Description
One of the seminal studies and theories related to change management is Kurt Lewin’s Change Management Model. Components of his work are identified in many other theories, so understanding this theory offers insight into the change management process.
In this assignment, provide a brief overview of Lewin’s Change Management Model, including his rationale for creating this theory and the intended role this model would address in change management. Then discuss the three stages of change implementation and explain the importance of each stage. Be sure to use the terminology for each stage of Lewin’s model as outlined in the text.
Finally, Lewin’s theory was created in the 1940s. How would you modify/alter his theory to ensure that it remains relevant and applicable within KSA? Discuss any changes to be made to his theory to reflect today’s business environment, both globally and within KSA.
Your well-written paper should meet the following requirements:
- Be 6 pages in length, which does not include the title page, abstract or required reference page, which are never a part of the content minimum requirements.
- Use APA style guidelines.
- Support your submission with course material concepts, principles and theories from the textbook "Cawsey, T. F., Deszca, G., & Ingols, C. (2016). Organizational change: An action-oriented toolkit (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing. ISBN-13: 9781483359304"
- at least 4 scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles.
Explanation & Answer
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Running Head: Lewin's Change Model
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Lewin’s Change Model
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Lewin's Change Model
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Lewin's Change Model
Change management involves the process of altering the way of doing things or
something to achieve the desired purpose. Kurt Lewin’s Change Management Model offers
insight into the change management process as most of its components enhance understanding.
This paper discusses Lewin’s change management model, Lewin’s rationale and intended role of
the theory in the process. Additionally, explains the three stages of change management. The
paper also discusses how the theory can be modified to remain relevant and applicable within
KSA. Besides, suggests any changes that can be made to the theory to reflect the current business
environment both globally and within KSA.
Kurt Lewin’s Change Management Model
Rationale and Intended Role in the Change management process
Kurt Lewin is a social psychologist who invented the Lewin’s change management
model. Lewin’s model is one of the most famous change management models in the business
environment. Organizational change is something that runs across all organizations despite the
size or industry (Shirey, 2013). According to Hussain et al. (2016), change management is a
challenging process for organizations. Several theories have been developed to promote
effectiveness and modification of the processes, structures, and strategies. Lewin’s theory
comprises of three stages, or instead, steps include unfreeze, change and freeze (Bakari, Hunjra
& Niazi, 2017).
Lewin’s theory was developed to give a leader, manager or change agent a basis to
implement change. Lewin’s theory assists the change person to make radical changes, reduce
disruption of the structures and enhance adoption of the change. The model was intended to
ensure a successful change implementation process.
Lewin established the change management theory on the assumption that every change is
planned. Therefore, human beings are the basis of whatever change is being made, whether
system related, behavior related or structure related. In any organization, people react differently
to change. The model promotes change acceptance by minimizing possible resistance through
the application of change restraining and driving forces. The two types of forces drive or hinder
change, therefore, considering their impact is critical to the process. Driving forces refer to the
things or reasons that motivate people towards change. Restraining forces present the things or
reasons that encourage resistance to change. Lewin developed the theory believing that people
enjoy working and operating in secure places (Bakari et al., 2017).
According to Lewin, the change process involves developing the idea or perception that
change is needed. After creating the perception, the people should move towards the desired or
new change or behavior making it a norm (Shirey, 2013). Lewin’s model is used in almost all
areas, despite the formation period in the 1940s the model is still applicable today.
Lewin explained his model using a cube of ice as he is a scientist. Lewin states that to
change the shape of an ice cube, an individual has to melt it first that is unfreezing. After melting
or unfreezing it, the individual molds the ice into the shape they want for instance put in a
triangle container and finally solidify the ice by refreezing it while in the newly acquired shape.
Lewin's Change Model
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The method explains Lewin’s model of change management that occurs in three steps, unfreezechange- refreeze.
Three Stages of Change Implementation
Lewin’s model of change follows three steps or stages which have been mentioned earlier
in this paper. The first stage is unfreeze, the second stage changes and the third is refreeze or
freeze. Each stage performs a significant role in the change management process thus important
on its way.
Unfreeze
Like the ice cube illustration, to change the shape an individual has to melt it down or
unfreeze. When it comes to an organization, the first stage of...