BTEC Higher National Unit 17: Understanding and Leading Change Report

This report analyzes change management within Hong Kong Post, a governmental postal service. It begins with an executive summary and table of contents, followed by an introduction highlighting the importance of organizational change in a competitive business environment. The report then provides background information on Hong Kong Post, including its mission and values. A SWOT analysis is conducted to identify the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which helps to pinpoint the drivers of change, such as the current political and economic environment, innovation, technology, and resource availability. The report then explores the impact of change on the organization's strategy, operations, leadership, and individual and team behavior. It discusses measures to minimize negative impacts and examines different forces for change and their influence on leadership decision-making. The report also evaluates the effectiveness of various leadership approaches in change management, providing examples and concluding with recommendations.

Running head: UNIT 17
UNIT 17
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Executive summary
The primary purpose of the report is to highlight the different issues which are generally faced by
the firms which ae highly competitive. Hence, this report aims to undertake how the change will
be implemented in the firms operations due to the organizational structure, drivers of change and
other associations. The chosen firm is Hong Kong post. Recommendations based on adaptability
in the firm, reducing negativity and encouraging the child’s health are considered critically.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
About the firm: Hong Kong Post.....................................................................................................3
Conduct an audit of business environment and identify different drivers of change......................3
SWOT analysis............................................................................................................................3
Drivers of change.............................................................................................................................5
The change.......................................................................................................................................6
Analyze the impact of change and the effects it has upon the organization’s strategy and
operations.........................................................................................................................................6
Impact of change on leadership, individuals and team behavior.....................................................8
Measures that can be taken to minimize negative impacts of change on organizational behavior
.......................................................................................................................................................10
Different forces for change and explain how they influence leadership decision-making............10
Effectiveness of different leadership approaches in change management with a range of
illustrated examples.......................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12

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Introduction
The current business environment is highly competitive in nature and in association with
the different enterprises will be essentially required to undertake relative changes which would
then encourage the use of new business models, products , technology and other initiatives which
may then have an impact on the manner in which the enterprise generally performs (Al-Haddad
and Kotnour 2015). In association with this, it becomes effectively critical to ensure that all
organizations as present in the business environment will be able to identify these key drivers of
change which exist in the environment and based on this, are being able to undertake adequate
initiatives with the help of which they will be able to attain their goals and be able to survive
well in the business environment (Ansoff et al. 2018). Hence, the main aim of the given report is
to outline the manner in which the firm will be successfully able to engage in an effective
association with the different change drivers and the way in which the enterprise will be able to
achieve its overall objectives. Hence, the enterprise which has been taken for the purpose of the
analysis is the Hong Kong post. The study will carry out the external analysis of the enterprise
and examine the manner in which the firm`s performance is greatly influenced and what
procedures need to be adopted by the firm to ensure successful operations.
About the firm: Hong Kong Post
The Hong Kong post can be understood to be a governmental organization in Hong Kong
which is responsible for the postal services. The post is also operating as a trading fund. In
association with this, the firm can be mentioned to be a separate entity from the China Post. In
consideration of this, the main purpose of the enterprise is to engage in the process of linking the
people as well as delivering the business. In addition to this, the main vision of the enterprise is
to be recognized in Hong Kong for its exceptional postal services. Additionally, it can be
recognized as an outstanding postal service. Moreover, the mission of the enterprise is to be
committed and valued for the work. Moreover, the firm also intends to attain the highest levels of
customer satisfaction in the long run and in association with this, aims to be a viable business
with adequate resources to invest in the future. Lastly, the mission of the firm is also to anticipate
the changes and respond proactively (Hongkongpost.hk 2020). The organization is based on the
values that they have to be considerate about their customers and drive excellence through the
development, teamwork and innovation.
Conduct an audit of business environment and identify different drivers of change
SWOT analysis
In order to understand how the firm has been performing and the manner in which the
firm will be influenced by the changing factors which exist in the external environment, the
SWOT analysis of the Hong Kong post is being conducted as it would contribute towards
understanding how the firm has been performing and in what way can the enterprise be aware of
the drivers of change (Ansoff et al. 2018). The SWOT analysis is a strategic management tool

