What are the essence of change in business organizations ?

Change is the rule of nature. This is an immortal truth preached by God Krishna thousands of years ago. As Swami Chinmayananda in his explanation to a saying from Bhagavad Gita quotes, “Nothing can remain the same, even for a short period, in the world of objects where change alone is the changeless law.”(Chinmayananda, 1989, p.161) So this truth is known to mankind since long yet change is always avoided and resisted; reason being a fear of unknown. Business organizations are no exception to this truth. When change happens, existing systems are replaced by new ones and a fear of unknown appears. “Resistance comes from a fear of the unknown or a need for things to remain stable.” (Cameron and Green, 2009, p.121)

Business organizations face both internal as well as external changes. While internal changes are many times planned, the external changes are sudden. External changes are mostly taken in a negative sense as they are unplanned and demand quick response. But there is a need to understand that change is not always negative and it may also have positive impacts on business. Sometimes a change may help to solve existing problems of business. A change in economic factors like interest rates and trade policies can benefit particular industry or a technological change like advent of sophisticated software may fasten the complete process and improve productivity. A legal change may open new avenues for success of a business and a social change may enhance customer base of the firm or industry. (Harris and Hartman, 2002, p.p.345-350)

As Dublin has said, “Change is hard, and necessary. Without change, people become stagnant and organizations die.”(Dublin, 2007, p.11) Thus change is an essence of business organization and it is not always negative.

References:

• Chinmayananda Swami, The Bhagavad Gita: Chapter I & II. 1989. Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai.
• Cameron E. and Green M., Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models, Tools & Techniques of Organizational Change. 2^nd Edition. 2009. Kogan Page Limited.
• Dublin L., Leadership Excellence. Vol. 24 Issue 12. 2007.
• Harris O.J. and Hartman S.J., Organizational Behavior. 2002. Best Business Books.