Answer:
Five specific forces that are acting as stimulants for change are:
a) Political Environment: This refers to the actions, laws, and regulations instituted by governments to control or regulate the activities of individuals and groups. The political environment can force individuals and groups to embrace changes in their behavior and practices. For example, governments at all levels impose income tax laws which must be complied with. Such laws will cause changes to happen at the individual and organizational levels. They can stimulate demand for goods and services. Nations, organizations, and individuals are also affected by world politics in various ways.
b) Demographic Forces: Demography is about the population of an entity. Changes in population dynamics can stimulate changes that modify the actions of individuals, organizations, and nations. In Japan with the number of old people who need care has exceeded new births. This demographic change has caused demand for old people's services to skyrocket while dampening demand for childcare products and services. A company engaged in the production of childcare products will be affected. Workers will also be affected as some may require retraining to fit in with the demographic demand.
c) Technolog: Technological advances have forced many changes in individuals, organizations, and nations. Sometime ago, European countries were the destinations of choice for manufactured products. But, due to technological advances, manufacturing of hardware products has been shifted to China, while most Europeans have embraced technological services, creation of software, and the internet of things. Technological changes can break or make businesses, even individuals and nations.
d) Social Trends: With environmental awareness created, global warming caused by the depletion of the ozone layer, and desertification of the natural environment by deforestation, many consumers are changing their attitudes and preferences to encourage biodiversity. Businesses have altered their practices in line with social trends and consumer preferences. Governments have intensified programs to check the damage to the environment.
e) Economic changes: During the 2008 worldwide recession, consumers lost their jobs. Individuals, businesses, and governments cut back on their spending. Economic downturns impacted businesses negatively. Many banks failed. Some banks and other companies filed for bankruptcy. To survive the economic forces, changes were embraced by many individuals, organizations, and governments. Companies which experienced stagnant U.S. sales during this time, took the opportunity to expand their markets to Africa, Europe, and Asia. Some other companies even relocated their production bases to those markets. These also created ripple effects, further dampening domestic jobs, demand, and gross domestic product.
Explanation:
Change is the only constant. But, changes are difficult to embrace. When they happen, there are consequences. Prudent individuals and organizations anticipate change. They prepare to embrace changes. They do not wait for change to happen. They implement changes. Change is a natural part of growth. We must work for it.
Changes can happen as a result of external forces as discussed above. There are also changes within entities. They are known as internal changes. Internal changes happen at the individual, group, and organizational levels. They may affect the workforce. Some changes are brought about by changes in managerial personnel and organizational structures. Some changes happen as a way to avoid developmental inertia. Overall, changes are good.
