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Understanding and managing cynicism about organizational change
Abstract
Executive Overview Change is all about us, but many of its targets remain cynical about its impact and importance. Cynicism about organizational change often combines pessimism about the likelihood of successful change with blame of those responsible for change as incompetent, lazy, or both. Data from a new empirical study, and from previously published research, suggest numerous factors that contribute to the development of such cynicism. These include a history of change programs that are not consistently successful, a lack of adequate information about change, and a predisposition to cynicism. Results also suggest that cynicism about changes has negative consequences for the commitment, satisfaction and motivation of employees.
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“Some of the most focal negative reactions to organizational change are change fatigue and cynicism towards change.”
From Creating a workforce of fatigued cynics? A randomized controlled trial of implementing an algorithmic decision-making support tool (2024) · cites this paper as Reichers, Wanous, & Austin, 1997
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“This means that past failures in processes of change can lead to a lack of trust in the change agents [7].”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Reichers, A. E., Wanous, J. P., & Austin, J. T.
- Venue
- Academy of Management Perspectives
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 1997-02
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 48-59
- ISSN
- 1558-9080 (ISSN-L)
- 1943-4529
- OpenAlex
- W2118683451
- Cited by
- 722
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 36 · 2012: 30
- FWCI
- 15.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Perspectives (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 › Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Organizational Management and Change
- Keywords
- cynicism, organizational change, change management, employee commitment, job satisfaction, employee motivation, change failure
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