Question

1. What are the main (most common) barriers to change? Explain why these barriers occur.

2. Give examples of strategies for implementing change. In which conditions would these strategies be effective? When would they not be (so) effective?

3. How could resistance to change be overcome?

Answer 1

ANSWER 1:

The main barriers to change are as follows:

1. Resistance by employees

The employees resist change because they fear that the organization's culture would change and they might not fit in that culture. For example, the management wants to bring digitalization in the company but the employees are resisting it because they are not used to the new technologies. They would fear losing their job due to their inefficiency in the new technological aspects.

2. Lack of support by the top management

The support of top management is an important factor for bringing change in the organization. The lack of such support acts as a barrier to change since the organization cannot get a proper direction towards which it should move.

3. Lack of resources and budget

The lack of resources (both human and material) and budget also acts as a barrier to change. It leads to ineffective implementation of the change. For example, a company wants to change the manufacturing procedure and it requires a new type of machinery but the company does not have enough funds to buy it, neither it has skilled labor who can operate such machines. Thus, the lack of proper human resource and budget acts as a barrier to change.

4. Ineffective communication

When the message is not understood by the receiver as it was meant to be understood by him, this is often called as an ineffective communication. Communication is an important factor that helps to guide, support, and motivate the employees for bringing change to the organization. Ineffective communication may act as a barrier to change as it would not help the management to guide and motivate the employees effectively.

ANSWER 2:

Strategy for implementation of change	Conditions where it would work effectively	Conditions where it would not work effectively
1. Providing incentives to the employees for accepting change	(A) When the company has enough funds and resources it can use this strategy. (B) When the employees would get settled with the incentives and readily accept change.	(A) When the company does not have enough funds and resources. (B) When the employees do not comply with the changes even after providing the incentives.
2. Using the authority and ordering the changes through force	(A) The employees do not rebel and obey the orders. (B) There is no trade union of employees and workers.	(A) The employees fight back when the management puts pressure on them by protesting. (B) When there are trade unions present, it is difficult to presuurise the employees and workers.
3. Training the employees where they can understand the importance of change	(A) When the company has enough financial and other resources to conduct training programs. (B) When the change is not required urgently and the organization can spend time in training the employees.	(A) When the company does not have enough financial and other resources. (B) When the change is required urgently and the company can not spend much time on training.
4. Gradually implementing the change	When the company has enough time	When the change is urgently needed.
5. Hiring experts for implementing change	(A) When the company has enough money to hire such an expert. (B) When the expert and the management coordinate with each other effectively.	(A) When the company does not have enough money. (B) When the expert and the management do not coordinate with each other well.

ANSWER 3:

The resistance to change may be overcome in the following ways:

1. Effective communication

The management may use their effective communication skills to convince the employees to accept the change and mould themselves according to it. The manager may describe the importance of the change for the organizational welfare and he should tell them how the individual employees would benefit from this change. The manager can negotiate with the employees, if needed, to overcome their resistance to change by using his effective communication skills.

2. Use of leadership skills

A good leader guides his followers and motivates them to follow his plans and ideas. The management may use their leadership skills to guide the employees towards the change and motivate them to accept it. A charismatic leader can charm his followers with his personality and make them follow his commands.

3. By increasing employee involvement

The employees should be encouraged to get involved and participate in the implementation of change and in the decision making process. This would make them feel more belonged to the organization and they would readily accept the changes.

4. By motivating the employees

The employees can be motivated to accept the change by providing them incentives. The incentives can be monetary and non-monetary. The employees might give up their resistance to change when they would be provided with incentives.