Factors affecting resistance to change: an empirical study

Abstract

Resistance to organizational change is seen as one of theimpediments to organizational expansion and growth due to its negativerepercussions. This study therefore sought to examine factors that havesignificant influence on resistance to organizational change. Descriptive survey design was adopted to collect data from 750 employees working at different managerial levels and branches in one of the leading banks in Sultanate of Oman. Analysis of data was done by descriptive statistics, bi-variate correlation, regression analysis and F-statistics test. Findings ofthis study reveal that employees’ openness to change, participation in change,communication to change, and trust in management had significant effects onemployee’s resistance to organizational change in Bank X. Limitations andfuture research suggestions are identified.