Implementing Change (Coursework Sample)

IMPLEMENTING CHANGE
November, 2015
Introduction
According to Daft (1983), organizational change is the "adoption of a new idea or behavior by an organization”. Similarly, Hodge and Anthony (1988) define organizational change as an alteration in the status quo. Change occurs mainly because organizations as open systems, must frequently cope with shifts in key environmental domains. By adapting to new conditions, they can continue to grow and prosper. Thus organizations must change to cope with changes generated by changes in their external environment, which are continuously changing.
British American Tobacco is the world’s most international cigarette company, selling over 240 brands in 180 markets. The Company has a global market share of over 16% and their mission is to champion informed consumer choice and deliver their commitments to society (/strategy).
Organizations face a continuously changing environment for example competitors introduce new products, new production technologies one developed, political environments change, economic environment changes. The organization’s internal environment also changes eg employees retire or resign, or inter group conflicts arise. These changes and others give managers daily challenges. Therefore for British American Tobacco Company to achieve its goals we must constantly respond to those challenges and we will meet the challenges by implementing one or more of the organizational change and development techniques.
1 The type of change needed
British American Tobacco has been facing challenges in some countries concerning their products and health implications. Therefore the change that British American Tobacco Company needs is the culture or people changes; these changes refer to the changes in the attitudes, skills, expectations and behavior of employees.
2 Steps to implement the change
Kurt Lewin’s three phase process proposes that every human grouping has some forces within it which help keep it in balance and provide it with stability. On the one hand there are forces that force it to maintain stability and others which provide it with a reason to change (the force – field theory). Field Force Theory states that, all behavior is the result of equilibrium between the two sets of opposing forces (driving forces and restraining forces)
1 Step 1: Unfreezing existing behavior
We will do this by persuading and convincing those with restraining force
2 Step 2 Changing behavior
This will be done by adopting new attitudes
3 Step 3: Refreezing
We will reinforce and continuously convincing the organizational members that change is not only necessary and desirable, but inevitable. This will be consolidated by various support mechanisms such as encouragement, participative management styles etc.
3 How to avoid resistance to change
1 Education and Communication
This will involves securing relevant facts, eliminating misunderstanding due to incorrect or incomplete information and resolving difficult viewpoints through discussion.
2 Participation and Invol...