Final answer:
The final stage in Kurt Lewin's three-stage process model for change is the refreezing stage. This stage is critical in making the changes permanent and integrated into the organization's culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The final stage in Kurt Lewin’s three-stage process model for change is the refreezing stage. Lewin's model consists of three main stages: unfreezing, which involves preparing the organization to accept that change is necessary; change (or transition), where the actual transformation occurs; and refreezing, where the new behaviors are solidified into the organization's culture.
The refreezing stage is crucial to ensure that the changes made are permanent and become the new status quo within the organization.
The refreezing stage is comparable to the institutionalization stage in the lifecycle of social movements as outlined by Blumer (1969) and Tilly (1978), which marks the point where the movement becomes an established entity. Similarly, in organizational change, refreezing ensures that new behaviors and processes are integrated into the company's operations, ensuring they persist over time.