Understanding and Leading Change: A Case Study of JD Sports' Strategy

This report provides an in-depth analysis of understanding and leading change within organizations, using JD Sports as a case study. It explores the internal and external drivers of change, including political and economic factors, and their impact on organizational strategy. The report includes a SWOT analysis to identify key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as a comparison of transformational and remedial changes. Furthermore, it evaluates how the impact of change was minimized through employee engagement and sustainable business practices. The report also applies force field analysis, recommends ways to meet organizational objectives, explains barriers to change, and evaluates leadership approaches and models of change management, ultimately offering conclusions and recommendations for minimizing the adverse effects of change. This student-contributed document is available on Desklib, where you can find more solved assignments and study resources.

Understanding and
leading change

Table of Contents
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
An overview of the organisation and it’s change processes.......................................................1
SWOT analysis to identify drivers of change.............................................................................1
Impact of drivers and change and how in what manner it affects organisational strategy.........2
Comparing the impacts of change and the effect they have had upon the organisation’s
strategy and operations................................................................................................................3
Evaluation of how internal and external drivers of change.........................................................4
An valuation of how the impact of change was minimised .......................................................6
Present conclusions and recommendations for minimising affects of change............................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................8
PART 2............................................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................9
Application of force field analysis .............................................................................................9
Recommendations for meeting the organisation’s objectives using force field analysis..........10
An explanation of the different barriers to change and how they influenced decision making
and leadership...........................................................................................................................10
How was change accomplished and how successful was it?....................................................11
Pros and cons of different leadership approaches to dealing with change................................12
Critical evaluation of different leadership approaches and models of change management....12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

PART 1
INTRODUCTION
Understanding and leading change determine the participants to fulfil issues that comes
with staring and implement change. Therefore changes is a type of general transition that needs
business process that apply on organisation and individuals for running and control activities. IN
an organisation it is to be conducted that market analysis is very essential to introduce the
products and services (Driver, 2019.). In recent time environment is getting change day by day
and it is essential to business firm to offers products and services as per demands that maintains
the quality and productivity of company within competitive marketplace. To effectively
understand the topic of understanding and leading change this report undertakes JD Sports as a
company that is a leading British sports fashion retail company in UK. This report covers
introduction of drivers and changes that impacted organisation, PEST and SWOT analysis,
organisational strategy that is used to mitigate the risk that firm faces in their long term survival.
An overview of the organisation and it’s change processes
In present time it is very essential for the company that they focus on preparing plans and
policies for generating profitable outcomes by completing goals properly. Therefore, if any
organisation is capable to prepare effective strategies that they efficiently deal with competitive
firm and take advantage in current business industry. In case of JD sports, company need to
focus on doing changes as per modern environment by delivering and manufacturing the
products to customers by fulfilling their needs. In this company emphasis on using advanced
technology while delivering products to customers so that huge base of customers are to be
attracted towards company (Nadim and Singh, 2019). To effectively understand the changes of
JD Sports it is very crucial to adopts the use of change processes in which manager examine
what they need to improved. As per current situation JD sports need to improve their technology
to attracts customers base. After that they present this plan to shareholders to that proper
investment is to be done and resources are collected effectively and efficiently.
SWOT analysis to identify drivers of change
SWOT Analysis of JD sports are presented below that helps in examine the drivers of
change so that firm attain high profitable results in the long term survival:
1

