Best Assignment on Strategic Management and Leadership

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Strategic management and leadership
Name of the student:
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Table of contents
Activity 1-Identification of change requirements and opportunities.........................................2
1. Things driving change........................................................................................................2
2. Identification of the need for change.................................................................................2
3. Persons concerned with acquiring the change...................................................................4
Activity 2- Developing change management strategies.............................................................4
Activity 3- Implementing change management strategies.........................................................8
Summative assessment I..........................................................................................................10
Summative Assessment 2.........................................................................................................14
Project..................................................................................................................................14
References................................................................................................................................17

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Activity 1-Identification of change requirements and
opportunities
1. Things driving change
Internal and external forces contribute towards change in an organization. The
requirements of the customers drive the changes, which needs to be implemented in the
products and services. The dimensions of change also includes operational processes,
organizational structure, safety requirements, legislation, profit and loss, organizational
culture, opportunities, threats, management decisions and others. Change is dependent on the
intensity of the situations, which is categorised as transformational and incremental (Hayes
2018). Depending on the type of the situation, small and large steps are planned for
upgrading the standards and quality of the performance. Along with this, change can be
consumer driven or workforce driven. Ethical forces along with the external environment also
lead to change.
Local, national and global change considerations also contribute to the organizational
change. In this context, it can be said that Ray of Hope Care Home needs to align the
performance for the formulation of corporate sustainability or knowledge economy. In this
sense, change can be considered as a product of people, process, technology, structure,
environment, performance management, competitors, and strategies among others. According
to the Kotter’s change management model, urgency towards change is a vital aspect for
enhancing the productivity (Cameron and Green 2019). For sensing the urgency, structure is
to be reviewed for maintaining the pace with the competitors.
2. Identification of the need for change
Analysis of the objectives and existing policies helps in identifying the need for
change. This analysis helps in measuring the prospective changes, which would be beneficial
for enhancing the productivity. Relevancy is an important aspect in this assessment. In this

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aspect, Doppelt (2017) is of the view that strategic objective might change, which indicates
the need for altering the processes of executing the operations. Objectives need to be clear,
precise, reliable and achievable, which can be measured through the means of SMART goals.
Environmental scanning can be conducted for the internal and external environment of the
Ray of Hope Care Home. This scanning would be effective for detecting the current trends,
issues, problems and opportunities, which envelops the business of Ray of Hope Care Home.
Risk assessment is one of the important aspect, which needs to be conducted for identifying
the obstacles and challenges, which can affect the productivity. Hiring the external agencies
helps in conducting the inspections, audits and reviews. Monitoring the trends in the external
environment is particularly assistance in terms of detecting the external forces and threats like
bargaining power of the buyers and suppliers; threat of substitutes and new entrants along
with competitive rivalry (Cook 2015). One of the important aspects of this analysis is the
detection of the trends, which affects the accomplishment of the identified and specified goals
and objectives.
An important benefit of the environment scanning is that it enhances the awareness
about the functional gaps in the performance. Bradley (2016) is of the view that spontaneity
in the approach is vital for achieving the change in accordance to the identified and the
specified requirements. As a matter of specification, spontaneity towards making the
modifications seems to be effective for achieving trust, loyalty and dependence from the
clients and the customers. Management structures and operational practices are adversely
affected through the performance gaps. One of the striking facts is that these gaps degrade the
organizational culture, which results in switch overs (Morin et al. 2016). This situation
compels Ray of Hope Care Home to look for alternative options for luring the clients and the
customers.

