Your manager has discussed with you various elements implementing a major change within your organisation. He or she is not convinced that doing this has merit. Your manager feels that this may threaten management's authority base.

You have been asked to compile a report on a major change that your company is about to embark on. Your topic can been on any area of change that has already been implemented in your company or is planned to be implemented in the near future. Remember, that you are required to present your findings at a mini seminar to senior management of the company. Some examples of areas of change could be:

(a) Quality system introduction (ISO9000).

(b) Human resource planning.

(c) Recruitment and the selection process.

(d) MRPII system.

(e) Training including management, organisation and career development.

(f) New production process and/or facilities.

(g) Performance appraisal, rewards and compensation administration.

(h) Installation of a new computer system and/or software packages.

(i) Occupational Health and Safety programme.

(j) Introducing new technology such as CIM, FMS, TQM, JIT, etc.

(k) Installing the latest technology equipment such as machines, telephones, etc.

(l) Environmental Management System introduction (ISO14000).

Depending on your report, and how convincing your presentation is, management will decide on whether to adopt or reject your findings. Your report should show evidence of extensive reading and must also show typical applications of the techniques researched together with your suggested plan for implementing your chosen change area in your company. It must be in your own words, be in a standard report format and, as a minimum, should include:

1. (a) The basic principles of the change area.

(b) Details of the techniques involved.

(c) Advantages and limitations of the change activity.

(d) Techniques which are most suitable for the change area chosen.

(e) Relative costs of introducing the change activity into your company.

(f) How you are going to overcome resistance to the change activity.

(g) Training and education necessary.

(h) How the principles and techniques can be introduced into your company.

2. All sketches, diagrams, photographs, etc. should be clearly labelled. Marks will be awarded for your layout and format.

3. Your report should include a bibliography of books, articles, quotations from trade publications and people consulted to obtain your data.

4. Your report and presentation should be ready for submitting by Week 16 (June 6 2001) of the first semester.