Strength Weaknesses
 The main strength of JD sports is that
they have faithful suppliers within
market that helps in developing huge
base of customers within marketplace.
 Another strength is strong brand image
due to which changes are easily done
by company.
 The main weakness of JD sports is that
they use old technology due to which
company profitability is affected
negatively.
 JD sports follow obsolete work culture
due to this employees are disappointed
and task are not done properly.
Opportunities Threats
 JD sports enjoys the opportunity of
expanding business in new market by
hiring youth within organisation so that
high profitable results are enjoyed by
company.
 The main threat that company face is
high competition is present in market.
 Fluctuation in government laws are
another threat for company.
Impact of drivers and change and how in what manner it affects organisational strategy
There are basically two types of changes that are based on internally and externally that
affects working style of company (Fagerström, 2021). In terms of internal change, rules and
regulation under distinct laws such as employment law, contract law, working criteria etc. are
included. In terms of external factors changes done on the several drivers such as inflation rate,
interest rate etc. These drivers and impact of change affected the organisational strategy that is
easily understand under types of organisational changes:
Transformational change: This change helps organisation to adopts changes in best
possible manner so that firm enjoys various benefits. In terms of JD sports company effectively
eliminate the additional number of employees that helps organisation to invest in capital in
different areas. This affects the organisational strategy in positive manner because by doing this
they easily low down their prices of products.
Remedial change: This change is needed in company where employees are unable to
perform efficiently to attain goals. In terms of JD Sports company have options to organise
several grooming sessions for workers so that they perform task proficiently. This impact
2

organisational strategy in positive manner because for saving environment offering training
session to employees is essential to gain positive results.
Comparing the impacts of change and the effect they have had upon the organisation’s strategy
and operations
Basis JD Sports Sports Direct
Political
changes
Due to Brexit in UK market are
affected because people are unable to
spend high amount on any product due
to which country economy is to be
affected. Therefore the price of sports
products are increasing because of
huge fluctuation in currency (Flanagan
and Gregory, 2019). This impact on
the performance of company
drastically. By looking on this factors
company do changes by developing
strategies.
Strategic changes: In current situation
firm faces lots of issues and at this
time they look towards improvising
performance where JD sports develops
strategies related to lower down the
pricing of products that they sell to
customers so that company sales is to
be enhanced. This also develops
visibility of company products in
market.
Operational change: Due to high
fluctuations in political rules and
regulations companies are focusing on
This company deals in online market
and whole UK market depends on
European market. Due to Brexit
company sales and profits are to be
affected negatively. At this time it is
essential to introduce some strategies
so that firm effectively deal with
situation to sustain in market. Hence
retail business in UK depends on
European market.
Strategic changes : By looking at
market situation company emphasis on
changes their plans and policies. It is
essential to deal with present situation.
At this time firm plan to offer combo
offers at the time of purchase so that
huge base of customers are attracted
towards it.
Operational change: To effectively
deal with the issues that company face
they introduces several services for
customers such as online payments,
3

changing their plans and policies to
sustain in market. At this time
company have options to develops
sales of products using online media to
reduce the labour cost.
solving queries online etc. so that
customers are retain for more time
(Pettit, Croxton and Fiksel, 2019).
Environment
changes
Currently the impact of harmful gases
is maximising day to day that generate
issue for organisation and people. This
is a reason that people do more focus
on saving environment. In this the
main motive of people is emphasis on
how to use or create products that does
not harm environment. By emphasis
on this JD sports do changes on
operation and strategies.
Strategies: For preserving the
environment company focus on
reducing the use of wooden material so
that chances of affecting environment
is reduced. Also company planned to
exploit the use of resources in
systematic manner so that targets are
achieved without harming environment
(Herrington, Bonem and Furr, 2020).
Operations: To solve this issue related
to environment JD sports focus on
adopting the sustainable business
operation by re manufacturing the
products that are possible.
By examine current market position
Sports direct implement several
changes in operations and strategies
that are presented below:
Strategies: To reach the target related
to save environment company
emphasis on cashless payment as they
focus on saving the trees to save the
environment. They plan to recycle the
offerings by utilising it in best possible
manner.
Operations: In this Sports direct take
help of six sigma to eliminate waste
product at the time of producing
goods. Hence to adopts those
resources which does not affect
environment helps in generating more
4

