Sonnenshein (2010)

What are the two perspectives from which change resistance is viewed according to the text?

According to researchers, what is one primary activity managers engage in to overcome resistance to change?

What criticism did Buchanan and Dawson (2007) make about the narrative of change?

What does the model proposed by Isabella emphasize regarding the understanding of change narratives?

How do scholars theorizing about change as a linguistic accomplishment view the role of narratives?

Change Management, Resistance, and Meaning Construction

Change management research often focuses on managers overcoming employee resistance, viewing employees as obstacles to change.
This narrative often overlooks employees' own interpretations and constructions of change, which can influence implementation.
Employees may not always resist change; they may have meanings consistent with promoting change.
A more dynamic understanding of meaning construction can help improve understanding of employee responses and improve change implementation.

Project Convert: MallCo to BigBoxCo Light

MallCo was undergoing a rebranding to BigBoxCo Light to leverage BigBoxCo's success.
Employees were initially unfamiliar with the BigBoxCo brand and its associated changes.
The rebranding involved unifying two previously separate divisions.
Changes involved inventory systems, POS systems, and store aesthetics.
MallCo was facing negative comp sales for over five years.
The rebranding was intended to raise revenues and drive additional sales.
There was a cultural divide between BigBoxCo and MallCo which could hinder the success of the rebranding.
While BigBoxCo Light was marketed as a new store, the core systems and operations remained largely unchanged to avoid penalizing existing customers.
Customers, once crossing the lease line, should feel like they're in a BigBoxCo store.
The strategy of incorporating the store's new identity should be communicated to customers.

This quiz explores the dynamics of change management, focusing on the often-overlooked perspectives of employees during transitions. It highlights the importance of understanding employee interpretations of change, particularly in the context of MallCo's rebranding to BigBoxCo Light. Discover how meaning construction influences both resistance and support for organizational change.