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which needs to be made use of in order to understand the different entrepreneurial perspectives
such as the Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This SWOT is being carried out in
consideration to the international benchmarking indexes and relevant tools. In consideration with
this, the SWOT takes into consideration a scope of the planning horizon beyond 2030. Hence,
the SWOT analysis of the Hong Kong business environment can be stated to be as follows:
Strengths
1. Geographic location: Hong Kong is located at strategically advantageous location which
gives it the comfort of performing well. There are various airports and other connections
situated at the place. Moreover, the entire city is connected through a well-defined
subway system which thereby makes the entire business operations considerably simpler.
2. Reputable financial hub: As the city is known as a reputable financial hub it is applicable
for the Hong Kong post. In consideration with this, it can be rightfully mentioned that the
city is being able to perform well in terms of financial earnings as its economy is
booming (Rothaermel 2016).
3. Infrastructure: The infrastructure of the firm is in support of the growing businesses. In
association with this, it is effective to state that the enterprise will be able to benefit
accordingly in consideration of this expansion plan which it is undertaking.
4. Diversity development: The cultural aspect of the firm can be understood to be quite
diverse in nature.
5. In line with this, it is essential to state that, Hong Kong Post is located at a strategical
location which makes it easier to conduct the business.
6. In association with this, the brand name of the firm is considerately very popular and this
enables the performance and trust.
Weaknesses
1. Current political and economic environment is not good: At present there have been
considerate protests at several parts of the city and in association with this, it is relevant
to ensure that the business is not affected due to this. In association with this, the protest
by the Democrats and their demands are not being met with which has led to a decline in
the economic activity of the overall city at large (Pick et al. 2015).
2. Susceptible to external shocks: As the economy of Hong Kong can be considered to be
small and open, it needs to be mentioned to be critically crucial that, the city might be
affected by any changes which take place in the world economy.
3. Relatively weak in innovation and technology: This aspect needs to be clearly promoted
because; the country is relatively weak in this aspect. In association with this, it can be
considered to be relevant to mention that, they would be required to create an
environment which can easily foster technology and innovation (Al-Haddad and Kotnour
2015).
4. Environmental issues: At present, Hong Kong has been facing considerate environmental
issues which pertain to the aspects relating to the Air pollution and solid waste
generation. In association with this, it can be essentially stated that, the city would be
required to undertake considerate steps to ensure it can overcome these issues.
5. Health dangers: At present there exists a grave danger of the Covid 2019 which has
further caused threat in the operations and shut down all economic activities in the region
(Northouse 2018).

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Hence, by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses, the basic drivers of change in the form of
the opportunities and the existing weaknesses can be stated to be as follows:
Opportunities
1. Broadening economic base: As the Covid 19 will come to an end, the Hong Kong as a
city will have various opportunities using which it will be able to broaden economic base
with the help of which they can revive the economy and perform well. In association with
this, it can be considered very important to mention that, even the Hong Kong Post can
take advantage of this scenario and engage in new economic activities which will boost
the performance.
2. Strategic development: There lies considerate scope of Strategic development. In
association with this, it can ensure that the Hong Kong Post is being able to get into more
business domains with the help of which it will be able to perform well and achieve all its
objectives.
3. Creating environmental capacity: The Hong Kong Post has certain responsibilities
towards the environment as well and hence, it can get into various corporate social
responsibility activities which will allow the firm to be socially responsible and thereby
improve the brand image of the firm at large (Moutinho and Vargas-Sanchez 2018).
4. Digitalization of operations: The digitalization of operations can be considered to be
another strategy which can be adopted by the enterprise. Although a majority of the
operations of the enterprise can be mentioned to be digital it, however, engaging in
additional digitalization will be largely benefit for the firm.
5. Installing operationally effective technologies: The installation of the operationally
effective technologies like the Customer relationship management software, biometric
system and artificial intelligence can also be considered to be a lucrative opportunity.
Threats
After analyzing the external environment, certain drivers against change or the
weaknesses can be mentioned to be as follows:
1. Competition from other cities: The city is receiving adequate competition from other
countries and cities. This means that even if it intends to undertake adequate plans to
ensure success, it needs to ensure considerate competition from other cities
2. Ageing population and shrinking workforce: The population of the city is ageing and has
been shrinking to a great extent. In association with this, it can be considered to be very
essential for the different parties to ensure that, they are being able to plan accordingly as
per this workforce (Morden 2016).
3. Resource availability: There are limitations on the resource availability as well. In
association with this, it can be considered important for the enterprise to consider the
resource aspect which can be understood to be limited in nature.
Drivers of change
Hence, from the given understanding and evaluation which was undertaken in the
previous sections, this section will aim at identifying the drivers of the change and the manner in
which the change is bound to influence the manner in which the organization currently tends to

