Organizational Change and Development: Theory, Examples, and Recommendations

QUESTION 1 - Companies are often responsive to emergent (unplanned) changes from
the internal factor perspectives. Using relevant theory and business examples, analyse
the links between organisational change and organisation development and make some
recommendations about the future organisational development strategy.
Change is deliberate and inevitable which can occur in planned and unplanned
manner. The change which occurs in unplanned manner can be termed as emergent change.
Through implementing change management strategies, an organization can follow systematic
approach of dealing with change in an organization’s objective and processes. Organizational
change refers to actions which are taken by companies to alter major elements of their
business. Organizational change is the producers of brining change and difference to the
existing process and approach which has been followed by the company. Organizational
development is the is the approach of an organization which focuses on improving the
organizations capacity through which they can successfully align business strategy, structure,
people, rewards and management processes.
Link between organizational change and organizational development
Stage theory of organizational change- Stage theory of organizational change is based
on the fact that a business goes through a series of steps through the process of change. Each
stage of change theory is the stepping stone for development of business. According to this
theory of change and development, change can be incorporated by following four stages,
which are- awareness of a problem and possible solutions, decisions to adopt the innovation,
modifying organizational structure and institutionalization.
To bring organizational change, the organization must identity the problem and
possible solutions which will help them in forming decisions through which they can adopt
change and innovation. In the third stage, the company will redefine innovation and
modifying organizational structure which will help in organizational development. In the last
stage, the company will make innovation a part of organization where they can make
innovation a part of ongoing activity of business.
For example, Netflix has been delivering movies to customers on a monthly
subscription basis since 1997. The company faced various issues related to technological
advancements which made the brand understood the value of online mediums which can
support in organizational development. The adaptation of disruptive technology allowed
customers to enjoy movies at their leisure and avoid late fees which have been charged by

other companies. The company understood the importance fusing technology which can drive
innovation and this such adaptation helped the company to embrace change and create a
string customer base.
Recommendations for future organization development strategy
Some of the suggestions for future organizational development strategy which can be
focused by any organization are-
 The change strategy must be clearly communicated which will help in empowering
and supporting employees which will help the organization in embracing change. This
will also support business avoiding scenarios of employee resistance to change which
will not affect development and growth of the organization.
 The emergent approach to change which can be focused by any business is that they
can understand the assumption that change is not a liner and not a predictable process.
Therefore, business must accept change which will help the organization to focus in
their development through which they can retain their competitive position within the
industry.
QUESTION 2 - Diversity is important to company’s development and progression.
However, many companies fail to understand and form a strategy that works to support
the advantages which the diversity of workforce can bring. Using relevant academic
underpinning and business examples, discuss and make recommendations on how
companies can create an environment that the workforce knows exactly what being part
of a truly inclusive diverse workforce involves and the advantages that this can bring to
the organisation.
Diversity in workplace is the acceptance and inclusion of employees who belong to
different backgrounds. A diverse workplace can be an asset for an organization as this can
strengthen the position of an organization by encouraging each employee to perform best up
to their capabilities through which organizational efficiency can be enhanced.
The approaches which can be followed by an organization to create an inclusive
diverse working environment, are explained below:
 Value people from diverse cultures- In order to bring diversity to an organization,
business must value different backgrounds and cultures. This will be helpful in
attracting and onboarding employees of different background which will be helpful in

creating diversified workforce. Such practices will be helpful in enhancing
organizational performance and ensure business is meeting their targets in
constructive manner.
 Bring diversity into company policies and practices- By developing company
policies which are more diversity friendly will be helpful in attracting competent
candidates from diverse background which will be helpful in creating a diverse
workforce. Business can also focus on offering equal opportunities to which can boost
employee morale and retain greater number of employees from diverse backgrounds
which will be helpful in creating an inclusive workforce.
 Conduct diversity training- Diversity training will very certainly be required for the
executive team and other leaders, which will most likely surprise them when it
discloses their weaknesses. They might then utilize their acquired knowledge to
implement comprehensive culture and sensitivity training across the organization.
For example, Alibaba is one of the giant e-commerce company which has set a great
example for bringing diversity to the workplace. The founder of the company, Jack Ma
referred women as the secret sauce for their business success and dominance in the industry.
The company is an example of workplace diversity where the company can define the gender
diversity can be eliminated and this will help in boosting organizational performance and
maximize business profitability.
Advantages
Some of the benefits which can be faced by business due to workplace diversity are listed
underneath:
 Increased productivity- Diverse working scenario will allow and encourage more
ideas and processes. Productivity of employees and overall organization can be
enhanced by employees from diverse backgrounds which will assist the organization
in using different ideas and approaches through which they can enhance
organizational productivity and strengthen the competitive position within
organization. As an organization will involve employees with different perspective
and potentials, this can enhance organizational productivity.
 Enhanced creativity- Creativity can be enhanced as by working with employees who
belong from different backgrounds, this will offer the opportunity of learning from