Changes at Scott Mortgage
De’Sean Anderson
Strayer University
BUS 520 Leadership & Organizational Behavior
Dr. Anderson
June 12, 2010

Discuss the nature of change in the work environment of the 21st century. Between technological advances, the changing composition of the workforce, and the growing influence of the global economy, organizational structures and employees' careers are taking unprecedented and unpredictable turns. People still want to be successful in their jobs, want a sense of internal and external equity, and want personal connections with others. Organizations still need people who have the right skills and who are working toward a common set of objectives. People still resist change, even though the amount of change in their work lives has increased. New and faster technology, redefined values, and shifting customer demands are changing the way businesses operate in the twenty-first century. The delivery of goods, services, and spare parts will be done by e-commerce organizations. In the majority of developed countries, the population is aging. Human resources are being transformed from a specialized, stand-alone function to a broad, corporate competency. HR policies and program initiatives will have to be responsive to market conditions and global business structures. Organizations are becoming flatter, leaner, and more flexible in order to keep up with technological advances and to become and/or remain competitive in the global marketplace. Work tasks and processes are less likely to be fixed entities determined by management. More and more organizations are working to push responsibilities to the lowest level possible in an effort to increase commitment, task variety, organizational flexibility, and employee ownership of work outcomes. Additionally, work is more and more likely to be designed and performed by teams either