Strategies for Managing Change - regarding the adoption/use of R4L Resources

Overview How the change is implemented is critical for the successful adoption of new information resources Review several models and concepts for managing change Apply these methodologies to your institutional setting regarding the adoption of Research4Life resources

Broad Concept of Change “Change is a permanent part of life. No matter who we are, where we live, how old or young, we all make changes in our lives. Most of us struggle with change… The ways we change inside, the ways we grow and learn, and become transformed are because of the changes in our lives.” Orlando A, Anaam C. The Change Agent

Change agent an individual who influences clients’ decisions in a direction deemed desirable by a change agency; roles include: develop the need for change diagnosis the problem establish information exchange channels create an intent to change in the clients translate an intent into action stabilize adoption and prevent discontinuance

Conditions for successful change dissatisfaction with the status quo people have the necessary knowledge and skills tools needed to are available implementers have time to learn, adapt, integrate and reflect on change rewards or incentives exist for participants participation in process is expected and encouraged have support for innovation by key players and stakeholders

Resistance to change lack of trust perception that change is not necessary perception that change is not possible relatively high cost fear of personal failure loss of status or power threats to values and ideas social, cultural or organizational disagreements resentment of interference

Exercise 1 Think of one successful change in your work environment. List the successful change variables that were in place. What was the critical factor(s) for the success of the change? Think of some unsuccessful change from your environment. List the resistance to change variables that were present. What was the critical factor(s) that thwarted the change?

Exercise 1 continued Regarding the use and implementation of R4L programs, list some of potential resistance to change factors in your institutional setting.

Everett Rogers: Innovation/Decision Process Model

Three Phases Unfreezing phase - old ways are no longer appropriate and that change is needed Changing phase - select an appropriate and promising approach Refreezing phase – the new approach is implemented and it becomes established

Adoption (Bell Shaped) Curve

Adopter Categories Definitions Innovators – have a great interest in new ideas and a desire to be daring and risky – can cope with uncertainty regarding change – may not be respected by other members of the organization Early Adopters – are the critical group for change/opinion leaders – contain role models for others that respect them for judicious ‘innovation decisions’ – are not too far ahead of the organization as compared to innovators – decrease uncertainty when they adopt new ideas

Adopter Categories Definitions Early Majority – adopts new ideas before the average members of the organization – not opinion leaders/make decisions slowly and carefully – follow with deliberate willingness in adopting change but rarely lead Late Majority – adopts innovations after the majority of the organization – generally are skeptical and cautious – respond to pressure from their peers and new organizational norms

Adopter Categories Definitions Laggards – are isolated and interact with others with traditional values – usually make decisions on what has been done in the past – possess almost no opinion leaders – often are suspicious of change and change agents

Rogers: S-shaped Curve a period of slow adoption before experiencing a sudden period of rapid adoption and then a gradual leveling off

Exercise 2 For the successful utilization of R4L resources in your institution, identify individuals that would be: Innovators Early adopters Early majority Late majority Laggards Opinion leaders in the early adopters’ group

Exercise 2 continued List two or three strategies you would use to work with the opinion leaders. How would you deal with the laggards (and you can be honest)?

Useful Strategies establish a sense of urgency create a guiding coalition develop a compelling vision and strategy communicate the change vision widely empower stakeholders for broad-based action on the vision generate short-term wins consolidate gains and produce more change anchor new approaches in organizational culture

Exercise 3 For your institution’s adoption of R4L resources, how would you utilize the strategies and suggestions listed above? What would be most useful and why? Identify the key (most difficult) issues to overcome for the successful adoption/utilization of R4L. What strategies do you propose to surmount these hurdles? Implement the strategy that you have developed (to be done after the completion of the course)!

Strategy for Stakeholders Identify the stakeholders’ groups whose commitment is required. For each type of stakeholder, describe the needed change, perceived benefits and expected resistance. Develop action plans including ones for the stakeholder groups that are not sufficiently committed. One critical group often ignored is higher-level administration; they must be included one of the key groups.

Exercise 4 For the optimal use of R4L resources, who are the key ‘stakeholder groups’? How would each group benefit from these resources? Which would be the most difficult group to work with and what strategy would you use? How would you involve the administration?

Cautionary note Consequences of innovation can include desirable and undesirable consequences: – direct or immediate results – indirect results or consequences that are a result of the innovation – anticipated or recognized/intended changes – unanticipated consequences that are neither intended or recognized

Goal of innovation or change Dynamic equilibrium – Change occurs at a rate that the institution can cope with it – System can adapt to the change – The organization is not overloaded with too rapid change that leads to an inability to adjust or disequilibrium – Can this be achieved with R4L resources?

Further resources Rogers, Everett M. Diffusion of Innovations 5 th edition Simon & Schuster, 2003 Updated