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Reframing resistance to organizational change

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  • Thomas, Robyn
  • Hardy, Cynthia

Abstract

We examine the literature on resistance to organizational change and identify two dominant yet contrasting approaches: the demonizing versus the celebrating of resistance to change. We show that both of these approaches fail to address power relations adequately and, in so doing, raise practical, ethical and theoretical problems in understanding and managing change. We propose an alternative, more critical approach, which shows how both power and resistance constitute organizational change. We highlight how power-resistance relations lie at the heart of organizational change.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas, Robyn & Hardy, Cynthia, 2011. "Reframing resistance to organizational change," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 322-331, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:27:y:2011:i:3:p:322-331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Plotnikof, Mie & Pedersen, Anne Reff, 2019. "Exploring resistance in collaborative forms of governance: Meaning negotiations and counter-narratives in a case from the Danish education sector," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(4).
    2. Gabriele Jacobs & Anne Keegan, 2018. "Ethical Considerations and Change Recipients’ Reactions: ‘It’s Not All About Me’," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 152(1), pages 73-90, September.
    3. Daniela Bradutanu, 2015. "A Reducing Resistance to Change Model," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 11(5), pages 114-120, October.
    4. Sørensen, Ole H. & Hasle, Peter & Pejtersen, Jan H., 2011. "Trust relations in management of change," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 405-417.
    5. Christiansen, Ulrik & Kjærgaard, Annemette & Hartmann, Rasmus Koss, 2012. "Working in the shadows: Understanding ERP usage as complex responsive processes of conversations in the daily practices of a Special Operations Force," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 173-184.
    6. Rafael Alcadipani & John Hassard & Gazi Islam, 2018. "“ I Shot the Sheriff ”: Irony, Sarcasm and the Changing Nature of Workplace Resistance," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) halshs-01959081, HAL.
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    8. Omanović, Vedran, 2013. "Opening and closing the door to diversity: A dialectical analysis of the social production of diversity," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 87-103.
    9. Margaret Hodgins, 2021. "Taking on the Institution: An Autoethnographic Account," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-17, April.
    10. Sunghee Park & Neil Lunt, 2018. "Productive Resistance within the Korean Public Sector: Exploring Organisational Culture," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 279-297, September.
    11. Daniela Bradutanu, 2012. "Identifying the Reducing Resistance to Change Phase in an Organizational Change Model," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 2(2), pages 18-26, April.
    12. Nancy Beauregard & Louise Lemyre & Jacques Barrette, 2015. "The Domains of Organizational Learning Practices: An Agency-Structure Perspective," Societies, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-21, October.
    13. Lansu, M. & Bleijenbergh, I. & Benschop, Y., 2020. "Just talking? Middle managers negotiating problem ownership in gender equality interventions," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(2).
    14. Endrejat, Paul C. & Klonek, Florian E. & Müller-Frommeyer, Lena C. & Kauffeld, Simone, 2021. "Turning change resistance into readiness: How change agents’ communication shapes recipient reactions," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 595-604.
    15. Rafael Alcadipani & John Hassard & Gazi Islam, 2018. "“ I Shot the Sheriff ”: Irony, Sarcasm and the Changing Nature of Workplace Resistance," Post-Print halshs-01959081, HAL.
    16. Vos, Janita F.J. & Rupert, Joyce, 2018. "Change agent's contribution to recipients' resistance to change: A two-sided story," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 453-462.
    17. Cynthia Hardy & Robyn Thomas, 2014. "Strategy, Discourse and Practice: The Intensification of Power," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 320-348, March.

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