Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Explanation:

The SCARF framework identifies five key domains of social experience that influence motivation: Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness. This question asks if the action taken by the Change Manager appropriately addresses the autonomy domain.

1. Why Autonomy is Not Addressed

Autonomy refers to an individual’s sense of control over their choices and environment.

In this scenario, UniCo employees feel powerless due to the loss of leisure space without consultation. Autonomy could have been addressed by giving staff more control or input during the decision-making process, such as asking for their preferences or involving them in discussions about how the space could be used.

Arranging a social lunch does not restore autonomy, as it does not give employees more control or decision-making power.

2. Why Relatedness is Addressed

Relatedness refers to the sense of connection and belonging among individuals in a group.

By organizing a social lunch for UniCo employees and Selco staff, the Change Manager is fostering social interaction and relationship-building, which addresses the need for relatedness rather than autonomy.

This helps improve relationships between the two groups but does not resolve concerns related to autonomy.

3. Analysis of Each Option

Option A: No, because 'autonomy' is best rewarded by establishing clear change expectations.

While setting clear expectations can help alleviate uncertainty, it does not directly address autonomy. Restoring autonomy requires giving employees more input or control.

Eliminate.

Option B: No, because encouraging social interactions rewards the brain’s need for 'relatedness.'

Correct. The lunch encourages connection and collaboration, which aligns with the relatedness domain, not autonomy.

Correct Answer.

Option C: Yes, because 'autonomy' is best rewarded by listening and supporting affected staff.

While listening to concerns is important, this action does not directly give staff more autonomy. Instead, it addresses relatedness by fostering relationships through social interactions.

Eliminate.

Option D: Yes, because inviting colleagues to interact will make staff feel less powerless.

Interactions may improve social cohesion, but they do not resolve the sense of powerlessness tied to autonomy. Autonomy requires giving individuals more choice or control.

Eliminate.

4. Practical Implications

To better address autonomy, the Change Manager could have involved UniCo employees in discussions about how to accommodate Selco staff or given them options for how leisure space could be managed collaboratively.

Social lunches, while helpful, are better suited for addressing relatedness by creating bonds and reducing friction between teams.

5. Reference to SCARF Framework

Relatedness: Actions that promote connection and collaboration among team members.

Autonomy: Actions that empower individuals with choices and control over their environment or decisions.