Organizational Change: A Review of Theory and Research in the 1990s
Abstract
This review selectively examines the theoretical and empirical organizational change literature over the past nine years (1990–early 1998). Four research themes or issues common to all change efforts are discussed: (a) content issues, which largely focus on the substance of contemporary organizational changes; (b) contextual issues, which principally focus on forces or conditions existing in an organization’s external and internal environments; (c) process issues, which address actions undertaken during the enactment of an intended change, and (d) criterion issues, which deal with outcomes commonly assessed in organizational change efforts. Research dealing with monitoring affective and behavioral reactions to change is also reviewed. In closing, general observations and suggestions for future research are offered and it is concluded that the organizational change literature continues to be responsive to the dynamics of contemporary workplace demands.
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Readiness, vision clarity, and participative communication are significant predictors of employee acceptance.
“As contemporary syntheses have highlighted, readiness, vision clarity, and participative communication are significant predictors of employee acceptance (Armenakis & Bedeian, 1999).”
From Digital transformation: a comparative analysis of SME digital maturity models (2025) · cites this paper as Armenakis & Bedeian, 1999
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Digital transformation: a comparative analysis of SME digital maturity models
Ondrík, P., & Jankal, R. (2025) · Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues · doi:10.9770/w7354634293 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Armenakis, A. A., & Bedeian, A. G.
- Affiliations
- Auburn University (US)
- Louisiana State University (US)
- ORCID
- Bedeian, Arthur G.
- Venue
- Journal of Management
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1999-06
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 293-315
- ISSN
- 0149-2063 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-1211
- OpenAlex
- W2085827460
- Cited by
- 1,625
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 56 · 2025: 64 · 2024: 55 · 2023: 66 · 2022: 61 · 2021: 77 · 2020: 91 · 2019: 86 · 2018: 83 · 2017: 79 · 2016: 93 · 2015: 92 · 2014: 92 · 2013: 97 · 2012: 93
- FWCI
- 12.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Management (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Organizational Change and Leadership
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Organizational Management and Change
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management and Organizational Studies
- Keywords
- organizational change, theory of change, organizational context, change processes, change outcomes, job demands
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