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Assessments and evaluations through tools like SWOT, PESTLE, and STEEP is
assistance for the Care Home regarding the detection of the threats and the opportunities,
which can be availed for adopting the proposed change. Altamony et al. (2016) is of the view
that negative events or forecasts do not lead to change. Change is the result of thorough
research regarding the new opportunities and avenues for expansion.
3. Persons concerned with acquiring the change
Teamwork is considered to be a cornerstone for enhancing the productivity. This
teamwork also constitutes towards transfer of the essential skills, competencies and abilities,
reducing the knowledge gaps and inadequacies. In this context, participative management
style is beneficial, as it involves the persons dealing with the operations, customer care
executives, suppliers, governmental agencies and associated partners. Discussions with the
stakeholders and shareholders improve the decision making process, making it fair and
transparent (Steigenberger 2015). These discussions are a platform for the stakeholders to
voice out the opinions regarding the issues, which they are facing while executing the
allocated duties and responsibilities.
Consultation and discussion enhances the creative thinking abilities, as the ideas
regarding solving the problems are shared. Quinn and Quinn (2016) states that consultation is
helpful in terms of mapping the mind-set of the staffs, which is assistance in task allocation.
Feedback is one of the effective means through which the personnel are involved in the
mainstream business of acquiring the change. Interactive sessions and evaluations on the
propositions is assistance for finding the root cause for possessing these kind of thoughts.
Activity 2- Developing change management strategies
1. Planning is central in terms of achieving the results as per the requirements and
expectations. Evaluation of the results helps in detecting the extent to which the results align
with the identified benchmarks. This planning is applicable in all of the aspects, including the

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achievement of change and its management. According to Dawson (2019), transformational
change needs effective planning for altering the business scenario by preserving the
traditional culture. Change management plans consist of the objectives, which improves the
focus of the business. Absence of plans results in chaotic conditions, resulting in delays in
making the orders as per the requirements. Time management is to be proper for the change
management plan to proceed in a proper sequence. At the initial stage, this planning is needed
for identifying the effectiveness of the available resources and the additional requirements.
However, Alvesson and Sveningsson (2015) propose contradiction that post project
evaluation plans also helps in improving the standards and quality of the operations.
According to the arguments of Al-Haddad and Kotnour (2015), a plan acts as a tool,
enabling the staffs to improve the communication with the stakeholders and shareholders.
This approach is fruitful in terms of enhancing the professional relationships. Disseminating
the plans through meetings helps the staffs to gain awareness about the rationale behind the
change. Presentations and seminars on the change management plans is assistance for
enhancing the awareness of the staffs about the project resources, goals, expectations and
resources needed to implement the changes. Strategic approach in this direction is appropriate
in terms of addressing the negativities and uncertainties. Mention can be made of the flow-on
effects, which helps in mapping the outcomes. Voet, Kuipers and Groeneveld (2016) also
suggests demand forecasting, which helps in maintaining the balance between the supply and
demand.
2. Cost benefit analysis helps in mapping the expenses against the expected benefits. Unless
and until the benefits and utility value is detected, the changes should not be applied. In this
case, short term and long term goal planning is necessary for securing the financial years. If
the benefits of change outweighs the cost, the outcomes are considered to be positive for the
changes. The expenses include incoming and outgoing operations, staff attitudes and the

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commitments towards executing the operations. Hanson, Melnyk and Calantone (2017) is of
the view that budget allocation enhances the awareness about the expenses behind the
training needs, resource requirements and others. Down time and slow time is considered
aligning the performance with the new processes and procedures.
The benefits of the cost and its analysis includes the dimensions of customer
satisfaction, quality assurance and control, new avenues and opportunities, satisfaction levels
and better profit margins.
3. Risk analysis is a technique, which is used for detecting the obstacles towards enhancing
the productivity. Risk management plans are effective for Ray of Hope Care Home in terms
of seeking the ways in which the risks can be mitigated. Risk management procedures are
beneficial, if external agents are hired for inspection, audits and reviews. Using the risk
assessment matrix helps in reducing the probability and likelihood of occurrence in the near
future (Butt, Naaranoja and Savolainen 2016). Consciousness in this approach seems to be
beneficial in terms of averting encountering negative outcomes. Problem solving techniques
are to be used for detecting the presence of any risks in the process of proposed change.
Consequence, likelihood and severity are the dimensions, which needs to be considered for
evaluating the scenarios in accordance to the required change.
4. The board panel is the supreme authority from whom approval needs to be collected for
initiating the activities for acquiring the proposed change. Along with this, steering
committee members are also contacted for gaining the updates about the plans for change.
Senior management teams, directors and CEOs are also contacted for gaining approvals for
adopting the proposed change (Georgalis et al. 2015).
5. Barriers are inseperable part of the business, which enhances the awareness regarding the
challenges, which act as an obstacle for executing the operations in an efficient and effective

