Managing Organizational Change Resistance

This assignment analyzes the challenges of implementing organizational change and the resulting employee resistance. It highlights the importance of training techniques in facilitating a smooth adaptation process for workers. The text draws upon various academic sources to discuss successful strategies for managing change within organizations.

LEADING AND MANAGING
CHANGES

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................1
TASK............................................................................................................................................................1
I) Planned and unplanned approach of change.......................................................................................1
2) Consider a business strategy and external factors that impact on business.......................................1
3) Implications of relevant theory for human resource department.......................................................3
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
In today's business world, the most complex situation of leaders or managers in an
organisation is leading and managing changes. Due to technological advancement and increasing
in number of competitors, trends in marketplace are changing at high rates. Therefore, superiors
of companies needs to focus properly on occurrence as it would necessary for their firms in
getting growth and expansions. It would drive by many factors like sophisticated peoples, life
styles of customers, innovations in techniques and more (Dhillon, 2013). Leaders take
responsibility to initiate changes and managing it properly in company as it would directly
impacts on business performance. In context with this, how managers and leaders initiate such
changes in enterprises a report is preparing on Apple Company. It is a technological firm which
operates the business at multinational level. Since its complete operations are based on
technology so, managers should consider all trends which may aid them in creating favourable
conditions. This report entails the way of management that enterprise use to grab information
about trends in marketplace and how it will prove beneficial for business if they implement such
changes.
CASE Study: Apple is a technological firm which operates its business in
telecommunications sector. It has invented various products like I-phone of different ranges
which is really hard for competitors to imitate the same. This process would help in gaining
largest market share at UK and in other countries. Recently it has launched new product I phone-
6 but just after few months it has discovered next version of same phone i.e. I-phone-7. So this
file has shown why this company has launched two versions of phone. If this decisions was its
planned strategies or unplanned. Along with, it has also revealed upon a case which dicuss in
brief about Robbins and Coulter’s concept in change management.
I) Planned and unplanned approach of change
Apple is one of the leading company that manufactures mobile phone and other
technological items which consumers can use for making their life easier. For developing their
product they are going through a systematic procedure in order to make best quality products.
The term change management refers to systematic approach which states how
modifications will affect working systems, people of organisation and all associated people who

work in corporations. Creating changes in organisational goals and objectives according to
demand of market impacts much on production (Linsky and Lawrence, 2011)Behind
implementing changes, main motive of managers in a firm is to formulate new strategies and
polices which may affect whole working operations. Such policies demand control over system
and production as well as should cover a proper structured procedure. Alterations in working
operations arise many problems like employee resistivity, demand of training and learning
programmes, etc. Apart from this, management should consider if such changes are really
beneficial for its enterprise. However, changes involve many risks like it sometimes may impact
on growth of a company negatively also.
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Changes are not always welcomed by major portion of companies as it affects
productivity of workers, managers and all people of association. Bringing new technologies in
firm creates insecurity in staff members, as they feel hesitated and uncomfortable on doing work
with such techniques. But in order to imply such changes on workers, leaders and managers
should co-operate each other for reducing their resistivity. They should provide necessary
training to employees so that they develop skills and knowledge for the same. Training aid
workers to feel comfortable and familiar with new techniques as well as tell them how to work
on that. Along with this, in order to lead changes successfully, superiors need to provide short-
term goals to employees which they can gain easily after adapting changes. Accomplishing
short-term targets help in bringing up morale of people of companies and encourage them to
accept changes (Zhang, 2013). This aids management to maintain positivity in environment and
managing healthy working relationship with associated people. But sometimes introducing
changes can be painful; it could impact negatively on growth and success of company as well as
sustainability at marketplace. Therefore, before initiating changes leaders need to talk workers
around them about what company is planning for increasing sales performance and increasing its
profitability. Discussing about changes and taking opinions on the same from workers help in
reducing conflicts and resistance. Along with this, in order to manage changes within
organisation its management and leaders giving best contribution in implementing the same into
workforce. Normally, there are two approaches which impact on change management is planned
and unplanned. In context with Apple company, these approaches are used in implementation of
changes accordingly. In order to increase in competition, this firm has taken white water
metaphor which assists with a planned change by concerning on its values. Certain
characteristics of white metaphor helps Apple Company in identification of requirement of
changes are- Survey feedback, Process consultation and team development. In addition to deal
with changes, it has taken model of change matrix.
