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Kurt Lewin, a famous German psychologist, created the concept for change
management. The Lewin model is sometimes referred to as the three-stage transition
model. The three-stage model of change is a prevalent change management paradigm. The
three-stage model of change is used to effect organizational operations and functions
modifications. The Kurt Lewin Model of Change Management is a well-known and
commonly used paradigm for managing change in organizations. The model was devised
by social psychology pioneer Kurt Lewin to assist businesses in identifying, evaluating,
and managing change projects. The model includes three stages: defrosting, movement, and
refreezing. Each of these phases is aimed to assist businesses in identifying, evaluating, and
managing the consequences of change efforts on the company.
Unfreezing, altering, and refreezing are the three phases of the three-stage model of
change. The first step of the three-stage paradigm of transformation is defrosting. In the
unfreezing phase, the organization is prepared for the transition. The second step of the
three-stage model of change is the altering stage (Burnes & Bargal, 2017). The altering
phase is used to carry out the change. The third step in the three-stage paradigm of
transformation is the refreezing stage. Refreezing is done to solidify the transformation.
The three-stage model of change is a prevalent change management paradigm. The three-
stage model of change is used to effect organizational operations and functions
modifications. Unfreezing, altering, and refreezing are the three phases of the three-stage
model of change.
In today's enterprises, the demand for change is rising. The need to create and
implement new knowledge and technology, to react to client expectations, to adapt to the
changing requirements of workers, and to maintain global market competitiveness is rising.
Change management is a method that facilitates this shift for companies. It is a method for
transitioning people, teams, and organizations from their present condition to their intended
future state. Change management is the application of information, skills, tools, and
procedures to a transition to guarantee that changes to a business process or system are
implemented easily and effectively (Burnes & Bargal, 2017). Change management is a
method for transitioning people, teams, and organizations from their present condition to
their intended future state (Farrell, 2018). Change management is the application of
information, skills, tools, and procedures to a transition to guarantee that changes to a
business process or system are implemented easily and effectively. This study's primary
purpose is to determine the effect of organizational change on workers and how they adjust
to the changes. Change management is a method for transitioning people, teams, and
organizations from their present condition to their intended future state. Change
management is the application of information, skills, tools, and procedures to a transition to
guarantee that changes to a business process or system are implemented easily and
effectively. This study's primary purpose is to determine the effect of organizational change
on workers and how they adjust to the changes.
In the early 1940s, Kurt Lewin created one of the most well recognized and
influential models of organizational transformation (Bennett, 2006). Lewin's unfreezing-
change-freezing model highlights that change is a process that transfers an organization
from its existing condition (the freeze) to a new, desired state (the unfreeze). Lewin thought
that for change to be effective, it must pass through three different and consecutive phases:
unfreezing, altering, and refreezing. In the period of defrosting, an organization is prepared
for change. This occurs when the existing state is "thawed" and the organization is
prepared to transition to a new state. Lewin argued that this phase is essential for change to
occur since it is when the organization breaks down its present, comfortable, and familiar
methods of doing things. This phase is sometimes the most challenging since it needs
people to let go of the past and be receptive to new methods of operation. The altering
phase is when the real transformation takes place. This is when the company implements
the new processes that were determined in the defrosting phase. The transitional period
might be challenging since it demands workers to conduct themselves differently. They
may be unfamiliar with the new procedures and fight the change as a result. In the period of
refreezing, the new methods of doing things become the norm. This is when the
organization "freezes" the new procedures so they become the new status quo. The
importance of the refreezing phase lies in the fact that it guarantees that the modifications
made during the altering phase are embraced and used by the business for the long term.
Change management.