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manner. This situation necessitates the need of planning changes for altering the business
outlook. The staffs also encounter barriers in the process of implementing the proposed
changes. The managers, who fear changes and loss of control act as the biggest challenge.
Differentiation of opinions is obstacle in terms of reaching to the final conclusion and
solution regarding implementation of the changes. Along with this, unhealthy organizational
culture also acts as a barrier in the process of acquiring the needed change. In this context,
Hanson, Melnyk and Calantone (2017) highlight the concerns regarding resistance towards
change and its perceptions. Poor communication skills are also a problem, which results in
knowledge inadequacies.
6. Inclusion of communication and educational plan in the strategies is beneficial in terms of
exposing the appropriate approach towards change. Engagement of the stakeholders in the
meetings, discussions and forums would diversify the processes leading to effective solutions
for resolving the potential issues and barriers towards acquiring the proposed change.
Involving the staffs in teamwork would act assistance in enhancing the unity and
coordination. Disseminating the information about the benefits would lead to the formation of
a healthy workplace culture, which invokes learning capacity for the staffs to embrace
professionalism (Al-Haddad and Kotnour 2015). Training would be an effective means for
briefing the staffs about the change, its purpose and urgency towards enhancing the
productivity.
7. Dawson (2019) states that once the groups are formed and their capabilities and
competencies are assessed, resources and budget allocation is necessary. This approach is
effective for gaining an insight into the expenses behind the project related activities.
Identification of the resources and the requirements and the allocation needs to be according
to the identified and specified objectives. Assessment of the costs is one of the important
aspects of adopting the change. Plans would be crucial, as it consists of the plan and the

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requirements. Regular follow ups of the plans need to be kept, as it impacts the plan, its
application, feasibility and viability in terms of executing the operations.
Activity 3- Implementing change management strategies
Change management strategies are effective in terms of organizing the operations
according to the requirements. Within this, Steigenberger (2015) points out that minimization
of the losses is crucial for averting the negativities, which can affect the process of enhancing
the productivity. Communicating with the staffs about the plans and strategies results in
collaboration. This reflects the consideration of shared values towards fulfilling the goals and
objectives. Training the staffs would be effective for enhancing their awareness about the
processes, procedures and the ways in which they can be achieved. Involving the
stakeholders in the decision-making processes would act assistance for averting the instances
of misunderstandings and conflicts. Morin et al. (2016) opines that continuous improvement
strategies are effective for deciding on the procedures, which assists in conducting the cost
benefit analysis and risk analysis.
Social media marketing is one of the ways in which the clients and the customers can
be informed about the changes. Timelines and action plans are needed for ensuring that the
balance between the activities is maintained at all operational levels. Evaluation of the
methods adopted for overcoming the changes would be beneficial for detecting whether they
are appropriate in terms of accomplishing the identified and the specified goals. Feedbacks
are effective in terms of assessing the differences in the opinions regarding the plans for
managing the changes (Cook 2015). Communicating with the staffs and managers would act
assistance for detecting the resistances towards adopting the changes, which can obstruct the
process of enhancing the productivity.

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After the opinions are collected, meetings need to be conducted regarding the ways
and means for promoting equality. Involving all of the stakeholders and shareholders would
develop commitment, dedication and perseverance towards executing the operations.
Supervision from the managers is assistance for conducting the performance management
reviews in accordance to the identified and specified requirements. Training for the staffs is
assistance for reducing the disruptions, which can obstruct the process (Cameron and Green
2019).
Strategizing the activities is necessary in terms of averting the negative instances.
New training procedures would enhance the awareness of the employees about the current
trends, which prevails in the competitive ambience of the market. Electronic communication
with customers is crucial for improving the stability in the relationship with the clients and
the customers. New approaches to relationship building include teleconferencing, which
would help in establishing contact with large number of staffs at the same time. Using this
technique would help in achieving infrastructural development, which enhances the standards
and quality of the operations. The managers need to indulge in meetings and discussions
regarding the formulation of the strategies for adopting the changes (Hayes 2018). New
approaches towards relationship building would reflect the consciousness towards enhancing
the standards and quality of the performance.
Strategic approach would be crucial for adopting the change in accordance to the
identified and the specified requirements. Mention can be made of the risk management
strategies, which would be effective for reducing the intensity of the potential risks.
Procedures need to be detected for enhancing the awareness about the effective ways in
which changes can be embraced. Disseminating the information about the change, which
needs to be achieved translates the process into normative, adding to the XYZ Solutions
LTDal culture. Herein lays the effectiveness of face to face communications, which

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contributes to review, evaluation and audits for the exposed performance. This type of
communication results in aversion to conflicts and differentiation of opinions (Doppelt 2017).
Plans act as a central doctrine for the Ray of Hope Care Home in terms of securing
the activities according to the requirements. Plans need to include the goals, resources
required, persons involved, time taken and monitoring mechanisms. Tracking and controlling
the operations is needed in terms of detecting the drawbacks, which needs to be modified
during the process of executing the project related activities. Indulging in meetings with the
board of directors with the consideration of the progress reports and drafts is assistance
regarding the achievements and the milestones, which are to be achieved for achieving
success. Revision of the plans would be vital for upgrading the standards and quality of the
operations for reaching to the identified and specified benchmarks. Within this, Bradley
(2016) is of the view that theories and models are crucial for delving deeper into the
situations and seeking effective options for managing the risks.
Monitoring is one of the crucial parameters, which helps in aligning the strategies
according to the requirements. In this case, the dimensions of monitoring are budget and
resource allocation, approvals, change plans, circumstances, evaluations, audits and reviews
are important. Checklists and templates are important in terms of assuring whether the
performance aligns with the identified and specified requirements. The plans and objectives
need to be aligned for maintaining the balance between the operations.
Summative assessment I
A1. Questioning the status quo is the initial stage of change management process and
cycle. This interrogation is assistance in terms of detecting the urgency and need for change,
which is followed by current and desired situation. In this context, Altamony et al. (2016) is
of the view that the expectations of the stakeholders needs to be considered for mapping their

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mind-set towards the issues governing the business of Ray of Hope Care Home. Internal and
external factors contributes towards the changes. Detection of the required change is done
through the means of teamwork, which helps in aligning the achievements to the type and
degree of the change required. Communicating the need for change is the cornerstone
towards implementing the initiatives towards implementing the changes.
Engagement of the people from all levels is necessary for Ray of Hope Care Home in
terms of diversifying the workplace culture. Sharing the designs of the change plans with the
staffs and proactive approach results in practicing design thinking (Quinn and Quinn 2016).
Following the Equality Act (2010) is assistance towards promoting unity and coordination
within the workplace of Ray of Hope Care Home. This approach relates to the regulatory
parameter towards enhancing the productivity according to the requirements.
Project management plans gains weightage on the inclusion of goal and objective
statement; description of the changes; list of deliverable, action plans, progress milestones,
quality requirements, specifications of the required resources. Along with this, mention can
be made of the work breakdown structure, which enhances the awareness about the roles and
responsibilities towards executing the project related activities and change. Action plans,
budget and cost benefit analysis are also integral parts of a project management plan
(Alvesson and Sveningsson 2015). Control mechanisms are also to be stated so that the focus
towards business improves. Consciousness towards adopting performance management
review systems is assistance for Ray of Hope Care Home in terms of upgrading the standards
and quality of the business operations. These plans actually saves time, money and other
resources of Ray of Hope Care Homein terms of exposing strategic approach towards
executing the business operations.