Change matrix: It works to motivate, manage and evaluate measure of changes, a
company used change matrix. It helps in transforming current state of Apple Company to
desired. This matrix forces companies to redefine their vision, mission and approaches.
Therefore, for this process employers of Apple Company has changes vision i.e. to anyhow made
modifications in products and adds value to make them more beneficial for customer satisfaction.
Along with this, they motivate employers to adopt alterations in working pattern. In order to
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accomplish vision, managers adopt white water metaphor in place of calm water to make
changes at fast rate. Therefore it can be concluded that white water affect is apparent in the
undertaken organisation i.e. Apple. The speed at which innovation is being practised in the
organisation is known to turbulence in the manner operations are being fulfilled in an
organisation. It is an result of the collaborative efforts which are put in by the members of the
organisation in order to create revolutionary technological gadgets.
In 2013, Robbins and Coulter present two metaphors that are calm water and white water.
Calm water metaphor refers to change that gradually occurs in external environment of business.
Generally such changes happen at periodical or temporary basis which demands managers to
recognise on daily basis in order to avail benefits. In context with Apple Company, initially this
company start its business operations by following calm water metaphor. It shows that this firm
does not introduce changes in rapid manner in its operations and productions. Reason behind that
is lack of technology due to which it enables to create modifications much on regular basis.
Hence, product of this company are comparable not much innovative and creative which impacts
on overall performance and brand image.
Therefore, in order to introduce innovations in products including mobile phones,
computers, media players etc. Apple Company adopts white water metaphor. It refers to rapid
and fast changes which also occur in external atmosphere of businesses consists great impact on
production and operational activities of a firm. Thus, such process helps this firm to bring
innovations and inventions by adopting new technologies in its working system. Due to this,
today this company has become one of the most established organisations whose products are
unbeatable by any firms. Its products and services consists latest innovations and of high rates
(Zhang, 2013). It never compromise with price strategies as well as does not offer any discounts
just to increase its sales. Along with this, in order to manage changes within organisation its
management and leaders giving best contribution in implementing the same into workforce.
Normally, there are two approaches which impact on change management is planned and
unplanned. For instance: Apple is an organisation which is renowned to incorporate changes
which are disruptive in nature. The innovation and alteration which is introduced in the market is
so frequent that it is able to create a major effect upon its internal as well as external
environment. This organisation is known to launch a new product every year which does match
to its predecessor is a results of the immense hard work that is put in by the employees. All the
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aspects of the device are so frequently altered that it leads to create a white water effect upon the
organisation.
Planned Approach: It reflects that a company used to implement changes by reviewing
strategies of rivals and analysing impacts of the same on working organisation (Janes and et. al.,
2013). Therefore, in context with Apple Company, management of this firm used to analyse all
positive and negative impact of action before planning its activities. Along with this, before
making decisions in launching innovations in working operations, managers needs to concern on
variance of changes. For example: Apple have introduced face recognition application so that
more security can be provided to individuals. Other than this, it enables them in keeping their
data more secure. There are two types of changes that are included in; planned approach of
change and description of both sort are as followed:
Planned Internal Change: For reaching goals and set targets, a company needs planned
internal change which is a strategic movement. It demands a firm to transform objectives into
action. With this assistance, Apple has introduced innovation in its mobile phones like
fingerprint scanner. It forced other companies to implement the same if they want to remain in
competition but in different way (Gupta, 2011). This includes following some factors as
described below:-
Products differentiation: In order to launch same technology for creating modifications,
manager of a firm needs to analyse strengths and weaknesses of competitors who already use the
same by SWOT technique.
Changing Administrative System: Modification in administrative function refers to make
changes in management. This alteration enables an organisation in manipulating its brand image
at marketplace. Therefore, Apple has made changes in organisational system and working pattern
in order to take competitive advantages. This process is brings more effectiveness in operational
activities.
