Final answer:
Change management involves balancing short-term operational needs with long-term strategic vision, correctly filled as 'Short / Long' (Option a). It also requires handling challenges like polarization and can vary in approach during times of national emergencies or war.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the most important activities of change management is selecting and prioritizing the optimal change(s) to undertake at any time, balancing short term operational needs with long term strategic vision. The correct answer is: a. Short / long.
Change management often involves addressing immediate issues that can impact day-to-day operations, which can be classified as short-term needs. Concurrently, for the sustainability and growth of the organization, long-term strategic plans must be considered. These long-term strategies tend to be more stable and not easily changed compared to short-term operational adjustments.
However, managing change is complex and can be influenced by various challenges, including polarization, where people or groups may divide between two extremes on a given issue or position. Also, during times of crisis such as national emergencies or war, the flexibility in policymaking and strategic planning can differ substantially compared to normal domestic policymaking.