There are several tools and methods for managing change. Change management
teams, planning for change management communications, and change management training
are among the most popular tools and methods for managing change. Plans for change
management outline the procedures that must be followed to properly execute a change
(Fullan & Michael, 2019). Teams of individuals known as change management teams are in
charge of organizing and directing the change effort. Plans for communicating changes to
the organization's members are known as change management communication plans
(Farrell, 2018). Employee understanding and adaptation to the change are the goals of
change management training. Kurt Lewin's three-stage approach for change implementation
in businesses is known as the Change Management Model. The moving stage is intended to
carry out the change, the unfreezing stage is intended to inspire change, and the refreezing
stage is intended to make the change lasting. Lewin's approach is popular in business and
useful in many different sectors.
Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze, another name for Kurt Lewin's Change Management
Model, is a method that may be used to bring about change inside businesses (Lewin, 1951).
Unfreezing, altering, and refreezing are the three stages of the model. The first stage in
unfreezing is developing a feeling of dissatisfaction with the present circumstance. This
may be accomplished by explaining the need of change as well as its advantages. Making
adjustments is the second phase, which is called changing. Changing existing rules,
practices, or processes may accomplish this. The final phase, refreezing, entails integrating
the modifications and making sure they become the new standard. This may be achieved
through offering personnel training and assistance, as well as by monitoring and assessing
the changes' effects. Any business may implement change using the change management
model, but it works especially effectively for firms that are undergoing transformation. It is
a versatile model that may be customized to meet the unique requirements of the company.
The father of social psychology is Kurt Lewin. The change management model that
he developed is frequently used in the social and behavioral sciences. The three-stage theory
of change developed by Lewin, upon which the model is based, contends that all change is a
process that passes through three distinct and predicable phases: unfreezing, altering, and
refreezing. By comprehending the three phases of change and the activities that must be
performed in each step, the model is intended to aid people and organizations in navigating
the change process. When people or organizations first realize that a change is necessary,
they are at the unfreezing stage. As individuals attempt to make sense of the novel
circumstance, this is often a moment of uncertainty and disorder. When people or
organizations make the adjustments, it is known as the second stage, or transforming. As
individuals adjust to the new environment, this is sometimes a period of upheaval and
unrest. Refreezing is the third step, when people or organizations cement the changes and
incorporate them into their new way of operating. As individuals adjust to the new reality,
this is often a moment of stability and order. A useful tool for people and organizations
going through transition is the change management model. Knowing what stage of
transformation a person or organization is in and what has to be done at each level may be
helpful.
There are several types of change management abilities. The abilities needed for
effective change management include interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication
skills. Effective information transfer requires communication skills. Possessing problem-
solving abilities is being able to recognize and fix problems. The capacity to communicate
successfully with people is referred to as interpersonal skills. (De Witte & Rogiest, 2017).
The importance of communication in developing change preparedness, lowering
uncertainty, and securing commitment has been acknowledged as a crucial aspect of
organizational change success. It has been observed that communication within the context
of change may educate, engage, and even inspire partners to fully participate in the change
process. Over the last ten years, researchers and practitioners have been more interested in
the relationship between communications and organizational transformation. A number of
them have underlined the critical role that communications plays in change processes, and
some of them believe that communications and organizational transformation are processes
that are irrevocably intertwined. The literature study makes it clear that change is a
communication difficulty, or in a perspective close to this, that the main issue with change
implementation is communication. The actions involved in implementation are inevitably
accompanied by communication processes.
Frahm and Brown used comparisons between two companies involved in
incremental change processes to apply Kent and Taylor's five Principles of Dialogic
Communication to Public Relations in an organizational change scenario, and they created
a starting point for additional research. They looked examined how communication about
change affected people's openness to it. Surveys, participant observation, focus groups, and
document analysis were all used in the study's approach.
There are several issues with change management. Resistance to change, a lack of
employee participation, a lack of communication, and a lack of resources are the most
frequent problems with change management. The most frequent problem in change
management is resistance to change. It is the hardest obstacle to overcome and may lead to
the failure of a change initiative (Burnes & Bargal, 2017). The second most frequent issue
with change management is a lack of employee participation. It may result in personnel
turnover and the failure of a change initiative. The third most frequent problem with
change management is a lack of communication. It may result in miscommunication and
conflict, as well as the failure of a change initiative. The fourth most frequent problem with
change management is a lack of resources. It may result in the failure of a change attempt
and delays in the change's implementation.