Planned External Change: It includes factors which impacts on business environment
from outside. Technological changes, government rules and legislations, economical conditions
etc. forced companies to bring modifications in their working conditions after planning in a
proper way (Murray, 2011). This would help management of Apple Company in launching new
products appropriately with all legal formalities so that they can gain competitive advantages as
well as remain constant at marketplace. It states that when Apple launches its products having
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new technologies, management has made various action plans by analysing needs of
marketplace. They also measure the positive and negative impact of such actions on business.
Planned approaches help in making changes according to demands of marketplace and
development of technologies.
Including these factors, some other elements which need to analyse by Apple Company
in planning the change management are:-
Governmental Regulations: It includes unplanned variations which states that an
organisation cannot forecast future changes for bring modifications in operations. Apart from
this, if a firm like Apple Company wants to expand its business at global level then it needs to
plan according to legislations of countries. But if government policies will changes at the time of
launching then it will impact on business in a negative way as well as brings many barriers in
entry of new regions.
Global Economic Competition: Economic conditions of a territorial region create much
pressure on operations and sales performance of a company (Murray, 2011). Like, Apple offers
its product on high prices which may not possible for some people who have low wages to
purchase. Therefore, it needs to bring flexibility in prices according to purchasing power of
people and economic conditions of countries where it trade the products.
Justifications: From this analysis, it has cleared that Apple Company always carry its
operations with latest technologies and brings timely innovations in products and working
pattern of employees which helps in gaining sustainability and competitive advantages. It has
used both types of metaphor that are calm water and white water policies according to
requirement (Gaynor and Muir, 2014). As per changes in technologies, this company has brought
alterations in working pattern and association. Its innovative products have acquired major part
of regions.
It can be said that changes which are undertaken by Apple are planned in nature.
Undertaken organisation is known for its innovation and creative capabilities and attempts to
redefine the manner in which technological devices are being utilised. This capability of change
rises with the internal climate within the organisation. The inventions which being carried out by
this organisation acts as trendsetter and enforces other institution to adopts the same if they wish
to sustain their operations in the market. The forward thinking of the management ensures that
products which are formed can be utilised by the organisation can be used in the future as well.
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While carrying out invention the external factors are also taken into consideration so that there is
an minimum impact on the business operations.
According to Janes, Apple has taken approaches of planned changes due to demand of
marketplace. As stated in case study, when this company has launched its iPhone 7 and iPhone 8
after few months of iPhone 6 then it is planned strategy of them. The main reason behind this is
products of same technology of competitors at reasonable prices. Therefore, to gain superior
position at marketplace, Apple Company has launched another version of phone having
innovative and unbeatable features which holding the best position for long term basis.
Launching a new model is planned strategies due to emergence of new companies having same
features of smartphone and on reasonable prices. Its main competitors are Vivo, Redmi,
Samsung etc.
2) Consider a business strategy and external factors that impact on business
Every organisation has its own different kinds of strategies and policies through which
various aspects of business can be conducting in order to gain better outcomes. These dissimilar
technique and methods are responsible which prepares a peaceful and unique environment or
cultural of specific organisation. It is well known that current scenario of market is all about
rapidly changing trends which impacts of flexible needs and demands of people. Due to this fact,
companies have to implement necessary modifications into these strategies to make better plan
of action by which they become capable to generate desired product or services to complete
expectations of customers (Anderson, 2016). Apple Company has to observe and analyse several
elements to apply suitable changes into it for gaining desirable targets on regular basis. This will
facilitate to attract new clients along with retaining current ones by improving brand image of
organisation. To adopt trendy changes into company, it is necessary for Apple plc to render
proper training and learning procedures to make them able for work on these suitable
modifications in appropriate manner to build more profits.
Calm water strategy:- This kind of strategy can be described as that technique in which
changes and modifications are carrying out in slow process. In this, employees can easily adopt
them and perform on it properly. There are various kind of events and procedures are essential
for conducting by Apple Company. Slow implementation of fresh ideas facilitate that each and
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every staff members are able to understand it in comfortable way. It is helpful for conducting
several projects so that people can work with fresh concept properly. Employees resistance to
change is almost nil in this types of method of applying change in Apple Company. This
technique impacts directly on productivity and profitability in negative manner.
