Introduction
I have selected organizational changes within the ADKAR change model described in the course text. The organization changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The place where the change occurred was the state of Arizona, US (Psychological Pathways, 2023). The organization in question is a Mental Healthcare Services Company that has switched from offline psychological counseling to online sessions. A large number of employees of the organization were transferred to permanent remote work.
Forces Influencing Change
Economic
COVID-19 has served as a reason for the growing economic crisis in the world. Based on expert assessments and analytical forecasts, the fall of the global economy in 2020 will be within 3-5% of the level of 2019 (Weiss, 2016). Additional travel expenses for offline meetings with psychologists and a busier work schedule due to the need for additional income would lead to the loss of clients. Therefore, as a result of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, the Mental Healthcare Services Company decided to switch to remote psychological counseling.
Technological
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the need for digital transformation of enterprises, which is caused by the transition to a neo-industrial model of economic development. The digital economy contributes to technological breakthroughs, the creation of new points of economic growth, and, as a result, the innovative development of the economy as a whole (Weiss, 2016). Therefore, digitalization has allowed modern industries to adapt to the numerous challenges of changing external conditions and increasingly complex socio-economic processes that require instant changes. For this reason, the transition to online consultations using information technology was necessary for the Mental Healthcare Services Company.
Geopolitical
In accordance with the change in the nature of the main geopolitical factor in the COVID-19 process, the nature of the key trend of the global geopolitical process has also changed. Due to the need to unite in the common fight against the pandemic, globalization processes in the fields of online services have intensified (Psychological Pathways, 2023). Such a geopolitical situation allowed Mental Healthcare Services Company to attract foreign clients, subject to the transition to a remote consultation mode.
Sociocultural
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on literally all spheres of sociocultural life. Informatization, reinforced by such a serious global challenge as the coronavirus pandemic, has shown the possibility of ambivalent use of information space resources both for economic gain and for changing social communications (Weiss, 2016). The specifics of communication through information channels have created new opportunities for interested social groups to receive psychological assistance, including online consultations.
Environmental
The direct impacts of global human activity on the environment during the COVID-19 pandemic began to worry scientists and people more strongly. This is due to the fact that the source of more than 70% of all new human diseases on Earth is representatives of wildlife (Palumbo & Manna, 2019). This is also facilitated by global processes such as deforestation, expansion of agricultural production, infrastructure, mining, and invasion of alien species. This leads to an increase in the population’s frequency of direct contact with disease vectors. One way to reduce the environmental impact is to abandon the daily use of public transport, which can be achieved by switching to an online mode of operation.
Other Macro Forces
Other macro factors are the growing demand for psychological services and increased competition. This is due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psyche, including increased anxiety and depression (Shepherd et al., 2019). Therefore, to remain competitive and meet market trends, Mental Healthcare Services Company switched to online consultation mode.
The Rationale for Choosing the Model
The ADKAR change model describes transformation at the employee level. This strategy was chosen because the team of psychologists is a fundamental element in Mental Healthcare Services Company; therefore, when implementing changes, it is necessary to rely on them first. It is a more effective choice than the Cotter model because the Cotter model focuses too much on the psychology of people involved in the change process (Weiss, 2016). However, since the work is carried out with a team of psychologists, the Cotter model may not be perceived correctly by the team.
Effects of Change
Shareholders
For shareholders, the effects of the changes will be minimal on financial investments. There will no longer be a need to rent premises for employees. One can run a business by investing only in website designers and the work of an online platform. In addition, business automation in an online format will allow for tracking sales dynamics, prediction and generating indicators, and studying various reports (Psychological Pathways, 2023). This will allow the company to develop better and be more competitive, which will increase shareholders’ profits.
Employees
One of the main advantages of remote work for employees is that they no longer need to spend time and money on a trip to work. They also get extra time for private life and professional development (Weiss, 2016). As a result, their stress level at remote work also decreases. In addition, employees have the opportunity to leave the metropolis and improve their lives by choosing a place with better air quality and medical care, a healthier public environment, and better schools for their children.
Customers
During online therapy, the client can study from anywhere in the world. However, the format of online therapy complicates the creation of a therapeutic alliance (Shepherd et al., 2019).
Society
Informatization within the framework of change affects the way of life and material and spiritual culture. It has led not only to an increase in the volume of information and the creation of local and global systems and networks, databases, and knowledge but also to the emergence of fundamentally new technologies, a new culture, and a new type of society (Psychological Pathways, 2023). It can be said that informatization is a fundamental projection of the global process of social transformation.
Environment
Among the positive consequences of the changes for the environment are a decrease in global fuel and energy consumption and a decrease in industrial production. Against the background of remote work, the share of renewable energy has sharply increased, and many coal-fired power plants have been closed due to unprofitability (Weiss, 2016). This form of employment dramatically reduced the number of trips to and from the office, which led to a reduction in emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Conclusion
Remote employment has proven to be beneficial despite the organization’s challenges. Organizations will only expand the amount of remote labor in the near future and look for new technology opportunities for their business. Therefore, the implementation of organizational changes in the Mental Healthcare Services Company using the ADKAR model can be considered successful.
References
Palumbo, R., & Manna, R. (2019). Making educational organizations able to change: A literature review. International Journal of Educational Management, 33(4), 734–752. Web.
Psychological Pathways. (2023). Mental healthcare services, Arizona. Web.
Shepherd, D. A., Wennberg, K., Suddaby, R., & Wiklund, J. (2019). What are we explaining? A review and agenda on initiating, engaging, performing, and contextualizing entrepreneurship. Journal of Management, 45(1), 159–196. Web.
Weiss, J. W. (2016). Organizational change (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.