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function. These drivers of the change can be mentioned to be as follows:
1. The current political and economic environment: The current political and the economic
environment can be mentioned to be very influential with various events taking around
the world. Hence, due to the instable political stable along with its influence on the
economic environment, these factors have been impacting the operations of the firm and
are a critical driver of change (Lasserre 2017).
2. Innovation and technology: Innovation and technology has been weak aspect of the Hong
Kong post and in association of this, the firm needs to undertake considerate initiatives
with the help of which it will be able to advance the various operations.
3. Excessive competition: The competition from companies as present outside of the city
and the other Private companies have increased to a great extent and in association with
this it becomes increasingly essentially important to ensure that certain initiatives are
undertaken to combat against these competitive aspects (Meyer et al. 2017).
4. Resource availability: At present the Hong Kong post has an access to various resources.
In consideration to this, it can be considered critical to ensure that, the business is being
able to utilize these resources adequately and applying the same to the overall welfare of
the enterprise (Hongkongpost.hk 2020).
The change
In association with the various drivers of the change which has been discussed earlier, it
can be mentioned that the change initiative which will be undertaken by the Hong Kong Post can
be stated to be relating to the Digitalization of operations and installation of a Customer
Management and relationship software (Karadag 2015). It can be understood that since all
private banking organizations have taken their transactions digital, it provides utmost
convenience to the customers and in case of any political unrest or the spread of the pandemic
diseases like the Covid 19, the customers can stay at home and undertake the different
transactions easily. Therefore, by providing the change management plan for the digital
transactions and online systems along with installing the Customer relationship management
software the firm would be able to benefit adequately and understand that it is being able to
successfully overcome the threats.
Analyze the impact of change and the effects it has upon the organization’s strategy and
operations.
According to Karadag (2015), the change procedure can be considered to be a difficult
procedure for an organization as it requires various steps and initiatives which are to be
undertaken collectively from the side of the employees as well as the management in order to
implement the change procedure adequately. According to the Kurt Lewins model, the following
are the steps involved in any change management process. The Kurt Lewin change management

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can be stated to have three steps which comprise of the unfreezing, changing and the refreezing.
In association with this, the model has presented a simple analysis of the manner in which the
change is required to be carried out (Hornstein 2015). In consideration of this, the model tends to
present a simple view of how the change in the firm has to be carried out and implemented
within the workplace.
Unfreezing
The first step in the Kurt Lewin change model can be stated to be relating to the
Unfreezing stage. Here the enterprise would be required to let go of its previous initiatives and
the procedures which the firm would be adopting. This will then be followed by the analysis of
the various organizational structures undergoing the change (Cameron and Green 2019). In
association with this, the old ways as followed by the enterprise have to be changed and the
organization has to prepare itself for the new changes which take place in an enterprise.
Changing
The second step as involved in the changing procedure can be mentioned to be the
changing process whereby the actual change procedure tends to take place. As the organization
has let go of its previous initiatives, the firm would be required to ensure that, the actual change
which is required to be carried out in the enterprise is being undertaken (Hitt and Duane Ireland
2017). This shall ensure that the digitalization procedures are adopted adequately and that the old
ways are replaced by the new ways of carrying out various operational changes.
Refreezing
The refreezing stage is the next step of the change procedure whereby, the new system which has
been implemented in the organization tends to get fixed in the enterprise. In association with this,
it becomes effectively important to state that, this helps in ensuring all entrepreneurial goals can
be attained successfully and the new process can be carried out easily.
However, the influence and effect of the change procedures can be mentioned to be as
follows:
 Change in organizational focus: When the digitalization will be adopted as a strategy
then the overall organizational focus is bound to change. This means that, the firm would
be required to see to it that it is being able to manage the overall focus of the firm and
now the new focus of the organization will be on ensuring that the digitalization
procedure is being carried out easily (Bolman and Deal 2017).
 Change in structure: The change will also lead to a change in the organizational structure.
As a new change element has been provided, it becomes considerably critical to
understand that, to implement the new strategy, the organizational structure is also bound
to undergo a change. In association with this, it is critical to mention that when any
change takes place in the enterprise then the structure also undergoes a change and in
association with this, the structure of the firm has to change (Hill 2017).
 Change in direction: Change in the organizational culture and direction is another impact
which will take place in the enterprise. In consideration with this, it becomes effective to
understand that, the enterprise would be required to adopt a change procedure and this
would then lead to a change in the direction which the firm would adopt.

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Impact of change on leadership, individuals and team behavior
When the change procedure in an enterprise generally tends to take place, it leads to a
considerate change in the overall individuals and the teams as involved in the enterprise as well.
In consideration of this, it becomes effective to mention that, the change procedure will have an
influence on the leadership, team behavior as well as the individuals (Hayes 2018). Different
people have different perceptions regarding the overall change procedure and in association with
this, it becomes very essential to state that, in order to understand the implications of the change
procedure on the leadership, individuals and the team behavior, the Organizational change model
is being made use of (Antonakis and Day 2017). This model provides an explanation of the
essential stages which generally tend to take place in an enterprise while a change procedure is in
operation. Hence, in the given section, the Organizational change model will be made use of to
assess the impact of the change on the individuals, leadership and team behavior.
Figure 1
(Source: Antonakis and Day 2017).
Stage 1: Shock