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Embedding change is also crucial for organizations like Ray of Hope Care Home in
terms of exposing appropriate approach towards adopting the change. Managerial roles and
responsibilities are crucial in terms of ensuring whether the staffs understand the urgency
towards changes. Voet, Kuipers. and Groeneveld (2016) opines that the foundation needs to
be flexible for averting the instances of resistances towards change. Awareness about culture
is a vital aspect for gaining trust, loyalty and dependence from the clients and customers.
Planning suitable training needs is necessary for ensuring that the skill competencies are in
alignment with the planned change. Communication is one of the essential aspects, which is
to be clear and transparent for averting the issues of misunderstanding and conflicts.
Sharing the plans among the stakeholders provides a direction to the business, which
improves the focus of Ray of Hope Care Home towards implementation of the changes.
Inclusion of SMART goal criteria is actually assistance in terms of measuring the extent to
which the goals are realistic and achievable (Butt, Naaranoja and Savolainen 2016).
Feedbacks and evaluations are effective for Ray of Hope Care Home to map the results and
the benefits, which the clients can avail for fulfilling the needs, demands and requirements.
Acknowledging the contribution of the staffs through celebrations, improves the public
relations for XYZ Solutions Ptv Ltd. This approach helps in developing a positive workplace
culture.
A2. According to the arguments of Georgalis et al. (2015), normative perspective of change
leads to less barriers in the operations. The resistance level is also low. Positivity prevails in
the aspect of communicating the plans. Consciousness towards maintaining the traditional
core values outweighs the cultural barriers. Internal drivers of changes are constituted as an
initiative towards preparing the staffs towards the proposed change. On the contrary, Hayes
(2018) states that new market conditions and forces impacts the organizational behaviour in
case of Ray of Hope Care Home. However, it is the managerial roles and responsibilities,

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which is directed towards formulation of the change management strategies with thorough
inspection of the situations and scenarios through theoretical considerations.
Consumer needs, demands and requirements also contributes towards altering the
change management strategies. Variability in this aspect contradicts the traditionalism, which
is to be maintained while planning for the changes. Consciousness towards maintaining the
traditionalism invokes the sustainability approach towards altering the business scenario.
Economic forces also drive the Ray of Hope Care Home business towards profit. However,
Doppelt (2017) is of the view that the change also needs to be made in terms of the culture.
For this, the scope and arena of the business needs to be extended towards the community
development. In this context, mention can be made of the Ethical code of conduct, which
shapes the behaviour of Ray of Hope Care Home according to the requirements.
A3. Poor communication skills degrades the workplace culture of XYZ Solutions Ptv Ltd.
Managers with improper skills, competencies and abilities need to be properly trained for
getting the desired results. Resistances towards change are also to be controlled in terms of
developing a positive workplace culture. Current power structures are also to be assessed for
mapping the competencies and capabilities. Inadequacies needs more focus for upgrading the
standards and quality of the operations (Cook 2015). Discussions and sessions are effective in
terms of removing the knowledge gaps regarding the change and its management.
Transparency in the meetings and decision making are crucial for averting the instances of
dilemma, biases, conflicts and misunderstandings.
Involving the affected in the risk assessment and management strategy planning
would help in seeking effective means for reducing the potential risks. In this context, () is of
the view that design thinking skills are enhanced through mapping of the mindset towards
practical application of the learnt skills. Feedback sessions are beneficial in terms of

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collecting ideas and suggestions for embracing the change in an efficient and effective
manner. The managers of Ray of Hope Care Home employed at different levels need to be
included in the decision making processes. This approach would act as their empowerment
towards luring the staffs towards the proposed change. One of the striking facts is that this
approach would enhance the leadership skills, competencies and abilities of the managers,
making them a People’s Leader (Bradley 2016). As a result of this, a positive working culture
would be developed in Ray of Hope Care Home, establishing the normative perception of
change, making it a necessity. Rewards and recognitions empower the staffs, concretizing
their experiences. Monitoring the strategies would be crucial for Ray of Hope Care Home in
terms of ensuring their effectiveness in the current business scenario.
Summative Assessment 2
Project
A4. Ray of Hope Care Home is a non-profit organization, aiming to serve the mankind. As a
matter of specification, the organization provides shelter to the victims affected of social
malice like alcohol addiction, domestic violence, sexual abuse, poor, homelessness and
others. The vision of the organization is to enhance the standards of living for these people,
so that they also feel an important part of the mainstream society. The mission of the
organization is to achieve higher customer satisfaction through the provision of quality care
and support (Steigenberger 2015).
A5. I think change is necessary in the customer service function in order to gain their trust,
dependence and loyalty. Mention can be made of the poor maintenance, which has compelled
Ray of Hope Care Home to encounter complaints, which has resulted in switch over.
Recruiting skilled and efficient housekeeping staffs would increase the standards and quality
of the maintenance services.

