CHANGE MANAGEMENTAamir Firoz Shamsi [BBA

6]

ParticipationCase: In 1958, there was a men’s apparel

manufacturing Company. Top management wanted to changeover

from batch process to the continuous flow process.

Despite good labor-management relations, there was a long history of resistance to change.

There were 800 employees in three plants. Question: How a strategy is developed and

implemented.

Participation is NOT…

Participation IS…

Need for Participation

An effective participative program must be based on a philosophy that the input of employees can

contribute to the effectiveness of an organization, as well as

achieve quality of work life and personal satisfaction for the

Employees.

Participation and Decision Making

There are four approaches.1. The manager decides without any input

and informs subordinates of the decision2. The manager asks for input from

subordinates (either individually or as group), considers the input, then decides and informs subordinates of the decision.

3. The manager conducts a problem-solving conference with subordinates to reach a consensus on the decision.

4. The manager empowers the subordinates to make the decision.

Question: Which approach is the best one.

“When” of ParticipationAssumption is you have decided to make a

radical change in your department:A.From the beginning, tell your subordinates

some of your thoughts – including the need for the change – and get their reactions.

B.Make a “tentative” plan and ask your subordinates for their reactions and comments.

C.Prepare a final plan and sell it to your subordinates by explaining the need for the change and how you arrive at the final plan.

Question: Which alternative gets more input?

Cautions to Consider Participation management is not a panacea

for solving all problems and for making everybody happy.

“Participation is something that the top orders the middle to do for the bottom”.

This approach will certainly fail.

While Nissan establishing a plant in US, top management stated that they will get rid of any manager who does not believe and practice the company philosophy of participative management.

This becomes an important criterion in both selection and promotion.

Cautions to Consider

The question of whether participation should be voluntary or mandatory

must be carefully considered.

Cautions to Consider

People vary in their desire to participate.

CASEMOVING INTO A NEW MANAGERIAL JOB

Read the case and present as per following Instructions:

Background of Case Problem Identification Change Methodology Implementation Strategy