profits by attracting number of people.
Evaluation of how internal and external drivers of change
Within an organisation leader play an effective role so that activities are performed in
systematic manner. Leaders are the one who influence or guide subordinates towards working
while adopting internal and external changes (Cui and et. al., 2020). It involves intrinsic and
extrinsic cause of change that affects leadership, individual and team behaviour. Some internal
and external drivers of change are discussed below that affect leadership, individual and team
behaviour.
Internal drivers
 Fiscal management: In a business enterprise it is crucial that firm have ample amount of
capital so that they execute activities and attained the goals effectively and efficiently. In
terms of JD sports if company does not an effective financial condition than it is quite
difficult for team members to perform the task appropriately (Campbell, 2021). AS it is
necessary for company to have sufficient financial resources so that leaders properly
handle activities as per change strategies according to situation. This helps organisation
to gain targets prominently.
 Resources: In business organisation there are several number of resources that affects
working style of leaders. In terms of JD sports every resources are available to them due
to this staff members work prominently. In this both team and individuals are able to
perform best so that profitable outcomes is to be enjoyed. If in case firm faces the issue
of shortage of resources then it create probability to face major loss because individuals
and teams are perform appropriately and leaders does not guide employees effectively
due to this organisation success is affected.
External drivers:
 Political: In this changes are mainly linked to rules and regulations which formulated
externally. In terms of JD sports manager focus on following rules and regulations that
are imposed by political parties. If in any situation company fails to perform task as per
requirements of code of conducts then they sue from different penalties (Li and et. al.,
2020). It directly impact on performance of employees and leaders because they are not
done their task as per requirements.
5

 Economical: This force of change is based on behaviour of customers, interest rate etc. if
inflation rate are high that it affects company profitability due to this employees does not
do their activities effectively because of high inflation rate company cannot pay rewards
that employees wants.
An valuation of how the impact of change was minimised
It involves several situation where company needs to do changes for sustain in market. This is
crucial to eliminate wastages in producing the products so that business enterprise get a chance
to earn profits in future period of time. Therefore when changes are done within organisation
then business organisation would face several types of situation. In case of JD sports, there are
several options to eliminate the impact that was occur due to changes and some of then are
presented below:
 Employee engagement in change process: It is very crucial for an organisation such as
JD sports that to involve employees participation at the time of taking decisions so that
effective strategies are developed due to which operations are done effectively. It helps
workers to understand the need of changes along with it is also easy for employees to
adopt changes very frequently. This also helps in developing healthy and friendly
relationship among employees and management.
 Increments in the use of communication channels: It is necessary for company like JD
sports that to focus on maintaining effective communication system at workplace
(Germack and et. al., 2021). This helps workers to suggest and discuss the ideas and
situation where they face issues. Therefore, effective communication sort every problems
that are faced by employees at the time of executing strategies.
By the purpose of understanding and responding changes within an organisation it is
essential for JD sports to use System theory. It is an effective theory that helps organisation to
deduct the negative effect of changes that are being raised at the time of developing change
within organisation. It helps company to sort out issues that are faced by workers at the time of
performing task prominently. As per this theory it is highly crucial for JD sports manager to
follow government imposed rules and regulations which create benefits for employees so that
they with full satisfaction (Mitterlechner, 2019). As this theory helps in sort out issues and
conflicts that employees are facing on regular basis while doing the assigned activities.
6

Additionally there are several negative impact of theory because this theory only focus those
dimensions that are stable within organisation and other sections are ignored.
Present conclusions and recommendations for minimising affects of change
From the above information it is critically evaluated that business enterprise are always
affected by internal and external factors so that it is crucial to understand every factors so that
decisions are taken properly. In case of JD sports, internal drive helps in managing resources,
capital properly that helps in enhancing revenue of business (Quinlan, 2020). Additionally
external factors such as economical, political, technological etc. helps in determine the changes
that are done outside the business due to which firm effectively compete with market. Several
recommendations are presented below that offers benefits to company:
 It is essential for company to discuss changes with every level of employees because it
helps in completing the work according to needs and requirements.
 Another recommendations for manager of JD sports that demonstrate that manager focus
on detect consequences in changes so that goals are accomplished effectively.
CONCLUSION
From the preceding report it is to be concluded that change within organisation is very
essential to sustain in market. It also helps organisation to build success by adopting change.
This report elucidates the issues that need change so that high profitable results are enjoyed by
company in the long term survival. This also reflects drivers of change using external and
internal factors that affects company strategy and operations. This is essential to mitigate risk at
the rime of processing change in an organisation for this system theory is adopted by firm so that
employees are working with satisfaction and this will maintain relationship between
organisation.
7

