Change From Science - Focus on the Stakeholders

There are two main directions of change. The first is about resistance, the energy that is spend to keep a change from influencing you, of your organization. The other is the promotion of change. This is exactly the opposite direction. In both cases you need to analyse the stakeholders for understanding why the change is resisted (in the first case) or why it is proposed (the second case).

The recent Pluto statement -- about redefining the definition of a planet -- is a typical example of the second case. Somehow there are stakeholders who will benefit from this new definition. Who are they?
There is a difference between fundamental and applied science. The first is not bothered with commercialization, whereas the other is. Fundamental science may impact our society, but this happens sporadically. In the beginning of the previous century our thoughts where influenced by the discovery of quantum mechanics. And centuries before the findings of Galileo changed society even more.

More often changes come from applications. Mobile technology for example made our life and society more flexible. This is the commercial stakeholders side. Today science is business. Life without biotechnology is already hardly imaginable, whereas we have just started to experiment with it. As one example.

In that light the "new" statement about Pluto should be analyzed as such; what is at stake here? IF we solve this question we are able to understand the change.
The first stakeholders are the scientists themselves. In light of current demanding result driven society, they are best off with new insights, changes and discoveries. If they can not find anything of real importance they should earn a cut in remuneration.

Other stakeholders (on the commercial side) are the publishers. They are also possible sponsors of new research. The official educational publishing market focused on schools is not the most profitable publishing markets. Companies like Wolters Kluwer and Reed Elsevier have left these markets and fully dedicate themselves on the science market. Which is much more profitable.
Changing schoolbooks could serve as a reasonable stake if you think about the current Planet discussion. What else would benefit from "publishing" this new definition?

2006 Hans Bool

Hans Bool is the founder of Astor White a traditional management consulting company that offers online management tools. Have a look at some of our free management tools

Management, Change and… Stakeholders
Stakeholders are those groups of people or institutions that have a stake in your company (where you are not always aware of). There are many general...

The Three Sides of The Change Box
Picture a change as a huge box the change box, with three sides: the fundament, the depth and the breadth and...not to forget whats inside the box: t...

Common Sense Change Control in Regulated Life Science Environments
There is no doubt that life science companies are highly regulated. Between the FDA, ISO, EMEA (Europe), CLIA and additional regulatory organizations,...

A Revolution (And A New Habit) In Quality System Process Management For Pharmaceutical Companies
A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit.----Desiderius ErasmusIn an age when life science companies stand to make millions or...

Training Mojo - Developing a Culture of Training
When the training department is up and running and your courses are being delivered regularly, does that translate into your firm having a training cu...

Managing Change - The Wrong Approach
I often ask clients how they would handle challenges associated with leading change. Questions like: how would you get started? How would you know tha...

Change Management Checklist Give Your Change Program a Quick Health Check
Approach to ChangeHow is your change initiative going? Are managers and employees singing from the same hymn sheet or are you seeing constant bickerin...

Leading Change; Four Principles for Staying in Control
When leading a change programme, the bare minimum requirement of a leader is to be seen to be in control.The people you are leading will have a range ...

Change Management - Why the High Failure Rate?
Change Management is the buzz word of business the world over.Change may refer to a simple product change, a system change, a change in IT methodologi...

Change Is What Will Stimulate Growth In Your Business Or Organization
We have heard much in the present presidential contests about "Change". Change seems to be the operative word that candidates in both camps are champ...

Managing Change Successfully - Six Layers of Resistance
Why is there resistance to change? Are people just naturally perverse, or are there concerns which if understood and correctly dealt with will create ...

5 Benefits of a Simplified Change Control System that Encourages Employee Participation
Change control is an aspect of almost every regulated life science environment. Change control systems allow company employees to quickly observe ano...

Business Improvement Project Mechanics, Business Dynamics, Corporate Optics and Office Politics
This article looks at how business dynamics impact the orderly improvement of the business.Business Dynamics are internal/external pressures to streng...

Managing In Tough Times - Communication Is Key
Change is guaranteed and change is constant. Based on recent studies, 72% of those reading this will be doing something different in 2 years. There wi...

The Change Management Wisdom Of Casey Stengell
Casey Stengell, the former great manager of the New York Yankees, once summed up at least part of his baseball philosophy by saying "the key to managi...