Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject Business economics -
Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,3, University of
Hull, language: English, abstract: Charles Darwin's "The survival of the
fittest" describes that only the life form can survive, which is able to
adapt permanently to changing environmental conditions. Darwin's theory
is quite transferable to the economic system, because processes of
change take place on all levels of economic life. Therefore
organisations must undergo a constant adjustment and change process in
order to react fast and flexible to market changes and thus to survive.
This report is concerned with the role of Change Management (CM) and
points at the way ofa su ccessful implementation in a business. In this
connection it is important to keep in mind that each reorganisation is a
singular project, which needs to be adapted to the specific situation
and characteristics of the employees. In addition successful change
management causes exceedingly the personal commitment of the executives,
who must be also willing to change and give up old ways of procedures
and thinking. Following this introduction various drivers to change are
characterised. Next a literature review with definitions to the topic of
Change Management is presented. Described in chapter three is the
concept of Change Management more in detail with organisation as well as
applications and instruments. Here the emphasis is on the implementation
process and its effect on the employees concerned by the change. Thereby
the basic principles and requirements of Change Management are
demonstrated. Subsequently, we take a look in the practice, whereby the
meaning of Change Management is analysed on the basis of a recent study.
In a next step appropriate Instruments of Change Management are
represented followed by three theoretical approaches to Cultural Change.
A critical review regarding strengths and weaknesses as well as an
outlook will conclude this report.