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Campbell, 2021. LEADING LARGE-SCALE EDUCATIONAL CHANGE IN THE TWENTY-
FIRST CENTURY. Future Alternatives for Educational Leadership: Diversity,
Inclusion, Equity and Democracy.
Cui, S. and et. al., 2020. Synergism among polydispersed amphiphilic block copolymers leading
to spontaneous physical hydrogelation upon heating. Macromolecules. 53(18). pp.7726-
7739.
Driver, T.F., 2019. Liberating rites: Understanding the transformative power of ritual.
Routledge.
Fagerström, L.M., 2021. Leading Change When Implementing Advanced Practice Nursing. In A
Caring Advanced Practice Nursing Model (pp. 219-233). Springer, Cham.
Flanagan, K. and Gregory, D., 2019. Leading your team through change?: Don't forget the
unchanging. Governance Directions, 71(5), pp.279-281.
Germack, H. and et. al., 2021. Leading Policy and Practice Change During Unprecedented
Times: The Nursing Health Services Research Response. Journal of Nursing
Regulation.12(2). pp.56-60.
Herrington, J., Bonem, M. and Furr, J.H., 2020. Leading congregational change: A practical
guide for the transformational journey. Fortress Press.
Li, E. and et. al., 2020. Vapochromic crystals: understanding vapochromism from the
perspective of crystal engineering. Chemical Society Reviews. 49(5). pp.1517-1544.
Mitterlechner, M., 2019. The Need for Reflexive Leadership in Inter-Organizational Networks.
In Leading in Inter-Organizational Networks (pp. 1-26). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Nadim, A. and Singh, P., 2019. Leading change for success: embracing resistance. European
Business Review.
Pettit, T.J., Croxton, K.L. and Fiksel, J., 2019. The evolution of resilience in supply chain
management: a retrospective on ensuring supply chain resilience. Journal of Business
Logistics, 40(1), pp.56-65.
Quinlan, K.M., 2020. Leading for learning: Building on values and teaching expertise to effect
change. In The Practice of Leadership in Higher Education (pp. 71-86). Routledge.
8

PART 2
INTRODUCTION
Organisational change refers to a movement of activities of company from one state of
affairs to another (Shirazi and et. al., 2020). To implement the changes within organisation force
field analysis is an essential tool that helps in taking actions after examine the root cause within
organisation. To complete this report JD Sports are to be undertaken that is a leading British
sports organisation in UK. Therefore this project elucidates force field analysis to examine the
resistance and support for change along with several roadblock to change that influence decision
making and leadership. Further it represented advantages and disadvantage of several leadership
approached to deal with changes so that company attain high profitable results within
marketplace.
Application of force field analysis
It is an effective model which is quite useful for JD sports to examine helping and
blockage factors of changes. It represent as a basic tool for analyse root cause that helps in taking
actions effectively (Esposito, Ricci and Sancino, 2021). In case of JD sports the detailed
explanation of this model is presented below:
Forces against changes
 Maximising cost:- Acceptance of changes in organisation such as using advanced
technology, digitalisation methods etc. enhance the organisation overall cost in terms of
installation charge and organising training and developing sessions for employees so that
they positively accept change.
 More labour turnover and absenteeism:- Changes within an organisation mainly
reflects the high employee turnover because they loose their interest and encouragement
because they are not accept changes (Longo, Shankar and Nuttall, 2019). Due to this
absenteeism and turnover of employees are increased that impact negatively on company
market position and success.
Forces in favour of changes:-
 Customers want new offerings:- In terms of JD sports they mainly deals in superior
quality sports commodity due to which users are always attracted towards company that
helps organisation to gain more profitable results within marketplace. To retain
9