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A6. I gained an insight into the fact that the bed sheets were not properly washed. along with
this, I also found that the food storage area is not hygienic, which is resulting in sickness and
diseases among the customers. One of the customer was complaining about the delivery of
stale foods. Moreover, there was delay in getting the treatments. From the management, I
came to know about the changes in selection and recruitment of customer case executives,
housekeeping staffs and caregivers.
A7. Feedbacks were collected by surveying the customers admitted in Ray of Hope Care
Home and managers.
A8.
Rationale for change: Upgrading the standards and quality of care in Ray of Hope Care Home
Change objectives:
 To revise the recruitment and selection policies of Ray of Hope Care Home
 To revise the architectural plan of the food storage area of Ray of Hope Care Home
A9. At the initial stage, planning would be done for communicating the need for adopting the
change. This plan would include the objective, deliverables, work break down structure, roles
and expectations. Along with this, strategies would also be mentioned in the plans, which
would be shared with the employees in the meetings and sessions.
A10. Evaluation and monitoring the performance would help Ray of Hope Care Home in
estimating the feasibility in terms of embracing the change for achieving higher customer
satisfaction. For this, performance management systems, 360 degree feedbacks, performance
appraisals would be adopted.

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References
Al-Haddad, S. and Kotnour, T., 2015. Integrating the organizational change literature: a
model for successful change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 28(2), pp.234-
262.
Altamony, H., Al-Salti, Z., Gharaibeh, A. and Elyas, T., 2016. The relationship between
change management strategy and successful enterprise resource planning (ERP)
implementations: A theoretical perspective. International Journal of Business Management
and Economic Research, 7(4), pp.690-703.
Alvesson, M. and Sveningsson, S., 2015. Changing organizational culture: Cultural change
work in progress. Routledge.
Bradley, G., 2016. Benefit Realisation Management: A practical guide to achieving benefits
through change. Routledge.
Butt, A., Naaranoja, M. and Savolainen, J., 2016. Project change stakeholder
communication. International Journal of Project Management, 34(8), pp.1579-1595.
Cameron, E. and Green, M., 2019. Making sense of change management: A complete guide to
the models, tools and techniques of organizational change. Kogan Page Publishers.
Cook, N.D., 2015. Crisis management strategy: Competition and change in modern
enterprises. Routledge.
Dawson, P., 2019. Reshaping change: A processual perspective. Routledge.
Doppelt, B., 2017. Leading change toward sustainability: A change-management guide for
business, government and civil society. Routledge.

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Georgalis, J., Samaratunge, R., Kimberley, N. and Lu, Y., 2015. Change process
characteristics and resistance to organisational change: The role of employee perceptions of
justice. Australian Journal of Management, 40(1), pp.89-113.
Hanson, J.D., Melnyk, S.A. and Calantone, R.J., 2017. Core values and environmental
management: a strong inference approach. In Strategic Sustainability (pp. 91-103).
Routledge.
Hayes, J., 2018. The theory and practice of change management. Palgrave.
Morin, A.J., Meyer, J.P., Bélanger, É., Boudrias, J.S., Gagné, M. and Parker, P.D., 2016.
Longitudinal associations between employees’ beliefs about the quality of the change
management process, affective commitment to change and psychological
empowerment. Human Relations, 69(3), pp.839-867.
Quinn, R.W. and Quinn, R.E., 2016. Change management and leadership development have
to mesh. Harvard Business Review, 1(7), pp.2-4.
Steigenberger, N., 2015. Emotions in sensemaking: a change management
perspective. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 28(3), pp.432-451.
Van der Voet, J., Kuipers, B.S. and Groeneveld, S., 2016. Implementing change in public
organizations: The relationship between leadership and affective commitment to change in a
public sector context. Public Management Review, 18(6), pp.842-865.