Factors that Influence Organisational Changes: A case study of River Island
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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ABSTRACT
This research explains the concept of organisational change. Organisational change if affected by various factors, divided into two categories: Internal Factors and External Factors. This research is based on studying the factors that influence organisational change. Furthermore, the research is based on the case study of River Island store. The store is famous for its outstanding designs and denim products. By interviewing the frontline employees and managers of the organisations, the impact of internal and external factors was analysed. Furthermore, the study highlighted costs, customers focus, employees' performance, cultural factors, environmental factors, technological factors and competitive factors to be the major factors affecting organisational change.
River Island is one of Britain's best known high street fashion brands and can be found in most cities across the UK. The brand also has stores in Singapore, Turkey, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Middle East.
The company was set up in 1948 by brothers David Lewis and Bernard Lewis, operating from a small shop in London trading as Lewis Separates. River Island's collections are designed by a team of in-house designers.
The history of River Island spans 55 years. As the business increased shops were added under the name of “Lewis Separates” and the focus became ladies clothing. By 1968 there were some 70 stores in the UK and “Lewis Separates” introduced into a few of its stores a brand new concept and name. Innovative in design and format these stores used strong colours, bold fashion imagery and pop music to create “Chelsea Girl,” the first UK chain of fashion boutiques.
With continuing expansion, menswear was introduced in 1983 under the “Concept Man” brand and from 1988 further evolution took the form of the development ofa new brand concept of a themed store offering fashion for men and women. The new brand was called “River Island” and today the product range includes men's and women's clothing and footwear, accessories and cosmetics. A dedicated in-house design and sourcing team creates fashionable, stylish and quality clothing representing ...