Abstract
The focus of this paper is to discuss how “Resistance to change can be successfully overcome by systematically following John Kotter’s 8 step model of change management!” by utilizing relevant literature and discussing the model with referring to real case studies. The aim is to evaluate if the model can always succeed to overcome resistance to change. The last is made through a comparison between John Kotter’s 8 step model of change management and another approach to overcome resistance; which is by following the three phases Strebel’s personal compact theory suggests. To evaluate these models a discussion based on two case studies of two organizations is included. These organization have been through change processes in the 1980s and 1990s and are; Philips electronics and Eisai natural pharmaceutical company.
1. Introduction
Success of change in organizations depends on various factors, but one that can threats it is the power of resistance to change. Organizations are not operating in isolation of its external environment which is constantly changing and therefore can’t afford not to change accordingly too. There are different drivers to change and resistance in organizations. Change is driven by change agents how have a certain power that is used to direct the operation toward goals (Fleming & Spicer 2007). Organizational change can be: emergent or planned. The differences between them are the tempo of change and the degree of risk of the innovation (Ibid). Resistance can also take different shapes: active resistance, which takes forms such as being critical, blaming or accusing and blocking; and passive resistance, which includes agreeing verbally but not following through or simply failing to implement change (Ibid). Based on this distinction many models and approaches to minimize resistance to change have been