The Impact of Self Interest in Relation to Change Essay

The Impact of Self Interest in Relation to Change - Essay Example Change is a  crucial  part of  our  lives. Change in organizations is also an  important  factor. In the words of Arthur Schopenhauer, â€Å"Change alone is continuous, eternal and perpetual.† According to this assertion, the permanency and inevitability of change can neither be underrated nor overemphasized (Smollan, 2011). The fact that not all change is  positive  should not  deter  individuals from embracing change. However, change must be approached from an informed point of view. Both the proponents and opponents of change must  appreciate  that all change tags along discomforts and drawbacks. This essay will  seek  to address the impact of self interest as a motivator that inspires change (Robbins & Judge, 2011). According to Machiavelli’s â€Å"†¦. there is nothing harder and hazardous, or more uncertain of success, than an effort to introduce a new sequence of  things†¦for  the pacesetter has for enemies all those who benefit from the status quo whilst those who support the new †¦will be but lukewarm defenders.† This quote thus suggests that the introduction of change in any setting faces some  level  of resistance (Robbins & Judge, 2011). ... ge† must be achieved.  Resistance to change alludes to the action adopted by individuals and groups when they  sense  that a change that is happening as a threat to them (Cartwright, 2005, p. 301).  This  resistance  is encountered  within organizations, although it can also be found in other places.  Man’s habitual tendency to tread the path of least resistance bars him from accepting change.  In an organization, this  resistance  can also be deemed  positive. Resistance to change affords a  level  of  stability  and certainty of behavior by preventing  abrupt  change. Absence of such resistance would lead to a  situation  of chaotic randomness within the organization. In an attempt to  discuss  the causes of resistance, this paper will  classify  the causes into; individual resistance,  group  resistance  and organizational resistance (Robbins & Judge, 2011). Individual resistance Individual resistance arises due to conflicting perceptions, needs and personalities.  Most of the reasons as to  why such resistance occurs may be  lucid  or emotional. The reasons for  individual  resistance  are listed  hereunder: Economic reasons In an  organization,  when a new technology  is introduced, the technology will  encounter  some  level  of resistance. The employees may  dread  that the new technology will  render  them  jobless. Usually, new technology necessitates  further  training  and replacement of  unskilled  staff  by  skilled  staff  and  therefore, the employees will  oppose  the change. In organizations where the rate of pay  is pegged  on the workers productivity, the workers may fear that the new technology will cause them  miss  their  production  targets and thus  lower  their earnings Psychological factors The psychological factors that  breed  resistance