(TCO 11) In Chapter 20 there is a list of eight major factors to consider when dealing with change. Develop a prioritized list of these eight factors and explain why you've ranked them in this order. Support your solutions with reference to specific textbook pages.

? Fear. People fear the unknown, losing their jobs, losing respect or status, failure, technology and automation, and the uncertainty accompanying change.

? Top management support. Employees who sense a lack of top-management support for change wonder why they should endorse it.

? Experience with prior changes. Employees who had a bad experience with prior changes are more reluctant to cooperate.

? Communication. Employees are unlikely to support a change unless the reasons behind it are explained.

? Disruptive nature of change. Requests for information and interviews are distracting and place additional burdens on people, causing negative feelings toward the change that prompted them.

? Manner in which change is introduced. Resistance is often a reaction to the methods of instituting change rather than to change itself. The rationale used to sell the system to top management may not be appropriate for lower-level employees. The elimination of menial tasks and the ability to advance and grow are often more important to users than are increasing profits and reducing costs.

? Biases and emotions. People with emotional attachments to their duties or coworkers may not want to change if those elements are affected.

? Personal characteristics and background. Generally speaking, the younger and more highly educated people are, the more likely they are to accept change. Likewise, the more comfortable people are with technology, the less likely they are to oppose changes.