THE BMZ ACADEMY
THE BMZ ACADEMY
@061 262 1185/068 053 8213
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, THE BMZ ACADEMY
Question 1 – Maximum of 1 500 words [20]
As a BCom Honours student registered with the University of South Africa’s
(Unisa) Centre for Institutional Change, your lecturer, Mr. L Shanduko, has asked
you to write a 1 500-word essay on recognising the need or opportunity for
change at an organisation you work for, or one that you previously worked for.
To write and submit an academically sound essay that blends theory and
practice, Mr. Shanduko has asked you to use the prescribed study materials as
your primary source of theory as well as publicly available company information
to link theory and practice. However, to expand your knowledge and
understanding of the phenomenon you are writing about, Mr. Shanduko has
asked you to identify and use relevant supplementary material that can be
accessed and downloaded from the Unisa Library or other public databases. In
your essay, critically discuss the following: (i) the business model innovation
and (ii) the digital revolution facing many organisations across industries.
Recognising the Imperative for Organisational Change: Navigating Business
Model Innovation and the Digital Revolution
Introduction
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability of an organisation to not
only recognise the need for change but also to identify opportunities for transformation
is paramount for survival and sustained success. The way organisations manage
periods of significant change has become a dominant theme, underscoring the critical
role of managers in understanding and responding effectively to both potential threats
and emerging opportunities. This essay will critically discuss two key forces that
necessitate organisational change across industries: business model innovation and
the digital revolution. It will draw upon the different sources to explore the theoretical
underpinnings of recognising these drivers of change and will highlight the importance
of a proactive and adaptive approach for organisations navigating this complex
environment.
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, THE BMZ ACADEMY
The Foundational Importance of Recognising the Need for Change
Organisations operate within dynamic environments, and to thrive, they must be
attuned to emerging opportunities and potential threats. Implementing change is
presented as the ultimate test of how well managers understand their organisations
(Hughes & Wearing, 2021). Changes can impact both the supply of resources an
organisation relies on and the demand for its products or services. Therefore, the
fundamental learning outcome for any student of organisational change management
is the ability to assess the need for such change. This assessment involves referring
to the agenda for change and exploring possible patterns of organisational change
management. Furthermore, the types of change and their implications for change
management practices are crucial considerations. Recognising the need for change
early provides organisations with a wider array of options in deciding how to manage
it effectively. As Burnes (2017) as cited by Crawford (2021) notes, the pace of change
is accelerating, requiring organisations to navigate an increasingly complex
environment to gain a competitive advantage.
Business Model Innovation as a Catalyst for Change
Business model innovation entails fundamentally rethinking how an
organisation creates, delivers, and captures value (Mielke, 2021). The emergence
of new business models, often enabled by technological advancements, presents both
opportunities for growth and disruption to existing players. Figure 2-3 showcases
several new business models that are dependent on digital technology, including on-
demand services, the freemium model, completely free offerings, the marketplace
concept, prioritising access over ownership, and the development of ecosystems.
These models represent a departure from traditional ways of conducting business and
necessitate that organisations critically evaluate their current approaches.
Strebel's cycle of competitive behaviour highlights the need for managers to anticipate
technological and economic changes to remain ahead of the competition (Hughes &
Wearing, 2021). This cycle oscillates between innovation and efficiency, with break
points that can potentially be predicted by paying close attention to competitive trends.
Organisations that fail to innovate their business models risk being overtaken by more
agile and adaptive competitors. To effectively recognise the need for business model
innovation, organisations should systematically search for viable opportunities and
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
THE BMZ ACADEMY
@061 262 1185/068 053 8213
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, THE BMZ ACADEMY
Question 1 – Maximum of 1 500 words [20]
As a BCom Honours student registered with the University of South Africa’s
(Unisa) Centre for Institutional Change, your lecturer, Mr. L Shanduko, has asked
you to write a 1 500-word essay on recognising the need or opportunity for
change at an organisation you work for, or one that you previously worked for.
To write and submit an academically sound essay that blends theory and
practice, Mr. Shanduko has asked you to use the prescribed study materials as
your primary source of theory as well as publicly available company information
to link theory and practice. However, to expand your knowledge and
understanding of the phenomenon you are writing about, Mr. Shanduko has
asked you to identify and use relevant supplementary material that can be
accessed and downloaded from the Unisa Library or other public databases. In
your essay, critically discuss the following: (i) the business model innovation
and (ii) the digital revolution facing many organisations across industries.
Recognising the Imperative for Organisational Change: Navigating Business
Model Innovation and the Digital Revolution
Introduction
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability of an organisation to not
only recognise the need for change but also to identify opportunities for transformation
is paramount for survival and sustained success. The way organisations manage
periods of significant change has become a dominant theme, underscoring the critical
role of managers in understanding and responding effectively to both potential threats
and emerging opportunities. This essay will critically discuss two key forces that
necessitate organisational change across industries: business model innovation and
the digital revolution. It will draw upon the different sources to explore the theoretical
underpinnings of recognising these drivers of change and will highlight the importance
of a proactive and adaptive approach for organisations navigating this complex
environment.
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
, THE BMZ ACADEMY
The Foundational Importance of Recognising the Need for Change
Organisations operate within dynamic environments, and to thrive, they must be
attuned to emerging opportunities and potential threats. Implementing change is
presented as the ultimate test of how well managers understand their organisations
(Hughes & Wearing, 2021). Changes can impact both the supply of resources an
organisation relies on and the demand for its products or services. Therefore, the
fundamental learning outcome for any student of organisational change management
is the ability to assess the need for such change. This assessment involves referring
to the agenda for change and exploring possible patterns of organisational change
management. Furthermore, the types of change and their implications for change
management practices are crucial considerations. Recognising the need for change
early provides organisations with a wider array of options in deciding how to manage
it effectively. As Burnes (2017) as cited by Crawford (2021) notes, the pace of change
is accelerating, requiring organisations to navigate an increasingly complex
environment to gain a competitive advantage.
Business Model Innovation as a Catalyst for Change
Business model innovation entails fundamentally rethinking how an
organisation creates, delivers, and captures value (Mielke, 2021). The emergence
of new business models, often enabled by technological advancements, presents both
opportunities for growth and disruption to existing players. Figure 2-3 showcases
several new business models that are dependent on digital technology, including on-
demand services, the freemium model, completely free offerings, the marketplace
concept, prioritising access over ownership, and the development of ecosystems.
These models represent a departure from traditional ways of conducting business and
necessitate that organisations critically evaluate their current approaches.
Strebel's cycle of competitive behaviour highlights the need for managers to anticipate
technological and economic changes to remain ahead of the competition (Hughes &
Wearing, 2021). This cycle oscillates between innovation and efficiency, with break
points that can potentially be predicted by paying close attention to competitive trends.
Organisations that fail to innovate their business models risk being overtaken by more
agile and adaptive competitors. To effectively recognise the need for business model
innovation, organisations should systematically search for viable opportunities and
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213
