Managing Resistance to Organizational Change

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In the course of considering and implementing change, the need frequently arises for effective application of the approaches and tools for managing resistance to change (Palmer, Dunford, & Akin, 2009). Change often fails from ineffective management of the internal and external forces of resistance opposing change (Kotter & Schlesinger, 2008; Oreg, 2003; Palmer et al., 2009). In response, this paper discusses the approaches (tools) deemed most essential for managing resistance to change relative to the scope of the situational contexts in which they might be applied. The discussion centers on considerations for the multidimensional conceptualizations of resistance that are often ignored in evaluating alternatives for taking action. Multidimensional Conceptualizations of Resistance Strategies for reducing the negative effects of resistance to change most often fail from an incomplete understanding of the multidimensional nature and scope of resistance (Kotter & Schlesinger, 2008). A more complete understanding of these multidimensional characteristics evolves from considering the meaning of the term. Davidson defines resistance as “. . . anything that workers do which managers do not want them to do, and that workers do not do that managers wish them to do” (Piderit, 2000, p. 785). Thus, in a fundamental sense, the task of resolving problems of resistance to change essentially crystallizes into one of controlling or motivating the dispositional behaviors of employees to facilitate successful outcomes (Gagné & Deci, 2005; Kotter & Schlesinger, 2008). Similarly, Palmer et al., (2009) conceptually define the task of change leadership as one of controlling or shaping behaviors in response to change. However, the dispositional r... ... middle of paper ... ...ew York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Piderit, S. (2000). Rethinking resistance and recognizing ambivalence: A multidimensional view of attitudes toward an organizational change. Academy of Management Review, 25(4), 783-794. Retrieved from Business Source Elite database. Porter, M. (1996). What is strategy? Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from http://hbr.harvardbusiness.org/1996/11/what-is-strategy/ar/1 Schuller, R.H. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 19, 2012, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/roberthsc120883.html Spector, B. (2010). Implementing organizational change: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). Boston: Prentiss Hall. Weber, E. (1986). Systems to think with: A response to "A Vision for Decision Support Systems". Journal of Management Information Systems, 2(4), 85-97. Retrieved from Business Source Premier database.

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