Organizational Behavior Principles - Assignment Example

The need for the division of work, narrow definitions of assigned duties and responsibilities, established rules, procedures and methods of work, can result in resistance to change (Dalziel, Schoonover, 1988).2. If management employs formal communication, the selective perception of employees can become the main cause of resistance to change. It can lead to a biased view of a particular situation, which fits most comfortably into a person's own perception of reality, and can cause resistance to change.3. Threats to power come from linear organization structure.

Change may be seen as a threat to the power or influence of certain groups within the organization, such as their control over decisions, resources or information. For example, managers may resist the introduction of quality circles or worker-directors because they see this as increasing the role and influence of non-managerial staff, and a threat to the power in their own positions. Where a group of people has, over a period of time, established what they perceive as their 'territorial rights' they are likely to resist change.4. Fear of changes in economic implications is typical for all types of organizations with informal communication patterns.

People are likely to resist change which is perceived as reducing either directly or indirectly their pay or other rewards, requiring an increase in work for the same level of pay or acting as a threat to their job security. People tend to have established patterns of working and a vested interest in maintaining the status quo 5. Inconvenience or possible loss of freedom comes from matrix organizations and functional organizations grouping by task (each group does something different). If the change is seen as likely to prove inconvenient, make life more difficult, reduce freedom of action or result in increased control, there will be resistance.6. In divisional organizations grouping by product and customer (each group does the same task but for different product and customer), the main cause of resistance to change is a habit.

People tend to respond to situations in an established and accustomed manner. Habits may serve as a means of comfort and security, and as a guide for easy decision making (Dalziel, Schoonover, 1988).7. Also, if there is a diverse workforce, there is a fear of redundancy and lower pay for old employees. There is a tendency for some people to find a sense of security in the past. In times of frustration or difficulty, or when faced with new or unfamiliar ideas or methods, people may reflect on the past.