Role of Innovative Leadership in Organizational Change: Proposal

This proposal outlines a research project investigating the role of innovative leadership in organizational change, with a specific focus on Apple Inc. The study aims to understand the concept of leadership, evaluate the significance of innovative leadership in driving organizational change, analyze the need for change management within Apple, and recommend strategies for the company to design innovative leadership for effective change management. The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods to gather in-depth information. The research design will be descriptive, using an inductive approach and interpretivism philosophy to analyze collected data. Data collection will primarily involve questionnaires. The literature review covers leadership theories, organizational change, and the importance of innovative leadership. The anticipated findings will provide insights into leadership competencies, and strategies for effective change management within Apple.

Proposal

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Overview.....................................................................................................................................1
Rationale of study.......................................................................................................................2
Aim and Objectives.....................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................5
Type Of Investigation.................................................................................................................5
Data Collection Method..............................................................................................................6
Sampling Method........................................................................................................................6
Accessibility Issues.....................................................................................................................7
Ethical Issues...............................................................................................................................7
Data Analysis..............................................................................................................................7
Limitations..................................................................................................................................8
ANTICIPATED FINDINGS...........................................................................................................8
TIME FRAME.................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Overview
As per the detailed study, it has been noticed that the change is considered as activity that
allows businesses to accept transformation in order to accomplish goals and objectives.
Businesses are facing number of issues in respect to change so it is significant for management to
have practical application of activities for effective management of change. It has also been
noticed that the individual within organisation requires different kind of knowledge, skills and
talent in order to accept change (Conway and Monks. 2011). In addition to this, change is also
considered as critical aspect for acquiring long term success and sustainability in an organisation.
It has been noticed that the businesses need to have designing and implementation policies as per
changes in trends, technologies, customer preference and future concerns. It is a key aspect that
allows business to remain successful in business. Number of scholars and researchers has stated
that the leadership skills of manager plays a key role in effective promotion of change
management (Diefenbach, 2007).
Leadership style is considered as an action that helps manage to lead a group of people in
appropriate manner. In other aspect, it can be stated that the leadership is ability within
individual to manage and handle the group of members so that work activities can be
accomplished in desired way. With an assistance of leadership, business entity may establish
clear vision so that work activities can be accomplished as per standards. It also allows to have
effective sharing of vision with others so that members can follow it effectively while having
participation in operational activities (Gill, 2013). According to significance of organisational
change, the manager must choose innovative leadership style because it assists in change
management. It is significant for leaders to have effective design of practical steps that is
essential for long term success. Leaders play critical role in managing organisational change so
individual must have innovative skills to deal with challenges that are associated with
organisational change. Change application is one of very complex situation and in order to
manage the change effective leadership is required (Lundy and Morin, 2013). Many of scholars
has said that the leadership competencies is consisted of link with successful organisation
change. Along with this, well skilled leader may participate effectively in change management
process for sustainable development.
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Rationale of study
In order to meet the competitive aspects, every business need to focus on effective
management of change activities. It has been noticed that there is continuous need of change in
business model as per consideration of trends, technologies and future concern. In addition to
this, it can be said that the change management also demands competent leadership for
organisations so that activities can be designed in appropriate manner as per change. By having
current study, understanding about the leadership skills will be improved so that business needs
can be accomplished in desired way (Herzig and Jimmieson, 2015). Leadership is also effective
and helpful factor that suggest most appropriate form of a change by using individual
capabilities. Rationale behind the study is that understanding about the significance of
organisational change and accepting the participation of leadership in change process will assist
in exploring the relationship between successful organisational change and leadership (Thomas
and Hardy, 2011).
Study will also provide learning in regard to vision and innovative approach so that
leader can design suitable activities for long term sustainability. It will also facilitate in
formation of actions that are beneficial to accomplish objectives of change management process.
Many of scholars has said that the not only leadership but the competent leadership is essential
for effective implementation of change management process. In order to explore the significance
of the study, evaluation of role of innovative leadership in organisational change is essential
(Salem, 2008). It can be referred as another rationale of the study. Report will also discuss the
leadership competencies which is beneficial to understand key aspects of change management
for accomplishment of most desirable outcomes. Another rationale of the study is to acquire the
answer of question that what kind of leadership is required for successful organisational change.
