The characteristic of change in organizations“The future is not the result of choices between alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created-creates first in the mind and in the will, created later in the activity. The future is not a place we will go, but a place we are creating. Paths are not to be found but created, and the activity of making them changes both the signal and the destination.”John Schaar, Futurist2.0 IntroductionChange is an everyday occurrence. An example of such daily change is people arriving in richer countries in search of a better life. The foundation of an organization is its people. Every new person brings something new to an organization. In the previous couple of years four types of changes have been introduced: • “Introduction of major new office technology” • Introduction of major new plant, machinery or equipment • Major reorganization of workplace structure • Major organizational changes how non-managerial employees do their jobs” Source: Morgan, D. and Zeffane, R. (2003) 'Employee involvement, organizational change and trust in management'. International Journal of Human Resource Management. vol. 14, No. 1, p.64.3.0Change versus StabilityIn a changing world, the organization must change to survive and thrive. Furthermore, while doing so, it must still employ people to produce goods and services as normal, even if additional effort is required of them as they experience the change. So the dilemma is to balance change with stability. A further problem is how poor countries and weak organizations manage change. 4.0 PEST Factors Influence most organizations, their strategies, structures and operational means, including human resource practices. ORGANIZATION Political factors • Government legislation • Government ideology • International law • Rights • Wars • Local law • Taxation • Trade union activities Economic factors • Competitors • Suppliers • Currency exchange rates • Wage rates • Government economic policies • Economic policies of other countries • Policies of lending by financial institutions • Changes from public to private ownership Socio-cultural factors • Demographic trends (customers and employees) • Lifestyle changes • Availability of skills • Attitudes towards work and employment • Attitudes towards minority groups • Sex role issues