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The first stage can be mentioned to be the stage whereby the organizational mangers
undergo a shock. In this stage, they generally fear the change as it may have a critical influence
on their overall performance (Hanson et al. 2016). In association with this, it is critical to
mention that, many people find it difficult to accept the change and in association with this, it
becomes difficult for them to engage in effective success.
Stage 2: Denial
The second step is the Denial stage. In consideration of this, it becomes essential to
mention that the employees may deny undergoing the change procedure and in consideration of
this, may not be willing to ensure that, the employees are being able to abide by the different
change requisites.
Stage 3: Reject
Here the employee, managers and even the team undertake a decision that they will reject
the overall change procedure (Antonakis and Day 2017). This may result in either the fight stage
or the flight stage. In association with this, it is critical to mention that the turnover often
becomes difficult to engage in successful operations. The different individuals like to live
comfortably and in association of this, want to reject the change. In this stage3, the different
teams and individuals may feel like aborting the plan.
Stage 4: Tolerate (With Resistance)
This stage is the first stage whereby the individuals and the various teams as well as the
managers who are involved believe that they can engage in the change and undertake the activity
in association of the tolerance level. The behaviors become more open and in consideration of
this, it becomes considerate to engage in a discussion and begin tolerating the behavior
accordingly (Bolman and Deal 2017).
Stage 5: Tolerate
At this stage, the different individuals as present in the enterprise begin to tolerate the
overall change procedure which is generally recommended in the firm. Here all the teams as well
as the individuals ensure that they can make some adjustments to embrace the change and
involve as many people as possible.
Stage 6: Embrace
Once the change procedure is tolerated, the entire change procedure is embraced
adequately. In association with this, it is critical to state that, the people begin undertaking
commitment for the change and get involved in the stage (Grint et al. 2016). In association, with
this, it becomes critical to mention that while the different individuals get committed to the
cause. In consideration with this, the change management process actually begins.

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Measures that can be taken to minimize negative impacts of change on organizational
behavior
An organization would be required to undertake various initiatives to ensure that they are
being able to minimize the negative impacts. These initiatives can be stated to be as follows:
 Conducting regular meetings with the staff. Any firm if required to undertake long term
changes would be required to undertake adequate communication with the various
employees in order to see to it that, their opinions are taken (Frynas and Mellahi 2015).
 Given benefits. The employees would be required to be given certain benefits and perks
to encourage them in the procedure so as to ensure that they are being able to ensure
overall success.
 Moreover, change initiatives need to be undertaken by hiring change agents who will
motivate the different individuals and teams in the workplace.
Different forces for change and explain how they influence leadership decision-making
The different forces for change which are in the enterprise are as follows:
 Resource availability
 External scenario
 Future benefits
As discussed earlier, the above are some of the forces for the change procedure in the
enterprise. In order to ensure long term success, the firm needs to ensure that, it is being able to
engage in successful plans and undertake the decisions accordingly (Cummings et al. 2016). The
manner in which this influences the leadership decision making as follows:
As the overall factors influencing the change procedure can be understood to be on the side
of the firm, it is critical to understand that, it would be easy for the leaders of the firm to engage
in effective processes to start with the change (Conger 2015).
Firstly the delegative procedure of leadership would be required to be followed to encourage
the employees adequately. Hence, the leadership would be simply to anchor the change
procedure and guiding the process instead of getting involved in it primarily.
Effectiveness of different leadership approaches in change management with a range of
illustrated examples
There are several leadership procedures which are essentially available and can be carried
out in the organization. The first type of the leadership approach and style which is available to
the enterprise can be referred to as the style relating to the autocratic leadership style. Here the
leader of the enterprise would undertake various initiatives with the help of which he is able to

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anchor the entire procedure (David and David 2016). However, when the employees cannot be
involved in the change procedure, the overall change management procedure may not be
implemented adequately. Another leadership approach which can be adopted by the Hong Kong
post is the delegative leadership style whereby the leaders and the different employees tend to
get together to implement the overall change procedure. In consideration of this, it is effective to
ensure that, this leadership style is one of the most effective leadership styles in a change
procedure when tied up with the transformational leadership procedure (Doppelt 2017). When
the different employees would be given the freedom to perform well then in association with
this, the change can be carried out easily.
Conclusion
Therefore, from the given analysis it can be mentioned that, the Hong Kong post would
be required to undertake considerate initiatives in order to ensure that, they are being able to
undertake associated steps to compete with the different firms in the competitive business
environment. The report followed a systematic format whereby the overall external environment
of the Hong Kong Post was followed by the analysis of the change drivers and the discussion
regarding the change was undertaken.

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298.

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