By having improved focus on the report the key aspects that are essential for organisational
change will be evaluated. It will assist in meeting the objectives of the study and improve
working of organisations.
Different ways to design innovative leadership for effective change management will
facilitate management of Apple to improve its change management process. However, selection
of Apple Inc. is most appropriate because organisation is well known for innovation in the
market. Company is also focused towards implementation of innovation and creativity in its
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operational activities so for better understanding of innovative leadership the organisation
selection in suitable as per need of the study (Thomas and Hardy, 2011). Significance of
innovative leadership will allow to add-on competencies so that organisational issues can be
addressed in the appropriate way. It can also refer as one of key rationale behind the selection of
study.
Aim and Objectives
Aim: Key motive behind the application of current study is to analyse the role of
innovative leadership in organisational change. In order to have proper understanding about the
subject, Apple has considered as an organisation.
Objectives
 To understand the concept of leadership
 To evaluate the significance of innovative leadership in organisational change
 To analyse need of change management with reference to Apple
 To recommend ways through which Apple can design innovative leadership for effective
management of change.
LITERATURE REVIEW
As per Miller (2011), leadership can be explained as an action conducted by an individual
to influence others to get done the work effectively. However, an effective leader is the one who
performs various tasks like motivating and inspiring people, building a team to achieve the
desired vision. In addition to it, the goals and objectives of the company can be achieved with the
help of effective leader. Direction and guidance offered by a leader can be effective for the team
to accomplish the given tasks. In an organization, having a leader with required skills can result
into achievement of team objectives. On other hand, it is critically explained by Diamond and
Allcorn (2009), leadership is process through which a positive bond is created between the leader
and its subordinates. With the management of team, the behaviour of leader and members can be
better understood by each other. The cited process can help in accomplishing the work
efficiently. It is seen that the organization is formed with the purpose of attaining certain
objectives with the help of human group. It becomes important to manage the group of people. In
order to attain the same, a company requires to have a leader by whom a group can be managed.
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According to Dunphy, Griffiths and Benn (2007), innovative leadership plays a crucial
role at the time of organizational changes. However, to implement change in the company, it is
essential to have a leader who can cope up with the situations and adopt the same. A leader is
responsible for the whole team and its performance. Having a leader with required skills and
qualities, the organization can brings and implement the changes. In order to enlighten the
importance of effective leadership in organizational change, there are some theories that can be
adopted.
Contingency theory: as per this theory, three factors are identified through which the
performance of the leader may get affected. It includes the relations between the employees and
leaders where the trust level of employees on leader is analysed (Conway and Monks. 2011). The
another factor is task structure where it consists of the amount of work that is being performed
by the employees.
Path goal theory: As per this theory, the leaders are the one who can motive their
employees by assigning their work. In this, leaders are required to give rewards to the employees
so that their performance can be improved (Diefenbach, 2007).
It is asserted by Gill (2013), organizational change is necessary to improve the internal
and external functioning of a company. If the changes are not accepted by the organizations then
they can not stay in long run. To offer quality services and improvement in financial
performances then the firm needs to adopt changes. The cited process is very challenging and
necessary for the organizations in order to gain success. It makes a company to attain future
demands and changes to accomplish competitive advantage. As per Lundy and Morin (2013)
argued, organizational change process must be managed in such a way that the firm must move
in a required direction. Nowadays, there is rapid change has seen in the business trends where the
organizations needs to make a balance between the internal and external factors.
According to Herzig and Jimmieson (2015) innovative leadership is crucial for effective
management of change in the organizations. In context to it, effective leadership aids in brining
effective change in the companies. However, there are some competences for effective and
successful leadership which defines how a leader can bring changes effectively in the
organizations.
