StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Influence of Individual Resistance to Change - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
This essay "The Influence of Individual Resistance to Change" focuses on change that is an intrinsic part of life and ‘organizations must change because their environments change’. In the rapidly changing environment of globalization, change is essential for development…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.5% of users find it useful
The Influence of Individual Resistance to Change
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Influence of Individual Resistance to Change"

Introduction Change is intrinsic part of life and ‘organizations must change because their environments change’ (Bateman and Zeithaml, 1990). In the rapidly changing environment of globalization, change is essential for development. Understanding of the organization’s behavior has become important as its people comprise of different race, color and culture. Organizational behavior basically defines the interaction of human beings in a given organization and analysis of individuals and group characteristics facilitates better understanding, prediction and improvisation in work place, leading to improved performance. But it is equally true that people tend to resist any kind of change within and outside their professional life for variety of reasons. Hence, organizations need to implement the changes in a manner that mitigates the resistance of the individuals and instills confidence in them. Potential sources of stress In the book ‘Organization Behavior’ the authors Hitt et al, have cited four basic causes of resistance to change: lack of understanding; different assessment; self interest; and low tolerance (Hitt, A. Miller, C. Chet Miller and Colella, 2005). The first factor normally happens when the employees and staff are not clear about the changes that need to be made which creates fear of the unknown among the persons who need to adapt to the changes. The second factor is crucial because the management may resist to the change as a result of assessing the change in a differently perspective, mainly due to lack of communication on the part of management. This type of resistance develops when organization is in the process of adopting newer technology which creates self doubt of the new technology and at the same time they become unsure about their own ability to successfully adapt the changes in their work practice. Finally self interests and low tolerance for change is usually observed when people in the organization do not anticipate changes and therefore often undergo different modes of emotional resistance before accepting the changes. Influence of resistance to change These are major factors that create irrational fear, emotions like anger, frustration and reluctant acceptance that promotes non-congenial atmosphere for work. They fight against any change to defend their position and job in the organization, keeping their self interest in mind. A good leader ensures that all types of changes must be gradually introduced with full participation of the employees so that at each stage, they are able to understand the necessity and viability of the changes that must be enforced, in order to meet the broader aims and objectives of the organization. The leaders of the organization must facilitate and disseminate information regarding the changes so people are better able to understand and hence participate into the changing environment. Consequences The influence of individual resistance to change within the organization has widespread implications on the overall performance outcome of the organizational goals and objectives. The resistance adversely affects the performance outcome and at the same time, inculcates a sense of low confidence and low morale amongst the workers. It also creates conflicts within and outside the organization and fosters mutual mistrust and anxiety. Therefore, changes need to be studied and discussed amongst the workers to form collective decision and promote confidence building and mutual trust. Recommendation It is important to inculcate and promote strong organizational culture that thrives on efficient discharge of one’s duties, integrity, ethical and moral accountability with a strong sense of pride. It is also necessary that detailed information regarding the consequences of actions of the employees that may be detrimental to the organization’s image and credibility must be disseminated to them. It must be realized that organizations need to develop unique organizational culture with well defined vision and mission statements which are effectively communicated to their employees. The institutionalized beliefs that promote changes for the wider welfare of the organizational goals and objectives need to be implemented through shared vision. It promotes better understanding among the employees and provides impetus for improved performance and easy changeover. The imperatives of organizations must involve a ready preparedness for changes. According to Marrow ‘the changes required by the welfare of the business become everybodys business and get made’ (Marrow, 1957, p. 66). Therefore, the management must make efforts to develop consensus through proper dissemination of information. It is important for the leaders and management of the organizations to promote empowerment of its staff through well designed process of problem solving and self learning through mutual cooperation and innovative management approach. The conflicts can be solved through effective communication that encourages discussions and doubts clearing sessions and leaders must adapt such techniques to overcome resistance and create congenial atmosphere in the organization. The changing times had made it imperative to meet the challenges of the contemporary lifestyle that demands more innovative approach based on the latest technology. The leadership qualities ensure that collective decision is promoted so as to win the trust and confidence of the employees or other professionals. Though it is difficult to change an organization’s culture but good leadership is known to make visible changes in it. Leadership encourages innovation of ideas and adaptability to changes. Hence, leaders who are visionary and endowed with effective communication skill are able to inspire others to achieve a common goal. As Brown, a management consultant, states in her article, ‘resistance can be overcome by making sure that the change effort is communicated effectively in a multi-dimensional format. Adult learning theory supports the need to propagate messages that are seen, heard, and felt. By seeking consensus, acknowledging feedback and communicating effectively, organizations can meet resistance successfully’ (Brown, 2007). Conclusion A well developed leadership within the organizational structure would facilitate integration of diverse ideologies and personal conflicts and help inspire and motivate each of them to work together to produce a cohesive output representing the organization’s unique objectives and goals. Sjostrand and Tyrstrup, in one of their article, have argued that managerial leadership needs to be approached as a relational, ongoing social construction process rather than as a single clear cut phenomenon (Sjostrand and Tyrstrup , 2001). Hence, one can conclude that one needs to meet the challenges of the time with a creative approach that promotes independent thought and actions with good analytical and rational approach towards innovative ideas. It must also take into consideration the changing demands of its customers. Indeed, for any organization to expand and succeed, it is crucial that its people are recognized as vital part of its strategy and organizational goals and objectives be interpreted in the context of the changing paradigms of the times. Therefore, organizational strategies and implementation processes must be designed so as to have collective approval of its workforce, thus facilitating and building a firm and stable organization. Reference Bateman, Thomas S., and Carl P. Zeithaml. (1990). Management: Function and Strategy. Homewood, IL: Irwin. Brown, Clanzenetta. (2007). Strategies For Overcoming Resistance To Organizational Change. Available from: [4 March, 2009]. Marrow, A. J. (1957). Making Management Human. New York: Mc-Graw-Hill Book Company. Hitt, Michael A., Miller, C. Chet Miller and Colella, Adrienne. (2005).Organizational Behaviour: A Strategic Approach. Chapter 14. USA. John Wiley & Sons. Sjostrand, S and Tyrstrup, M. 2001. Recognized and unrecognized managerial leadership, in Invisible Management – The social construction of leadership. S Sjostrand, J Sandberg and M Tyrstrup (eds.). Thomson. pp 1-27. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Examine and discuss the influence of individual resistance to change, Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1552092-examine-and-discuss-the-influence-of-individual-resistance-to-change-potential-sources-of-stress-and-consequences-in-organizations-recommend-approaches-to-managing-change-and-stress
(Examine and Discuss the Influence of Individual Resistance to Change, Essay)
https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1552092-examine-and-discuss-the-influence-of-individual-resistance-to-change-potential-sources-of-stress-and-consequences-in-organizations-recommend-approaches-to-managing-change-and-stress.
“Examine and Discuss the Influence of Individual Resistance to Change, Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1552092-examine-and-discuss-the-influence-of-individual-resistance-to-change-potential-sources-of-stress-and-consequences-in-organizations-recommend-approaches-to-managing-change-and-stress.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Influence of Individual Resistance to Change

