How resistance to change impairs innovation
Journal of Strategy and Management
ISSN: 1755-425X
Article publication date: 9 May 2023
Issue publication date: 7 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The study identifies the gap in the understanding of how employee resistance to change (RTC) could impact different stages of the process of innovation. To address this research gap, the paper introduces a new model, which theorizes three moderating effects of RTC on the different elements of absorptive capacity (ACAP).
Design/methodology/approach
This study empirically tests the proposed model, using survey data collected from healthcare organizations in the United States of America.
Findings
First, the study reveals that RTC could damage the critical “connectedness” between potential absorptive capacity (PACAP) and realized absorptive capacity (RACAP), thus limiting the organization's ability to exploit new knowledge. Second, the findings also reveal that RTC can reduce the positive effect of acquisition (ACQ) on assimilation – the function responsible for decoding the meaning and for assimilating new valuable information incoming from the market.
Research limitations/implications
Research limitations of this study are discussed further.
Practical implications
The paper presents specific practical implications for managers.
Social implications
text.
Originality/value
This paper advances past research and practice by revealing two new mechanisms. When employees resist new changes initiated in the organizations, the resistance of employees will hinder the process of innovation in the following ways. (1) At the beginning of the process, employees can oppose and reject new valuable ideas incoming from the market. (2) At the stage of the implementation, such employees can engage in behavior that will weaken the organization's ability to successfully implement new process improvements that could otherwise increase organizational effectiveness.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the editor and reviewers for providing valuable feedback that helped in the development of this manuscript.
Citation
Nowak, R.M. (2023), "How resistance to change impairs innovation", Journal of Strategy and Management, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 609-629. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-08-2022-0144
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited