Answer for LDR 615 What is “disruptive change,” and how is this different from “incremental change?”  Re: Topic 3 DQ 2

The business landscape thrives on change. But not all change is created equal. We can categorize progress into two main types: disruptive and incremental. Disruptive change fundamentally alters the way things are done, creating entirely new markets and value networks. Incremental change, on the other hand, refines existing products, services, or processes.

During the pandemic, COVID-19 forced the medical field to re-evaluate how medicine was performed and care was given to protect first responders. A prime example is the rise of telemedicine. Traditionally, doctor visits required physically going to a clinic or hospital. Telemedicine, however, allows for virtual consultations via video chat or phone calls. This innovation has demonstrably altered the healthcare landscape. According to  Amenduni and colleagues, “Disruptive changes require employees to self-regulate their learning by reflecting before performing a new task” (Amenduni et al., 2022). This disruption forced established players to adapt or risk obsolescence.

The effects of disruptive change on organizations can be dramatic. Here’s how:

• Restructuring: An entire industry can be reshaped by disruption. During this time, we saw a rise in digital sharing, uploading documents, making appointments, and information sharing to electronic health records (EHRs) forcing them to re-evaluate customer service and accessible health care. Technology companies and startups are entering the healthcare space with telemedicine platforms, challenging the dominance of established healthcare institutions.
• New Skillsets: Disruption often demands new skillsets within organizations. Companies that embraced telehealth had to develop digital expertise, a skillset not necessarily required previously to maintain health records. Telemedicine fosters a more convenient and patient-centered approach to healthcare. However, it also raises questions about the quality of doctor-patient interaction in a virtual setting.
• Uncertainty and Risk: Disruption thrives on uncharted territory. Organizations navigating such change face a high degree of uncertainty and risk. Adapting to new technologies and customer needs can be a complex and expensive undertaking.

Embedded in the disruption were some incremental changes that had to be fine-tuned for the other to work efficiently and effectively. Incremental change is also major when the circumstances evaluated call for them. “If the change was incremental and minor, organizations could simply continue what they are currently doing” implies there must be a need for this type of change (Gillion, 2014, p. 291). An example of incremental change is the adoption and ongoing development of EHRs. These systems allow for better communication and coordination between healthcare providers, potentially leading to fewer medical errors and improved patient care. According to Hall, some organizations may have to “move forward in fits and starts, fending off major change in favor of incremental reforms”(Hall, 1999).

In conclusion, disruptive and incremental change represent two distinct modes of progress. While incremental change refines the existing, disruptive change revolutionizes. Organizations must be prepared to navigate both to ensure long-term success. Understanding the potential impact of disruption allows them to adapt, innovate, and potentially become the disruptors themselves.

Amenduni, F., Ryymin, E., Maetoloa, K., & Cattaneo, A.. (2022). Facing Disruptive Changes With Informal Workplace Learning Strategies: The Experience of European Companies. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.889850

Gillon, K., Aral, S., Lin, C. Y., Mithas, S., & Zozulia, M. (2014). Business analytics: radical shift or incremental change?. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 34(1), 13.

Hall, J. (1999///May/Jun). Incremental Change In The Australian Health Care System. Health Affairs, 18(3), 95-110. https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/incremental-change-australian-health-care-system/docview/2077466634/se-2