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The above table depict the role played by the leaders at the time of organizational
changes. It also explains the competences and capabilities that can be useful for the success of a
company. However, to bring changes in the organization effective leader plays a crucial role in
that. An effective leader sets a clear and straight vision of work through which changes are
accepted. Thomas and Hardy (2011), claims that the leaders need to communicate the vision to
the subordinates in order to attain success. In addition to it, a leader plays crucial role in the
development and managing change in the organizations. Top management can formulate
strategies and plans but the implementation is purely done by the leaders. Effective procedures
are being followed by them which helps in achieving the goals and objectives of the firms.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Type
Qualitative and quantitative both aspects will be referred in order to have effective
development of tools and techniques. It will provide theoretical discussion about the subject that
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which beneficial to evaluate the significance of innovative leadership in organisational change
(Manion, Cohen and Morrison, 2007). It indicates that the mixed application of both aspects will
assist in attaining better outcomes from the investigation.
Research Design
Present study will be accomplished on the basis of descriptive nature because it allows to
attain information in in-depth manner. With an assistance of better understanding can be
developed in respect to role of innovative leadership in organisational change. It is beneficial to
have proper learning about diverse factors that are associated with the subject.
Research Approach and Philosophy
Inductive approach will be applied as it assist in data collection. It will also facilitate in
effective development of theory so that better outcomes can be attained from the study. Along
with this, interpretivism philosophy will be employed to have proper evaluation of collected data
(Burns, 2008). In this, response collected will be evaluate with the researcher's point of view. It
will allow to identify the ways through which Apple can design innovative leadership for
effective management of change practice.
Data Collection Method
It has been noticed that there are two kinds of data collection methods that are most
accessed by the researcher for completion of study. Classification of methods can be as primary
and secondary methods. These two methods reflect qualitative aspect which provide support to
the study. In present study, questionnaire will be designed to have effective promotion of
primary data collection process (Creswell, 2013). Questionnaire will be designed as per
objectives of the study. In this respect, it can be said that the two kids of questionnaire will be
designed for data collection. Open handed and close handed questions will be designed to take
responses from 100 employees. Interview based questions will be framed to gather information
from 20 managers of Apple. On the other side, books, journals and other secondary aspects will
be considered as key aspect of secondary data collection. It will be make sure that the secondary
sources are related with the concern subject of the study.
Sampling Method
Sampling is considered as most significant aspect of research methodology because it
plays a key role in data collection process. In order to have proper gathering of primary
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information, selection of sampling technique and size is essential. For present research, random
sampling method will be employed by expert. In this, random sample size will be selected so that
information can be gathered in ethical way (Daniel and Sam, 2011). However, simple random
sampling method is considered as critical section of probabilistic sampling. Managers of Apple
Inc will be the participants for the research. In order to acquire effective outcomes, the sample
size of 20 managers will be useful. Limited sample size of study will assist in proper evaluation
of gathered data. Along with this, questionnaire will also be designed to take responses from
employees of Apple. 100 employees of organization will be considered as sample size for the
questionnaire. It is also beneficial to meet the aim and objectives of the research in appropriate
manner. Based on the outcome, significance of innovative leadership in organisational change
will be evaluate (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015).
Accessibility Issues
Accessibility of the data is one of the decisive factor because it may affect the
effectiveness of the study. It has been identified that the collection of information from invalid
and unreliable sources will present the vague information which may influence overall outcome
of the study (Burns, 2008). In order to overcome such kind of issue researcher will only consider
valid and reliable sources for data collection. Only authentic secondary sources will be accessed
by the volunteers for effective accomplishment of secondary data collection. Moreover, in order
to meet the standards of accessibility, primary information will be gathered by taking responses
from managers of Apple Inc. Online website sources will be used as per their reliability so that
better outcomes can be attained from the study (Manion, Cohen and Morrison, 2007).
Ethical Issues
Considering the ethical issues number of activities can be accomplished in appropriate
manner. With an assistance of ethical values key objective of study can be meet and protect
research from any kind of unethical practice. In this respect, investigator will make sure that the
correct information about the purpose and nature of study is being shared with members or
volunteers (Creswell, 2013). Before accessing the primary information, prior permission will be
taken from participants in order to promote ethical aspects. Personal information gathered about
respondents will not be shared with any kind of third party for better promotion of confidentiality
factor. Without permission of participants the researcher will not access information in the
research.
