Unit 13 Study Notes
Unit 13 Study Notes
Successful companies embrace continuous innovation to remain competitive and profitable. For
example, tech companies are developing smarter computers that can configure themselves, handle heavy
workloads, and proactively resolve problems, helping them stay ahead of the competition.
Incremental Change: Step by step improvements in operational and work processes across different
parts of the company.
Transformational Change: Complete redesign and renewal of the entire organization.
A product change refers to alterations in the organization's product or service outputs, driven by the
need to adapt to shifts in markets, technology, and competition. It’s often used as a key way to innovate
and stay relevant.
A technology change involves altering the organization’s production processes to improve efficiency.
It’s focused on enhancing how work is done, making production more effective or cost-efficient.
Structural changes include modifications in the organization’s design and management, such as
alterations in hierarchy, goals, administrative procedures, management systems, and organizational
culture.
Changes in structure, technology, and products cannot be successful without addressing the human
element. Cultural and behavioural shifts are necessary to ensure the organization adapts and that
employees embrace new ways of working.
What is the three-stage process for achieving behavioural and attitudinal change in organizations?
A performance gap is the disparity between an organization’s existing performance levels and the
desired performance outcomes. It can indicate that current processes or outcomes are not meeting
expectations.
The initiating change stage involves developing ideas to address perceived needs for change.
This includes:
Search: Learning about current developments inside or outside the organization that could address the
need.
Creativity: Generating novel ideas that could fulfil the need or offer new opportunities.
An idea champion is an individual who sees the need for change and actively advocates for productive
changes within the organization, helping to drive the change process forward.
A new-venture team is a separate unit within an organization responsible for developing and initiating a
major innovation. These teams typically operate with greater autonomy and focus on breakthrough
projects.
A skunkworks group is an informal, highly autonomous, and often secretive team focused on
developing breakthrough ideas or innovations that may disrupt the current business model.
By analysing both the driving and restraining forces, managers can focus on strengthening the driving
forces and removing or reducing the restraining forces, which helps make change more successful.
Communication: Providing clear information about the change and its benefits.
Education: Training employees to understand and implement the change.
Participation: Involving employees in the change process to gain buy-in.
Negotiation: Offering incentives or compromises to those who resist change.
Coercion: Using authority or formal bargaining to enforce change, particularly when there is strong
resistance.
Coercion is typically used when a crisis exists, top management support is strong, and other methods
(such as communication and negotiation) have failed. It’s often used in situations that require quick and
decisive action.
Strong support from top management is crucial for successfully implementing change. It provides the
authority, resources, and guidance needed to push through any obstacles and ensure that employees feel
confident in the change process.
Managers can ease the implementation process by communicating clearly with employees, providing
adequate training, and involving them closely in the change process. Engaging employees early and
continuously helps reduce resistance and fosters a more collaborative environment.