Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how organizational change was conceived and implemented in a local setting, as a response to severe deficiencies found regarding procedures and regulations application. Moreover, three nested levels (macro, meso and micro) were visualized in the analyzed setting. Guidelines and pressures from the upper levels (global) were found. Additionally, the paper tries to analyze how these pressures and guidelines influenced the action in practice, and what were the measures taken to respond successfully to the identified challenge. Methodology: A qualitative methodology was used to conduct the research, supported on a case study - a state prison in Portugal. Moreover, the investigation also comprised the supervising Directorate-General. The following research questions were posed: i) How did the merger process between the Directorate-General of Prison Services (DGPS) and the Directorate-General for Social Reinsertion (DGSR) occur, and what was the impact seen on the change process in prisons? Ii) Can this process of change in prisons be explained by existing theory? Data were gathered by tape-recorded interviews and by written documentation provided by the organization. Findings: It was found that actions and measures were successfully taken and implemented in the local setting, in a well-conceived strategy to respond to the deficiencies found and to the pressures and guidelines from the upper levels. Institutional theory was used to support the investigation, particularly the link between the three nested levels (Dillard et al., 2004; Scott, 2014). Isomorphism (DiMaggio and Powell, 1983, 1991) and practice variation (Cruz et al., 2009; Cruz et al. 2011) were also found as key factors linked to the outcome process. Research Implication: This paper shows that organizational change can be the umbrella to solve deficiencies regarding procedures and regulations application in a state local setting. Furthermore, some key factors were found as relevant in practice (isomorphism, practice variation, collective involvement, among others). This conclusion is very important for academics and for practitioners. Originality/Value: Organizational change, isomorphism, practice variation, collective involvement (among others) are key factors to help organizations to solve internal deficiencies linked to procedures and regulations application.
