Skip to main content

Role of Change Agent in Organizational Development & Change

By

Role of Change Agent in Organizational Development & Change



Change agents are the persons who initiate change and  manage change in the organizations. They are specialized  in theory and practice of managing changes. The change agent may be a member of organization or an outsider such as a consultant. An internal agent very well knows the organization and have ability, knowledge and experience of directing people for changes. But, internal agent is removed from regular duties to concentrate on the transition. However, external agents view the organization from the system point of view and is much affected by the organization norms. 

Top managers also prefer hiring specialized consultant change  agents as they can offer more objective prospective than insiders. External experts are, however, not well aware of the desires and attributes of the employees, therefore, the changes suggested by them are generally resisted by the employees.
Change agents have five set of powers as support of managers is essential but not enough. Following are the powers, 
  1. High status given by the members of the client organization, based on their perception that the change agent is similar to them in behaviour, language etc.
  2. Trust based on his consistent handling of information and maintaining proper role in the organization.
  3. Expertise in the practice of organizational change.
  4. Credibility based on experience with previous clients.
  5. Dissatisfied constitutions who see the change agents as the best opportunity to change the organization to meet their needs.
There are four subject matters which a change agent can change.
  • Structure: Structure is defined as how the tasks are formally divided, grouped and co-ordinated. For inastance, change in plant layout or new technique can only succeed when the structure is changed according to change in environment. He may also change responsibility, authority, functions, performance according to the need of the change. He might also redesign jobs or work schedule.
  • Technology: The introduction of new equipment and work process is technological change. Automation or computerization is the common technological change. Major technological changes involve introduction of new tools and equipment, automation, computerization.
  • People: This involves changing attitudes and behavior of members through communication, decision making and problem solving. They help individuals to work more efficiently and effectively together. The changes may only be possible in case the members are positive. In case there is lack of agreement, stress and tension occurs with the employees.
  • Physical Setting: It involves change in interior design, equipment placement, plant layout, tool placement. These changes are helpful in organizational development. Physical setting considers flow process, information flow and outcome. The smoothness of flow increases the effectiveness of changes.
Key Learning Point:-
The basic objective of change agents is to increase effectiveness, performance and satisfaction.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING AT WIPRO

By
HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING AT WIPRO Overview of Wipro Wipro started   as vegetable oil company in 1947  Azim Premji, a graduate in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, at the age 21, repositioned and transformed Wipro (Western India Vegetable Products Ltd) into a consumer goods company  Producing hydrogenated cooking oils, laundry soap, wax and tin containers. 1975 - Wipro Fluid Power to manufacture hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders. At that time, it was valued at $2 million. 1977 - Entry into information technology sector. 1979 - developing its own computers 1981 - selling the finished product. 1980 - moved in software development 2000 - Wipro Ltd ADRs were listed on the New   York Stock Exchange. Employs more than 1,00,000 people in over 50 countries.  A career at Wipro means to learn and grow continuously, opportunities to work on the latest technologies alongside the finest minds in the industry, competitive sala...
1 comment
Read more

Retail Formats Classification, Key Features, Advantages and Disadvantages

By
Retail Formats (Classification, Key Features, Advantages and Disadvantages) Retail Formats can be classified into the following categories: Store Based:  Store based formats can be further classified into two formats based on the basis of Ownership or Merchandise offered. Non Store Based Classification:  Non Store retail organizations focus on establishing direct contact with the consumer. This may be both personal (direct personal selling) and nonpersonal TV, the Internet, mail, catalog or phone). Service Based Classification:  Such retailers specialize in providing different kinds of services to the end consumer. The services can be classified as Banking Services, Rentals, Electricity, cooking gas, etc. Various factors like quality of service, how much customization can be provided for meeting the client specific requirements, the uniqueness of the service and delivery within the timelines, usage of innovative technology, etc, are given importance fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Purple Cow (Book Summary) : New era Marketing by being Purple cow

By
New era Marketing by being Purple cow The Purple cow Here are 3 lessons from the book: We live in the third era of advertising, where marketing is mainly done through word-of-mouth. Not taking risks is riskier than taking risks. If you want your product to succeed, focus on early adopters as your first customers. Lesson 1: Today marketing is mainly done through word-of-mouth recommendations. Seth walks us through the history of advertising and says there were three distinct periods. Before advertising  was way back in ancient times, when people could only spread the word about great deals with their mouths. For example in ancient Rome, when one of the vendors on the market sold particularly good fish, everyone who bought one would of course tell all their friends and family. Likely, the next time they’d go to the market, they’d visit that same vendor. During advertising  was the time during the 18- ...
Post a Comment
Read more