Introduction
The aim of this week literature synthesis is to define the relationship between changes and crisis, but also to investigate the reasons why a change can lead to a crisis. Further, it shall be analyzed if a crisis can be avoided or tamed and why the company culture is important in regard to prevent crisis.
Relationship between change management and crisis
Change management, particularly to see change as a process has its origin, according to Armenakis and Bedeian (1999) in the work of Lewin (1947, cited in Armenakis and Bedeian 1999, p. 301).
Lewin (1947, cited in Burnes 2004, p. 985) argued that a successful change project goes through three different phases. First step is to “unfreeze” the current state or mind set of company. In the second step, according to Armenakis and Bedeian (1999, p. 305) the change occurs. In this phase of the change process the output of this moving is according to Burnes (2004) very difficult to predict too many forces are involved. However, there is an awareness for challenging the old ways. In step three the new state will be according to to Armenakis and Bedeian (1999) institutionalized and consolidated. Burnes (2004) argues that the new behavior must be stabilized to avoid a new round of disconfirmation.
Because of the big uncertainties in regard of the forces which influences the change process a crisis can occur. According to Pauchant and Mitroff (1988) the most important and dangerous forces are the unconscious ones. One of
Kurt Lewin had a good contribution in regard to setting certain model related to management changes. This model has three main stages, starting from unfreezing, moving to changing with refreezing and finally refreezing. This model represents a very easy and practical model to comprehend the change processes, Lewin did clarify that an organization would go through change due an importance which reflects on the organization’s level of proficiency and efficiency of work; all of which goes through three stages and ends at the point of adapting the new behaviour after the enhancement process. Lewin’s model is still very popular and utilized in many modern models (Morrison, 2014).
The objective of this case is to understand the importance of crisis management. This case is intended to make the reader consider not only financial implications at the time of the event but the effects on the long term strategies of the organization. Also, the case urges participants to think about the consequences not only on the customer but on those within the organization as well.
From the analysis, the crisis arose from a series of biased or irrational individual and organizational behaviors. To avoid the catastrophic effect, each individual and organization must change their behaviors.
No matter how easy is may seem on the surface, the unfreezing, moving and refreezing stages of Lewin’s 3-Step model must be taken (Lewin, 1946). These stages are difficult and persistence by the organization in sticking to its objectives for growth and improvement must remain a top priority. In reality no matter how many positives a new idea is there will always be resistance when it is introduced. Change management is therefore central to the process of making the transition from the old system to the new and change management practices should be employed throughout the transition (ITIL,
The author will employ a combination of two change theories. Kurt Lewis’ Unfreeze-Change-refreeze theory and John Kotter’s 8 Steps of leading change. A summary of the steps is attached below (Taner, R. 2015).
In the article entitled “Lewin’s Theory of Planned Change as a Strategic Resource”, the author, Shirey (2013) stated that Lewin’s approach to change involves looking at the forces that are needed to diminished or strengthened in order to bring about change within an organization. Burnes and Cooke (2012) added to Shirey’s point by noting that it is important to understand the psychological forces influencing peoples’ behavior at a given point in time before change can be made. Both authors main point of agreement is that there are a number of forces that drive, restrain or balance peoples’ behavior. These authors stated that organizational change is necessary to meet consumer needs. Also, as technology changes, such as the change from the paper medical record to the EMR, health care organizations have to adopt these changes to improve patient safety. In addition, change provides a learning opportunity for employees and allows
Leading and managing change require a solid theoretical foundation. This assignment will research the theoretical elements of change and change management. Addressed will be the following: Organic Evolution of Change, Formulating Strategic Development Approaches, Leadership and Management Skills and Gathering and Analyze Data. As societies continue to evolve and changing demand creates the need for new products and services, businesses often are forced to make changes to stay competitive. The businesses that continue to survive and even thrive are usually the ones that most readily adapt to change. A variety of factors can cause a business to reevaluate its methods of operation. According to literature from the past two
John F. Kennedy once said “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity.” In reflection, the true nature of crisis management emerges. Too often, the modern world focuses on the sensationalization of violence, death, and crises without considering any good that can emerge. Crises, and effective management, often lead to policy, social, and institutional changes which make society better off than it was before. While all five dimensions of t’Hart’s model maintain a necessity for symbolic action within crisis management theory, clearly opportunity has consequences which will be long-term and widespread. Therefore, I conclude that the fulfillment of t’Hart’s model serves as an infinite window of hope – where crisis managers, and future simulation participants, can strive to not only help people survive, but
Burnes, B. (2004). Kurt Lewin and the planned approach to change: A re-appraisal. Journal of
In order to examine this issue further, this research will look at a number of different sources. Contemporary managerial sources are explored in order to understand how other voices in the field are describing similar methods for change. First, popular structures for change management are examined, especially within their correlation to Palmer & Dunford (2009). This is followed with an extensive
The aim of this report is to provide a critical analysis of the concept of change in the business industry. The concept of change can be tracked back to Lewin’s Model of Change therefore the intitial introduction of this report focuses on the relevance of the Model of Change and its importance to giving precedence to other relevant change management theories and how Kurt Lewin’s work on heavioral science and planned change during World War II gave rrise to prominence of experimental leadership and planned change processes which also in turn launched a new generation of research that lead to group dynamics and how change programs are implemented into an organisation (Burnes, 2004). This is important because today’s basic elements or factors
Kurt Lewin developed a model of the change process that has stood the test of time and continues to influence the way organizations manage planned change. Lewin’s change model is a three-step process. The process begins with unfreezing, which is a critical first obstacle in the change process. Unfreezing involves encouraging individuals to shed old behaviors by changing the status quo. The second step in the change process is moving. In the moving stage, new attitudes, values, and behaviors are substituted for old ones. Organizations accomplish moving by initiating new options and explaining the rationale for the change, as well as by providing training to help employees develop the new skills they need. The last step in the change process is Refreezing. In this step, new attitudes, values, and behaviors are established as the new normal. The new ways of operating are concrete and reinforced. Managers should ensure
According to Kurt Lewin’s change model (1947), there are three aspects of managing organizational change: unfreezing, change intervention and refreezing. By observing the change model, all four characters are seen to go through the freezing stage when they found the first cheese station.
What is a crisis management? It is an unexpected crisis that happens on the company that will affect the trust and loyalty of the stakeholder. It can be extremely costly because it will affect the company reputation and brand. For example like financial failure from poor business management, workplace violence, fires, cybercrime, computer viruses, product tampering or union strikes and other external issue like damaged economy that causes from London bombings, terrorists attacks on 11 September and others. The SHRM 2005 report indicates that only 56% organizations created or revised their disaster preparedness plans but 45% did not after the terrorist attacked on
According to Lillibridge and Klukken (1978), crisis is an event or situation that cause " 地n upset in equilibrium at the failure of one's traditional problem-solving approach which results in disorganization, hopelessness, sadness, confusion, and panic" (62). In the face of crisis, there is an urgent need to swing to action and communication is the only vehicle that can convey this message to everyone concerned. When crisis occur, communication challenges becomes worsened because the