customers for more time JD sports always focus on developing change for maintain
strong brand position.
 Governmental support:- In context of JD sports, company highly involves in social
activities due to which they get government at the time of developing new offering in
marketplace or adopting change in company (Wu and et. al., 2020). For instance-
Government of UK offers tax relief to JD sports at the time of new launching of product
and services in market so that they attain high profitable results in marketplace.
Recommendations for meeting the organisation’s objectives using force field analysis
In present situation the use of force field analysis is very effective for an organisation
because it helps in examine the pros and cons factors at the time of implementing change in
company. This model is very effective as it is mainly adopted by company to attain goals within
set time period (Peters, 2019). This technique is mainly used by organisation mainly JD sports
and it is to be recommended that this analysis helps manager to take decisions effectively and in
favour of company. Further force field analysis highly deals in any situation that raises in front
of company so that complexities is to be removed effectively and efficiently.
An explanation of the different barriers to change and how they influenced decision making and
leadership
From preceding information it is to be evaluated that changes in organisation is necessary
in order to operate business activities effectively as per needs of market. At the time of
implement change several barriers to change are presented that affects decision making and
leadership:
Lack of employees involvement: It is one of major barrier to change that is face by an
organisation. It happen because employees feel hesitate to doing more efforts and gives more
time to understand new way of working (Coleman, 2020). In order to overcome with this issue
manager of JD sports focus on formulating effective decisions that maximise employees
engagement by welcoming their suggestions in decision making process. This motivate and
generate interest in employees to attain goals and objectives prominently.
Improper communication: it is another barrier that was faced by company while
implementing change. To remain employees focused towards task it is very essential that
communication is done effectively. In case of JD sports manager tries to consider an effective
10

communication so that flee flow of ideas is maintained which is essential to enjoy positive
results.
Therefore every customers have different choice, need, perception that is essential for
management of JD sports to focus on accepting change so that objectives are fulfil on time. For
this leaders are stay focused towards change in their current products and launching new offering
in marketplace as per demands created in business marketplace. Therefore it is crucial for
company to evaluate the factors that impact on changes so that operations are done appropriately.
How was change accomplished and how successful was it?
It is essential for company to examine the leadership style at workplace so that it become
easy for employees to done their assignments on time that offers profitable results to company in
their long term survival. In context of JD sports changes are accomplished effectively with the
use of change management model of Kurt Lewin's. To accomplished the change effectively Kurt
Lewin model is demonstating below:
Lewin's Change Management Model: It is an effective model that is mainly used by
organisation with the motive of implementing and accomplishing change positively. This model
is mainly used by JD sports into three categories such as unfreeze, change and freeze that are
presented below: Unfreeze: It is a core step where leader of company is highly responsible to motivate
employees related to accepting change at workplace so that overall profitability and
visibility is to be developed in marketplace (Gosden and Knowles, 2020). In this manager
of JD sports adopts the transformational style of leadership with the motive of adopting
changes by employees positively.
 Change: It is another step in which company adopt changes effectively. Therefore in this
situation it is highly necessary for manager of JD Sports to follow situational style of
leadership so that if any uncertain situation will occur changes are done frequently and
smoothly that does not affects the whole working system in an organisation.
 Refreeze: It is end step of this model and it is required for employees of JD sports to
remain constant on change to maintain healthy and friendly environment. Therefore it is
necessary to complete the change effectively and efficiently that reflects results in favour
of organisation.
11