New Perspective in Organisation Management

The main subject of this study is organizational culture and its resistance to change.... It speaks of the different ways organizations adopt for working.... In this respect the various theories and models pertaining to the study would be explained with special focus on the views, opinions and arguments presented by different authors....
13 Pages (3250 words) Essay

Cultural Syncretism and Resistance of Cultural Change

If syncretism had not been occurred, then the modern culture will be totally different since regions would have retained the group of individual (Chaudhuri & Strobel, 1992).... The disparities experienced by the two regions are when since syncretism means emergence of two groups of individual.... Cultural syncretism and resistance of cultural change Name Instructor Task Date Introduction Legacies of cultural syncretism in Africa and the Americas are compared to the resistance of cultural change westerners encountered in China and India....
3 Pages (750 words) Coursework

Employees Resistance to Organizational Change

For its discussion on change and resistance to change, this paper.... The following is a work of research on the concept of Organizational Change, with specific interest in employees' resistance to such change, and some of the models that were developed to implement such a change.... he models of change studied in the paper are Lewin's model, the Action Research Plan model and Kotter's eight stages of organizational change.... he above statement effectively summarises the context of this research interest, which deals with the concept of organizational change, with specific focus on employee resistance towards such a change in a given organization....
9 Pages (2250 words) Research Paper

Peer Influence on Individuals Behavior

Consequently, prospect friendship selection might reflect this change.... Thus, the adolescent social framework is best considered as being dynamic where choice and influence collaborate to generate both stability and change for the adolescent (Luo, et al.... Adolescent's confidence can be affected by how they perceive the grade of their individual peer group as compared to other groups.... Peer influence can be described as the process through which children nurture each other's attitudes and behavior, resulting into conformity within the group....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Reasons for an Organisation to Change

The paper "Reasons for an Organisation to change" has elaborated various resistances that an organisation faces introducing changes.... The study has described various internal and external forces which influence organisations to change.... It has discussed different resistances to change management and the consequences of failing to the organisational changes.... a) Demographic characteristics: A huge section of international organisations face this force to change as they are consist of a large number of culturally diversifies employees....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

The Rule of Change in Project Management: Drivers and Resistance in Saudi Arabia

The problem is resistance to change.... rained leaders do not take resistance to change as a problem.... Additionally, the study gave four reasons why giving people insights would be beneficial in avoiding resistance to change (Joseph, 2014).... he main problem of the research, will be to evaluate the drivers and resistance to change in organisations in Saudi Arabia.... It would be hard for firms to avoid change....
16 Pages (4000 words) Research Proposal

Change Management of Schools of Thought

This assignment "change Management of Schools of Thought" focuses on the change as an eminent factor when it seeks to move from its current state to the state that it desires its future to be.... The business environments require that organizations go through change under the leadership.... The process of implementing change in an organization is as important as the process of managing the same because the failure to do so might steer the organisation in the wrong direction....
13 Pages (3250 words) Assignment

Inscription of Bodies and Institutional Forms of Power

Institutional Control makes reference to the kind of influence that the institution has on the beliefs and behavior of actors within the institution, the Institutional agency explains the speed and efforts with which actors in an institution work to change or transform and disrupt the activities of an institution, while institutional resistance depicts the unending effort by actors in an institution to limit influences of institutional control and institutional agency on them....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us