1. Underlying Assumptions of the Simulation
Several assumptions underlie the instructional design of the Making Change Happen
simulation. The goal of training about change in organizations should be to develop knowledge that leaders can apply in the workplace.
Globalization is reshaping the work lives of people in organizations throughout the world. Emerging technologies, the growth of new knowledge, a rapidly evolving global economy, as well as political and cultural changes are creating a new context for organizations. In just a short span of time, the capacity to change has become a core competency for organizations throughout the world. Organizations that are unable to adapt to these changes will not survive, regardless of their sector, industry or geographic locale in which they operate. That change does not come easily, either to people or the organizations they in habit. There is a natural inclination among people to avoid the discomfort of the unfamiliar, to seek stability, and to resist change. The same tendency holds true for organizations whose structure and culture have a built-in bias to maintain policies, processes, and traditions of the past. New managers quickly learn that they will have to “overcome resistance” from individuals, groups, and business units if they seek to initiate organizational change. Resistance to change is often portrayed in the management literature as the largest obstacle to making change happen in organizations. The corporate culture at Best Inc. is strong but stagnant. Many employees have been with the company for a long time. Thus, they have a deep sense of loyalty to the company.