Kurt Lewin claimed that three key psychological forces—drive, structure, and self-
image—could be used to explain human personality in his 1943 work, "A Dynamic Theory
of Personality" (Burnes & Bargal, 2017). Lewin contends that this constant confrontation
between these forces is what gives origin to the dynamic and ever-evolving character of
human personality. Lewin's theory has had a significant impact on psychology since its
beginnings, especially in the fields of social psychology and organizational behavior.
Although the theory is widely accepted, it has recently come under fire for lacking
scientific rigor and failing to address some of the most crucial aspects of human nature.
Lewin's thesis has been heavily criticized for, among other things, failing to effectively
explain how individuals evolve through time. The theory contends that the factors of drive,
structure, and self-image are largely responsible for determining personality, ignoring the
role of learning and growth in personality change (Burnes & Bargal, 2017). This argument
is especially pertinent in the context of change management since effective organizational
transformation requires a knowledge of how individuals change. Lewin's approach also
ignores how emotions affect a person's personality. Lewin's theory pays little regard to
emotions, despite the fact that it is well recognized that they have a huge impact on how we
behave.
Finally, the idea falls short of providing a satisfactory explanation for why some
individuals are more resistant to change than others. This is an important problem in
change management since one of the most frequent barriers to effective organizational
transformation is resistance to change. Lewin's theory of personality offers a helpful
beginning point for comprehending the complex nature of human personality,
notwithstanding its flaws. To acquire a more complete knowledge of human personality, it
is vital to keep in mind that the theory has its detractors and should be used in combination
with other psychological theories.
There are several different approaches to change management. The Lewin model of
change, the Kotter model of change, and the ADKAR model of change are the three most
popular change management techniques. Unfreezing, altering, and refreezing are the three
steps of the Lewin model of change (Burnes & Bargal, 2017). A sense of urgency must be
established, a guiding coalition must be formed, a vision and strategy must be developed,
communication of the change vision must be made, broad-based action must be
empowered, short-term wins must be produced, gains must be consolidated to produce
more change, and new methods must be institutionalized. This is the Kotter model of
change, which is a process that consists of eight steps (Fullan & Michael, 2019). The five-
step ADKAR model of change process entails.
Kurt Lewin, a social psychologist of German descent, created a model of change in
the early 1940s that has grown to be one of the most important in the study of
organizational behavior. According to Lewin's theory, sometimes known as the "force-field
model," change is a result of the interaction between two opposing forces: those that
promote change and those that thwart it. Other academics have developed and improved
Lewin's model throughout time, and it continues to be a well-liked framework for
comprehending and controlling organizational change. Lewin's original theory refers to the
force causing transformation as "unfreezing." This energy stands for the desire for change
brought on by discontent with the current situation (Fullan & Michael, 2019). The
"freezing" force is that which opposes change. This force stands for people's contentment
with the current situation and their aversion to change. These two factors interact to decide
if the change will occur and, if it does, how it will happen. Lewin's model suggests that
there are three main ways in which change might take place. "Changing the present
equilibrium" is the first step. When the forces causing change are powerful enough to
overcome the factors preventing it, this form of change takes place. The second kind of
alteration is referred to as" Known psychologist Kurt Lewin created a change management
framework that is frequently utilized in the corporate sector (Fullan & Michael, 2019). One
of the most well-liked and efficient methods for managing change is his, known as Lewin's
Change Management Model. Three phases make up the model: unfreezing, altering, and
refreezing. Unfreezing is the first phase, which is meant to assist people and organizations
in becoming more adaptable to change. This is accomplished by instilling a feeling of
unhappiness with the present circumstance and by offering a picture of a better future. The
true change happens at the second stage, changing. This is the point at when people and
organizations pick up new skills and alter their behavior as needed. Refreezing, the third
phase, is when the modifications are cemented and rendered irreversible. This is
accomplished by ensuring that the new conduct is reinforced and accepted as the new
standard. One of the most well-liked and efficient models for managing change is Lewin's
Change Management Model. It's crucial to remember that there are certain drawbacks to
this strategy. The model, according to others, is oversimplified and fails to take complexity
into account.
