Coping with Change- Necessary Content in Management Development?

Abstract

T his paper focuses on one dimension of the managerial role-the manager's ability to come to grips with change. The widespread adoption of open systems thinking requires the recognition of the sensitivity of the organisation to external forces beyond its direct control.

The theme of the paper is to explore the case for recognition of change aspects in management training and develop ment programs and to give explicit recognition to the needs of managers to be prepared to cope with the rapid build-up of change pressures. Thus account is taken of knowledge, skills and attitudes involved in coping with change, at the personal level.