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Change Management Research

Running head: CHANGE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

Change Management Research
University of Phoenix


Change Management Research
Effective Leadership – FP International
FP International is a privately held company with 550 employees worldwide and over $100 million in annual sales in 2005. FP International manufactures packing products such as bubble, air cushions, Kraft paper cushioning and ready-to-use products, polyethylene foam, loose fill made of 100% recycled polystyrene or cornstarch and Kraft/bubble mailers (About FP International, 2007). Arthur Graham is the founder and president of FP. Graham started the company in 1967; it was called Free-Flow Packaging International at the time, which later was changed to FP international. Graham gained his expertise by heading up a company called Safe-T Pacific Company in the 50's, Safe-T pacific was the leading maker or paper straws.
Already holding a patent for hollow paper tube packaging, the company looked at making its product from lightweight plastic. In 1968, the company developed a unique, new extrusion process to produce its free-flowing cushioning material from expanded polystyrene. The hollow polystyrene tube was crimped in the center to make a figure-eight-shape. This distinctive figure-eight-shape both identified FLO-PAK loose fill and created greater product protection by interlocking with other eight-shapes in a carton during shipment. (About FP International, 2007). Graham is still the president of FP International, at the age of 87. Graham has very hands on approach to the company and is an effective leader. He is still involved in all the operations in the company and goes into work every day.
FP International has taken on organizational changes and performed well before during and after the changes. "A successful organizational change is highly dependent on effective leadership throughout the organization. Senior executives cannot create change on their own. According to...