Different academics have given varying definitions of the term "adaptation." For instance,
"the process of adapting to new situations" is one definition of adaptation (Dixon, 2006, p.
2). The definition of adaptation is similar: "the act of adapting to new or changing
circumstances" (Folger & Poole, 2000, p. 4). According to these definitions, adaptation is a
process of adjustment that takes place in response to brand-new or altering circumstances.
There is no agreement on what constitutes adaptation, despite the fact that the idea of
adaptation has been described in a variety of ways. According to some academics,
adaptation refers to the process of adjusting in response to environmental change (Dixon,
2006; Folger & Poole, 2000). Others define adaptation as an adjustment process that
follows an internal change (Easterby-Smith & Araujo, 1999). Others claim that adaptation
is an adjustment process that happens in response to both internal and external change
(Burns & Stalker, 1961). The fact that there is no widely accepted typology of adaptation
only serves to exacerbate the lack of agreement on the idea of adaptation. For instance,
some academics have asserted that there are three categories of adaptation: ecological,
organizational, and technological (Dixon, 2006). Others have said that there are four
different categories of adaptation: cultural, organizational, institutional, and technological
(Folger & Poole, 2000). Others, however, have said that there are five different categories
of adaptation: social, organizational, institutional, economic, and technological (Easterby-
Smith & Araujo, 1999). Some academics claim that the idea of adaptation is "nebulous"
and "not especially helpful" due to the lack of agreement on the subject (Easterby-Smith &
Araujo, 1999, p. 5). Nevertheless, despite the lack of agreement on the definition of
adaptation, the literature on the subject has expanded recently and a number of academics
are now doing empirical study on the subject.
The management of change may be approached in a variety of ways. The strategies based on
the works of Kurt Lewin (1951), John Kotter (1995), and William Bridges are the most
popular (1991). The three-stage model of change, which consists of unfreezing, altering, and
refreezing, is the foundation of the Lewin method to change management (1951). The Kotter
approach to change management is based on the eight-stage model of change, which includes
instilling a sense of urgency, assembling a steering coalition, creating a strategic vision and
initiatives, disseminating the change vision, empowering staff for widespread action,
producing short-term wins, consolidating gains and producing more change, and
institutionalizing new methods (1995). The three-stage model of change, which includes
endings, transitions, and new beginnings, serves as the foundation for the Bridges method to
change management (1991).
Fig. 1. Model of organizational change shows Kurt Lewin’s three steps models: Note: The
arrows show different stages of Kurt Lewin’s three steps models and not the relationship
between variables.
The conceptual framework of this study encompasses the factors that contribute to
the GLC’s performance. These factors include leadership styles, organizational culture,
organizational structure, communication, technology, and human resource management.
The model of change management proposed by Lewin is used to understand how these
factors influence GLC’s performance. The model includes three components that describe
how GLCs can use change management to improve their performance:
1) Unfreezing: This step involves unlearning old behaviors and attitudes that may be
hindering GLC’s performance. This step is important to create a positive environment in
which change can occur.
2) Changing: This step involves learning new behaviors and attitudes that will help improve
GLC’s performance. This step is important to develop an effective change management
plan.
3) Refreezing: This step involves consolidating the new behaviors and attitudes that have
been developed. This step is important to ensure that the new behaviors and attitudes are
integrated into the GLCs organizational culture.
Change
Management
Strategies
Change
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Techniques
Change
Management Change Business
Skills Management Performance
Change
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Practices
Commitment
of Change
Change
Management
Challenges
Change
Management Affective Continuance Normative
Methods
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