Deliverable 4 – Using Sociological Theory to Understand Organizational Change
Competency
This competency will allow you to demonstrate your ability to examine organizational changes that are due to technological changes and apply the sociological theory that would explain such change.
Instructions
You have recently started working for a local department store in the Operations Department. Upon settling into your new position, you come to realize that they have outdated business practices. As a department, you and your peers begin to discuss changes that your store could make to help the store become more profitable and more competitive in the marketplace. This leads to discussions about the evolution of business practices at larger corporations such as Apple, Microsoft, Kohl’s, etc. Partway through your discussion, your Director of Operations comes in and joins the conversation. He likes what he is hearing and starts to brainstorm out loud with the group how your store can get “more with the times.”
Knowing that every change within an organization is made for a specific reason, your director asks that you research some of the key theoretical perspectives that would explain how and why organizations change. Because of your sociological prowess from your days in school, you know that you can apply Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interaction Theory to the reasons for organization change, but your supervisor has asked for a minimum of three theories that would support change.
In addition to conducting research on theoretical perspectives for change, your supervisor would like you to put together some sort of visual representation that demonstrates how each of the theories explains organizational change, and then highlight the one that you think is most applicable to your store. You will be presenting your visual presentation to store management in an effort to provide them information so that they can determine the avenues of change that are most appropriate for your store. Because your supervisor sees the value in the changes to the organization, he has encouraged you to create a presentation that will grab the attention of the audience and that includes both pictorial and written information so that all the audience can easily envision the application of the change to your environment.
For this presentation you are to reflect and address the following information/questions:
- Provide a brief definition of Conflict Theory.
- Provide a brief definition of Symbolic Interaction.
- What changes have been made in various aspects of society (work, school, shopping, etc.)? Explain them through the lens of Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interaction Theory.
- How do Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interaction Theory explain or impact organizational change?
- Identify at least one other sociological theory, and demonstrate how it applies to organizational change in our society.
- Of the three identified theories (Conflict, Symbolic Interaction, and the theory of your choice), which theory do you believe best explains organizational changes in our society? Consider various aspects of the organizations that change i.e. technology, online, and face-to-face transactions, local versus global operations, etc.
Grading Rubric
| F | F | C | B | A |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| No Pass | No Pass | Competence | Proficiency | Mastery |
| Not Submitted | No noticeable attempt to define theories. | Correctly defines theories. | Defines key theories in detail. | Thoroughly defines key theories with supporting research. |
| Not Submitted | No noticeable attempts to explain changes in society by applying theories. | Correctly explains changes in society by applying theories. | Explains changes In society by applying theories in detail. | Thoroughly explains changes in society by applying theories with fully supported examples. |
| Not Submitted | No noticeable attempts to explain organizational changes in society by applying theories. | Correctly explains organizational changes by applying theories. | Explain organizational changes by applying theories in detail. | Thoroughly explains organizational changes by applying theories with fully supported examples. |
| Not Submitted | No selection of additional theory. | Selects an additional theory with brief application to organizational change. | Selects an additional theory with application to organizational change explained in detail. | Selects an additional theory with application to organizational change. Fully supported examples. |
| Not Submitted | No selection of theory. | Selects preferred theory with brief explanation of organizational change. | Selects preferred theory with support through explanation and personal examples. | Selects preferred theory and fully supports through explanation and examples. |
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
This assignment asks you to use sociological theory to explain why and how organizations change. You have been tasked with researching and presenting three theories that explain organization change, as well as choosing one that you believe best explains organizational changes in our society.
1. Provide a brief definition of Conflict Theory.
Conflict Theory is a social theory that asserts that society is characterized by inequality, with those in power using their resources to maintain their position. Conflict theorists argue that social institutions (like organizations) are created and maintained to reinforce the power of the dominant group, rather than to promote the well-being of all members of society. Conflict theorists believe that social change is driven by conflict between groups with opposing interests.
2. Provide a brief definition of Symbolic Interaction.
Symbolic Interaction is a social theory that examines how people interact with one another and create meaning through symbols (like language, gestures, and other forms of communication). Symbolic interactionists argue that individuals negotiate meanings and create their own reality through social interaction with others. They believe that social change is created through the actions of individuals and that changes may occur slowly over time as people negotiate their meanings and interactions.
3. What changes have been made in various aspects of society (work, school, shopping, etc.)? Explain them through the lens of Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interaction Theory.
Through Conflict Theory, changes in various aspects of society (such as work, school, and shopping) can be explained as the result of struggles between those who hold power and those who do not. For example, changes in labor laws or educational policies may reflect power struggles between employers and employees or politicians and constituents.
Through Symbolic Interaction Theory, changes in society are explained as the result of individual interactions. For example, changes in consumer behavior (such as the rise of online shopping) may reflect changes in how people interact with technology and with one another.
4. How do Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interaction Theory explain or impact organizational change?
Conflict Theory suggests that organizational change is driven by struggles for power within the organization. For example, changes in management structure or policies may reflect struggles between different factions within the organization. Symbolic Interaction Theory suggests that organizational change is driven by individual interactions within the organization. For example, changes in workplace culture may reflect changes in how employees interact with one another.
5. Identify at least one other sociological theory, and demonstrate how it applies to organizational change in our society.
One example of a sociological theory that can be applied to organizational change is Institutional Theory. Institutional Theory suggests that organizations are shaped by external pressures to conform to social norms and expectations. For example, changes in environmental regulations may pressure organizations to adopt more sustainable practices, even if such practices are not immediately profitable.
6. Of the three identified theories (Conflict, Symbolic Interaction, and the theory of your choice), which theory do you believe best explains organizational changes in our society? Consider various aspects of the organizations that change i.e. technology, online, and face-to-face transactions, local versus global operations, etc.
The theory that best explains organizational changes in our society may vary depending on the context of the change. Conflict Theory may be most applicable when there are power struggles within the organization that drive change. Symbolic Interaction Theory may be most applicable when changes are driven by individual interactions within the organization. Institutional Theory may be most applicable when changes are driven by external pressures from society or the environment. Ultimately, the choice of theory will depend on the specific organizational change being considered.