White water strategy:- It includes that criteria through which rapid changes are
observed in an organisation. Regular and fast modifications in Apple Company are helpful to
make themselves up to date as per changing trends of market. In such types of changes employee
resistance towards adopting new concepts is usually very high (Spillane, 2015). This is due to
human nature because they are unable to accept fresh things as they become habitual to current
working environment and do not want to change it. Employees required time to understanding
and make them capable to work on them. It reflects into regular performance of them.
Reason for calm water shift to white water strategy:- Apple Company have to conduct a
n appropriate shift of calm water to white water strategy to make organisation up to date. It is
necessary for company to make significant changes into policies and techniques to prepare
accurate featured goods or services as per desires of customers. It is very common about rapid
modifications into fashion of market which facilitates to face flexible demands of people in
different scenarios (Doherty, Horne and Wootton, 2014). Due to this reason Apple Company has
to make rapid changes into its methods and strategies so that they can manufacture such products
which are suitably correct to complete expectations and desires of consumers. They required
rendering more efficient learning programs to improve skills of employees that make them
capable to easy pick up concepts of new idea and work on it effectively.
Impacts of external factors on business aspects while applying changes
External factors the key elements that might have impact an organization, these aspects are
outside of a firm but can be influence a business while shifting in other country. Political factors:- There are several political authorities who are surviving in particular
society having their own rules and norms. It is important for Apple Company to follow
their regulations and conditions while applying any kind of fresh concept or ideas.
Regular modifications in political rules and instability of their terms regarding taxation or
many more aspects impacts on business procedures of this firm in negative way. Apple is
heavily dependent on China because of its lower manufacturing cost, along with China, it
also has manufacturing plants in Korea, Czech Republic and Ireland. If in any
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circumstances the policies changes in the country then it can be harmful for the business.
Tax policy and manufacturing conditions changes that can implement bad issues for
trading. Economic factors:- These are related with annual income of company, interest rates,
currency devaluation and many more. It is important for Apple Company to take care of
various elements relevant to economy (Whitelaw, 2012). In this context, this company
has got affected by changes of pricing strategies of its competitive organisation. The
manufacturing of products for this enterprise are carried out in China. Therefore any
changes in the market such as increase in import duties, VAT and other taxes will
definitely carry a negative impact upon the sales of this organisation. Social factors:- There are different types of rules and norms of society which are
mandatory to follow by organisation. It is important to conduct promotional activities in
such manner so that it will not harm values or beliefs of certain communities and groups
of people. Because they object to it which may reduce sales and profits of Apple
Company. The trends and preferences of the people are favourable for this organisation,
therefore this organisation have opted for premium pricing for their products and
services. If any person who own products and services of this enterprise tend to be
perceived as classy. This trend have been so fast that every individual wishes to own an
iPhone. Apple's growth can be go on hike when consumer raise their demand in the area
like Africa whereas in China ethical concerns limits the appeal of products and that social
criteria effects the demand of product. Technological factors:- There are various types of technological methods are
implementing in every company. This is due to gain faster and better outcomes on regular
basis. Various software and techniques are adopted by Apple plc to make its products and
services more attractive or effective. These factors impacts in both negative and positive
way. Technology improves outputs but due to small technical errors entire working gets
stopped. Apple has rivals like Google and Samsung, that replicate the products and apps,
these competitors serving the same apps and services that has the similar capabilities that
states that Apple is not offering unique services, thus consumer has limited products and
has the boundary on market, the maximized use of smartphones and tablets are reduced
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the deamd of Apple's phone, along with increasing cyber crime make the products less
secure. Legal factors: - There are different types of rules and legislations are building by
government or legal authorities that must be followed by each and every organisation.
These legal regulations may also modify so that Apple plc have to get their business up
date as per these rules. It is important for them to follow these norms for carrying out
business successfully. It is essential for this organisation to undertake legislation such as
minimum wages, health and safety practices and diversity and equality in an organisation.
They are frequently modified by the government leading to create white water effect
upon organisation.
