IDENTIFICATION OF INTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS CAUSING RESISTANCE TO CHANGE

R. D. Wickramasuriya; P. Gamage

Authors

R. D. Wickramasuriya Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya
P. Gamage Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya

Abstract

The external environment is subjected to frequent changes. Therefore, organizations must continuously change in order to remain competitive. But often changes are obstructed by internal resistance. The objective of this study was to identify internal organizational factors causing resistance to change and to research on their nature of relationship with the level of resistance. The study involved four independent variables and one dependent variable. Data was gathered by way of a questionnaire and from discussions held with the respective management personnel. The analysis proved that there’s a strong positive relationship between negative employee attitudes and the level of resistance. Lack of employee knowledge too showed a strong positive relationship with the level of resistance. But both communication barriers and cultural barriers demonstrated a weak relationship with the level of resistance. This study has contributed in bridging the research gap in terms of change and resistance in Sri Lankan context.

Keywords: Resistance, Attitudes, Knowledge, Communication, Culture

For full paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk

Author Biographies

R. D. Wickramasuriya, Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya

Department of Human Resource Management,
Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya

P. Gamage, Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya