Walmart Change Management Strategies: UWE Bristol, BIM, 2018-2019

This presentation analyzes Walmart's change management strategies, focusing on the impact of change on organizational performance, methods for addressing resistance to change using Kurt Lewin's model (unfreezing-change-refreeze), and the critical role of organizational culture in facilita...Read More

Running Head: WALMART CHANGE MANAGEMENT 1
MANAGEMENT
STUDENT’S NAME
COURSE
UNIVERSITY
DATE

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INTRODUCTION
This task is going to focus on three aspects in management which are very crucial for the success
of any organization. These aspects are change, resistance and culture. This task is going to focus
on Walmart which is a multinational retail company that runs a variety of hypermarkets, chain
stores, grocery stores and department stores for discount. The assignment shall outline how
change has an influence in the performance of the organization and how resistance to these
change can be delt with accordingly using Kurt Lewin’s change management theoretical model.
The cultural aspect in the organization plays a crucial role in the process of change management
hence the task shall outline the significance of the organizational culture in the process of change
management within the organization.

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CHANGE
In many organizations, change is usually an aspect that is usually perceived differently by
different groups of people (Burke, 2013). Some people usually have a feeling that adoption of
new formality of doing things within the organization would enhance organizational growth and
development. They perceive change as the appropriate means towards the realization of the
organization’s mission and vision within a competitive business environment. In the modern
society, change occurs daily hence the organizations should be ready to adapt to the changes in
the competitive business environment to enhance the achievement of the organizational goals
and objectives (Cummings & Worley,2014).Organizations that handle change positively are
usually successful as compared to the organizations which are very rigid for change. In the
modern world, the idea of change management is pervasive. Businesses have different ways of
responding to change according to the nature of services they offer to the society (Weaver,
Weaver & Farwood, 2013).It is very vital for the people to have a clear understanding of the
change process and its implication to the organization so as to decide whether to support or resist
the change. In this particular instance, Walmart is focusing on a change that helps improve their
services by adopting new technologies that will enhance customer services.

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According to Reiss (2012) the management of the organization decided to use Kurt Lewin’s
model of change for effective change management. Lewin described this model as a three-stage
process also known as unfreezing- change – refreeze. During unfreezing, Walmart should be
prepared to accept the change that has to be introduced through breaking up the existing status
quo so as to determine how it shall operate with the new technology. The organization should
make it clear to all the employees the reason of adopting the new technology so as to minimize
resistance to change that usually occur in most cases especially among the employees.
The second step is change where individuals begin applying the new technology bit by bit until it
becomes their routine with time. At this stage the organization should create more emphasis on
the significance of the new technology in business which enhances efficient adoption of the
technology throughout the organization within a short period of time. The last step is refreezing
where the change is very effective and people have fully adopted the new technology in e-
commerce. At this stage, the employees and consumers for the organization’s services are very
comfortable with the new technology enhancing refreezing which is usually evident through the
stability of prices, increased consumer satisfaction etc.

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Resistance to change
This is where the people have a negative attitude towards the newly introduced change. There are
various reasons why the employees of Walmart might resist the technological change (Griffin &
Moorhead, 2012). If the change is sudden people will tend to resist hence a successful change
management plan should be given time. To reduce resistance to change, the management should
try to win the support of key influential individuals within the organization and once they
support the change, it succeeds automatically. The organization can also use manipulation and
cooptation to reduce resistance to change.
Culture
According to Gibson & Hodgetts (2013) Walmart can effect changes easily and introduce a
culture that influences adaption of change. Organizations should understand the necessity of
strategic change because in most cases finances are lost due to poor project performance. An
organizational culture that is impressive to change is usually the best.

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Conclusion
Change in the organization should be appreciated because it enhances the success of the
organization within the competitive business environment. The management should use
appropriate procedure in bringing about the desired change within the organization at any given
time. Resistance to change should be handled well so as to enhance maximum cooperation of all
the employees within the organization.

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References
Burke, W. 2013 Organization change. London: SAGE Publications. (4th ed., p. 175)
Cummings, T., & Worley, C.2014 Organization development and change USA: Cengage
Learning. (10th ed., p. 22).
Gibson, J., & Hodgetts, R. 2013 Readings and Exercises in Organizational Behavior Saint
Louis: Elsevier Science. (1st ed.pp105).
Griffin, R., & Moorhead, G. 2012 Organizational behavior Mason, Ohio: South-Western. (10th
ed., p. 551).
Reiss, M.2012. Change Management Norderstedt: Books on Demand. (1st ed. p80)
Weaver, R., Weaver, D., & Farwood, D. 2013) Guide to network defense and countermeasures
USA: Cengage Learning. (3rd ed., p. 531).