 Environmental factors: - It is basically related to different issues or problems of nature
which are arising due to conducting several industrial procedures. In context of apple plc,
they have to use ozone friendly fuel for those vehicles which are using for distribution of
product in market as per demand of customers (Galliers and Leidner, 2014). Many other
activities are also harmful for natural environment as certain types of wastages are
generated by firms so that they required taking care of this by using raw material through
recycling process. The biggest environmental factor issue for Apple is nonworking and
disposal electronic devices, because the lithium battaries has a high disposable cost, that
increases the environment pollution.
By analysing above information it has been identified that calm water and white water
has their own impacts on business concern. Both of them have positive as well as negative
impacts on different context. It is also necessary to observe and analyse various external factors
while implementing any changes or modification in Apple Plc. Because these elements affects
directly or indirectly on organisational operations.
3) Implications of relevant theory for human resource department
Kotter”s Change management theory- this theory is given by Kotter which includes major
steps. modification is necessary because business environment is dynamic in nature. described
of all these is below:-
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Increase the urgency for change- in first step of change management urgency of change is
determined and are in which it is required should be highlighted (Eacott, 2014).This also
include identifying various opportunities which state scope of alteration. Building a team dedicated to change- for implementing these changes there is
requirement of team who can work on this modification process. Without team work no
work can be done properly in effective manner. create the vision for change- in this step vision must be created so employees can work
according to that. Because without knowing vision no one can work properly according
to that. Vision gives guidelines that how person involve in changing process have to
work. communication the need for change- there should be proper communication in
organisation who are involved in the process of modification. Every individual should
have proper information about the alteration which is implementing in company. Empower staff with the ability to change- when changes are implementing in enterprise
its not possible that personnel always have positive attitude towards it. So its work of
manager and leader to motivate them towards the modification to take them in positive
way. Converting negative into positive is necessary because this can effect overall
working of business.
Create short term goals- task should be divide in short part as well their goals also because this
create positive environment as well work will done in effective manner. Instead of this, it
encourage employees when they achieve any goal. Such goals help in achieving entire
objectives and goal of business. Stay persistent –when modification are implemented it give adverse effect also so with
this staff member should not get demotivate. Because stay persistent is key for future
success. Although change management require daily working on it. Make the change permanent – it is last step of change management in this Apple have
to make modification permanent. If modification is beneficial for organisation then they
have to make them permanent.
Implications of human resource department: -
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In this Human resource department manager have to understand all the function of each
and every department. Because it is their work to placing right person at right place. If this
activity is not done in proper manner than can give major impact on working of business. Along
with this, policies gives by human resource department is important because they provide several
guideline, rules and regulation (Apostolou and et. al., 2011). As well give that how much
resources are used by which department and optimal resources of resources is necessary.
HR department is most important and play vital role in entire activity of business. As well
they are involved in each decision making.
 It is very important to management to embed latest vision and values in terms of
innovation and creativity so that success relates to business could be attained. There is a
needs to create a culture who is forward looking, strategic and creative so that business
objectives could be attained.
 There is a needs to redesign human resources policies and are to be more inclined in
encouraging productive behaviour and motivation so that employees turn out to be more
profitable for an organisation.
 Performance management system are designed to monitor and manipulate employee
performance in an organisation. The refinement in the system will help in being familiar
with numerous other aspects which are yet untouched by this organisation.
 Developing training program: For implementing training program in organisation there
is requirement of several new skills and knowledge. Along with this for enhancing these
things company have to design proper training nad development program for their
employees.
 Developing leadership capabilities: Working on modification there is requirement of
continuous monitoring and managing so work can be done in effective manner. All these
are work of leader to manage entire working of company.
 Preparing Informational document: All the important document containing
information should be prepared according to changes implemented. So that their will be
proof for future and present if required.
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CONCLUSION
As per discussion in this assignment, it has concluded that managers and brings of every
business organisation are required to make coordination in order to know the concept of changes
that assists them to make alteration in operations and working pattern of company. Analysis on
requirement of changes helps firms to plan accordingly. This would help in understanding
benefits for improvement of performance level. Modification in existing products or making new
ones attract customers to avail them for long purpose which would help in gaining high
competitive advantage. Along with this, as it has read in this report that implementing changes in
working organisation sometimes creates employee resistivity. So, it has forced management to
reduce the impact of resistance by facilitating training techniques so that workers can adapt
changes in a desired manner.
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REFERENCES
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