Pros and cons of different leadership approaches to dealing with change
In an organisation leader play a crucial role in achieving the goals of company because
leaders influence and motivate every employees in a best possible manner. It is highly significant
for company to perform better so that employees except and implement changes effectively and
efficiently. In terms of JD sports it is important for manager to adopts the best approach of
leadership so that employees are encouraged and satisfied towards working. Therefore adopting
best leadership approach helps employees to follow changes so that goals are attained effectively
and efficiently. Below several leadership approaches are to be presented with their pros and cons
so that employees properly deal with changes appropriately.
Democratic Leadership: It is best approach of leadership style that helps business
organisation in developing productive results prominently. In this style manager allows
subordinates to take participate in decision making process so that they are satisfied with the
working (Farrar, 2021). The advantage of this approach is that it improve the communication
system among employees and leaders so that targets are easily understood by staff members. For
instance- In case of JD sports this develops relationship among members involved at workplace
that positively supports changes in company. But at the same time if leader adopts this style in
organisation than firm faces delay in decision making. This also leads to procrastination in work
due to which profitability of business is affected.
Situational Leadership: In this approach of leadership, leaders focus on managing one
management style to adapts every change. In this leaders have an option to chose distinct models
or styles that are useful to take decisions promptly. In terms of JD sports, this style helps in
finding the exact way through which employees are expecting change for company future
growth. Hence, this allow leaders to take decisions as per needs and situation. This leadership
style holds several benefits such as in this leaders adopts the style as per the situation occur. In
simple terms it is simplest approach of leadership that is basically used by many companies.
Autocratic leadership- In this approach of leadership, leaders within organisation
control over all decisions by taking little inputs from group members. In context of JD Sports, if
leader adopts this leadership style then they order their employees and does not take any advice
from employees. Due to this it is not suitable for JD sports at the time of excepting change
effectively.
12

Transformational leadership- It is very effective style of leadership where leaders of JD
sports encourage, inspire workers to innovate new ideas for accepting change for the success of
company and their long term sustainability.
Transactional leadership- It is also known as managerial leadership where executives
relies on punishments and rewards to attain the high performance from followers working. In
context of JD sports, leaders adopts this style where they encourage staff for their excellent work
and punish for their misbehaviour. This helps in maintaining the decorum at work place.
From the above mentioned approaches of leadership JD sports adopts the situational
approach of leadership style because in this leader handle situation by using leadership style as
per situation occurs. This present better results in company profitability.
Critical evaluation of different leadership approaches and models of change management
There are several types of leadership approaches that raised within organisation as per
situation occurs. Hence, it is necessary for taking decisions correctly and effectively. By
evaluating the above information it is to be considered that situational leadership style and Kurt
lewin change management model helps company to attain goals and objectives effectively and
efficiently. It is useful for company because it gives the idea to maintain appropriate relationship
among members of company at workplace. Therefore it is a model that maximise employee
participation at workplace so that conflicts are to be reduced and relationship should be strong.
The main issue of model is that if an organisation does not take support from employees than
they face several issues in future period of time.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it is to be concluded that change is essential for organisation and at
this time company need to focus on adopting force field analysis so that for and against features
are examined properly that is useful to attain profitable results. In this various barriers to change
is presented below that mainly influence decision making and leadership. At the time of
implementing change firm faces several barriers that influence decision making and leadership
and to overcome with this face several leadership approach is used with their pros and cons so
that proficient results are enjoyed by company in long term survival.
13

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Coleman, M., 2020. Leading the change to establish a whole-school nurturing culture. Emotional
and Behavioural Difficulties. 25(1). pp.68-79.
Esposito, P., Ricci, P. and Sancino, A., 2021. Leading for social change: Waste management in
the place of social (ir) responsibility. Corporate Social Responsibility and
Environmental Management. 28(2). pp.667-674.
Farrar, M., 2021. Leading a Connected and Partnership-based System. In Leading Education
Systems. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Gosden, C. and Knowles, C., 2020. Collecting colonialism: Material culture and colonial
change. Routledge.
Longo, C., Shankar, A. and Nuttall, P., 2019. “It’s not easy living a sustainable lifestyle”: How
greater knowledge leads to dilemmas, tensions and paralysis. Journal of Business
Ethics, 154(3), pp.759-779.
Peters, L., 2019. Leading culture change: Moving from here to there. In The simple truths about
leadership (pp. 73-96). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Shirazi, M.S.R. and et. al., 2020. Microbiome dysbiosis and predominant bacterial species as
human cancer biomarkers. Journal of gastrointestinal cancer, 51(3), pp.725-728.
Wu, X. and et. al., 2020. High energy density of two-dimensional MXene/NiCo-LDHs
interstratification assembly electrode: understanding the role of interlayer ions and
hydration. Chemical Engineering Journal. 380. p.122456.
14

15