer a sustainable path forward for the village's future development. ...