ORGB 4871 STUDENT ID LAST NAME ASSIGNMENT 1
Introduction
This assignment gives an overview of a major change. In my description, I will discuss the
difference between a voluntary and mandatory change, define the concept of major change,
and elaborate on the factors that enable one to adapt to a change. The report will also examine
the responses to change, the concept of resistance, and obstacles that impede one to change.
My ultimate goal in this assignment is to demonstrate my understanding of a change process
as well as to gain new perspectives.
Part A: Definition and Facilitating Forces
Q1. Discuss the difference between a voluntary change and mandatory change. Describe
one challenge and one success in each of these changes. Use one personal example and
one workplace example. (15 marks)
A voluntary change is one that individuals willingly decides to choose. People
actively engage in this type of change process because of an inner drive to achieve particular
ideals. The facilitating forces may be related to such aspects as education, work, and health.
For instance, to increase chances of a better employment, job promotion, or a better pay,
employees may decide to advance their education or pursue some other short courses related
to or beyond their field. I have found this move important in my career growth whereby I
have decided to pursue a number of courses to enhance my competitiveness in the job market.
A major success of a voluntary change is that it faces minimal or no resistance from the
recipients since it takes place under their influence. However, voluntary change places a
significant burden to individuals since they act as both a change agent and change recipient.
Mandatory change, on the other hand, is a change that one has no control over or that
lacks option. This type of change mostly occurs within organizational frameworks. In the
, case Oticon A/S, for example, employees were notified that all existing departments were to
be taken away (Gould, 1994; Jick & Peiperl 2002). Employees had no option other than
accepting the change. A mandatory change is applicable in instituting radical strategies that
may improve the competitive advantage of an organization, Oticon A/S is a best scenario.
However, this change takes significant time to be effected due to high levels of resistance.
Q2. Discuss your understanding of major change, incorporating information from your
own experiences as well as insights you have gained from this module. Include personal
or organizational anecdotes (actual behaviors or situations) whenever possible. Cite
references to the readings to validate the information you use in this answer. (15 marks)
Change is a natural part of processes of organizational, biological, and natural systems of
growth. Both humanity and organizations continue to face major changes emanating from
environment, culture, economy, politics, technology, and medicine. These forces pose
challenges that require people and organizations to rethink their abilities. According to P.
Senge et al. (1999), failure to rethink will increase intractable problems beyond the reach of
any person or business. Thus, individuals and organizations need to learn how to adapt to
major changes. There are various components to review to establish whether a change is
major.
i. Elimination or reduction of systems, products, or services that were initially
supportive
ii. High levels of risks
iii. A need to learn new and complex skills
iv. A need to assume new set of beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and values
v. A new way of investing resources, time, energy
vi. Adjusting significantly in a short period of time
vii. Coordination of many systems
Introduction
This assignment gives an overview of a major change. In my description, I will discuss the
difference between a voluntary and mandatory change, define the concept of major change,
and elaborate on the factors that enable one to adapt to a change. The report will also examine
the responses to change, the concept of resistance, and obstacles that impede one to change.
My ultimate goal in this assignment is to demonstrate my understanding of a change process
as well as to gain new perspectives.
Part A: Definition and Facilitating Forces
Q1. Discuss the difference between a voluntary change and mandatory change. Describe
one challenge and one success in each of these changes. Use one personal example and
one workplace example. (15 marks)
A voluntary change is one that individuals willingly decides to choose. People
actively engage in this type of change process because of an inner drive to achieve particular
ideals. The facilitating forces may be related to such aspects as education, work, and health.
For instance, to increase chances of a better employment, job promotion, or a better pay,
employees may decide to advance their education or pursue some other short courses related
to or beyond their field. I have found this move important in my career growth whereby I
have decided to pursue a number of courses to enhance my competitiveness in the job market.
A major success of a voluntary change is that it faces minimal or no resistance from the
recipients since it takes place under their influence. However, voluntary change places a
significant burden to individuals since they act as both a change agent and change recipient.
Mandatory change, on the other hand, is a change that one has no control over or that
lacks option. This type of change mostly occurs within organizational frameworks. In the
, case Oticon A/S, for example, employees were notified that all existing departments were to
be taken away (Gould, 1994; Jick & Peiperl 2002). Employees had no option other than
accepting the change. A mandatory change is applicable in instituting radical strategies that
may improve the competitive advantage of an organization, Oticon A/S is a best scenario.
However, this change takes significant time to be effected due to high levels of resistance.
Q2. Discuss your understanding of major change, incorporating information from your
own experiences as well as insights you have gained from this module. Include personal
or organizational anecdotes (actual behaviors or situations) whenever possible. Cite
references to the readings to validate the information you use in this answer. (15 marks)
Change is a natural part of processes of organizational, biological, and natural systems of
growth. Both humanity and organizations continue to face major changes emanating from
environment, culture, economy, politics, technology, and medicine. These forces pose
challenges that require people and organizations to rethink their abilities. According to P.
Senge et al. (1999), failure to rethink will increase intractable problems beyond the reach of
any person or business. Thus, individuals and organizations need to learn how to adapt to
major changes. There are various components to review to establish whether a change is
major.
i. Elimination or reduction of systems, products, or services that were initially
supportive
ii. High levels of risks
iii. A need to learn new and complex skills
iv. A need to assume new set of beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and values
v. A new way of investing resources, time, energy
vi. Adjusting significantly in a short period of time
vii. Coordination of many systems
