Abstract

The present case study deals with the multiple organizational issues faced by a mid-sized retail firm. The case study is based on real-life experiences encountered by a newly appointed HR manager while introducing initiatives to bring about change in the overall organizational culture, how she faced resistance from the existing employees, and what she did to make change ‘a way of life’ in the company. The case study, which is fictionalized, discusses how Shop-n-Shop started from humble beginnings in 2000 and grew to a mid-sized company in Hyderabad, necessitating a new perspective on managing employees. The key focus of the case is on how important ‘change’ is to an organization. In the course of the discussion, the case revolves around different personality types that are inter-woven around the roles in the case. Other issues such as the challenges an HR manager faces in dealing with different personalities at the work-place and ensuring that they work cohesively toward a common goal are also discussed. Lastly, the role of CEO or the leader who needs to believe in the significance of changing his own self in order to spread change amongst his employees is highlighted.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• To understand the importance of making an organization ready to accept change
• To understand the process of bringing about change into an organization
• To understand the application of John Kotter’s 8 step plan for implementing change in an Organization.
• To learn to identify different personality styles through individual working patterns
• To understand the importance of Person-job fit

Keywords

Organizational behavior, Organizational change, Human Resource Management, Change management, Process for leading change, Personality, Big Five personality model, Personality styles, Person-Job fit, Organizational culture, Performance, Role play