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Data Analysis
Data analysis is considered as one of most significant section of the report because it
allows to interpret the results on the basis of collected information. It has been noticed that there
are basically two kinds of data analysis techniques which are classified as qualitative and
quantitative. In respect to current study, researcher will focus on application of qualitative and
quantitative technique of data analysis (Daniel and Sam, 2011). For providing better support to
the qualitative study, thematic approach of data analysis will also be considered as critical aspect.
In this, different themes will be designed as per concern of research questions and objectives. In
respect to quantitative techniques the SPSS tool will be accessed by experts for effective
accomplishment of key goals and objectives. Through this technique the data will be analysed in
appropriate manner because data will be presented in form of graphs, tables and charts.
Limitations
In order to accomplish the study, researcher may face number of challenges that can be
concerned as limitations of study. It might be possible that the lack of availability of literature on
the selected subject may affect the completion of literature (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015).
Along with this, the data collection process requires excessive time and cost that can also be
critical issue for researcher. Primary and secondary data collection demands excessive time
which might delay the project deadline.
ANTICIPATED FINDINGS
In present descriptive study, the expert is expecting that the outcomes will assist
management of Apple Inc to design better leadership style so that change management activities
can be well managed. It is also anticipated from the study that the innovation in leadership style
is significant for every organisation because it assists in change management process. At last, the
aim and objectives are being accomplished in efficient way is also one of key anticipated
findings of the research.
TIME FRAME
Key Activities
1st
and
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3rd to
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21th to
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25th to
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Preparing for
Introduction
Literature Review
Accessing of
Secondary Data
Examining of
collected Data
Research Design
Research
Methodology
Collection of
Primary Data
Analysis of
primary and
secondary data
Conclusions and
Recommendations
Completion of
remaining work
Revise and draft
Final Submission
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Burns, B. R., 2008. Introduction to Research Method. 4th ed., Pearson Education.
Conway, E. and Monks. K., 2011 Change from below: the role of middle managers in mediating
paradoxical change. Human Resource Management Journal, 21(2). pp.190-203.
Creswell, J. W., 2013. Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 4th ed. SAGE
Publications, Inc.
Daniel, S. P. and Sam, G. A., 2011. Research Methodology. Gyan Publishing House.
Diamond, M. A. and Allcorn, S., 2009. Private Selves in Public Organizations: The
Psychodynamics of Organizational Diagnosis and Change. Palgrave Macmillan.
Diefenbach, T., 2007. The managerialistic ideology of organisational change management.
Journal of Organizational Change Management. 20(1). pp.126 -144.
Dunphy, D., Griffiths, A and Benn s., 2007. Organizational Change for Corporate Sustainability
Routledge.
Gill, R., 2013. Change management or change leadership. Journal of Change Management, 3(4),
pp.307–318
Herzig, S. E. and Jimmieson, N. L., 2015. "Middle managers' uncertainty management during
organizational change", Leadership and Organization Development Journal. 27(8).
pp.628-645.
Lundy, V. and Morin, P. P., 2013. Project Leadership Influences Resistance to Change: The Case
of the Canadian Public Service. Project Management Journal. pp.44(3). pp.45–64.
Manion L., Cohen, L., and Morrison, K., 2007. Research methods in education. Routledge.
Miller, K., 2011. Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes: Approaches and
Processes. Cengage Learning
Salem, P., 2008 The seven communication reasons organizations do not change. Corporate
Communications: An International Journal. 13 (3). pp.333 – 348.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Thomas, R and Hardy, C. 2011. Reframing resistance to organizational change. Scandinavian
Journal of Management. 27(3). pp.322-331.
Online
Quantitative,Qualitative, and Mixed Research. 2015. [pdf]. Available through:
<http://www.uk.sagepub.com/upm-data/38123_Chapter2.pdf >. [Accessed on 26th
September 2016].
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Vicky, R., 2013. Qualitative Research: Empirical and Analytical Methods. [Online]. Available
through: <http://allnurses.com/research-nursing/qualitative-research-empirical-
757691.html>. [Accessed on 26th September 2016].
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