EMPLOYEE PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE (STUDY OF A PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITAL)

Abstract

This study examines the attitudes and perceptions of employees during any organizational change, based on their hierarchical position in the company. Based on prior research and literature review on organizational change, we predicted that higher- level employees tend to respond more favourably to change, and that their attitudes and perceptions would be different from those at lower levels in the hierarchy. This led to the following research question: Do employees' attitudes and perceptions during any organizational change differ across various hierarchical levels? The measurement method used on the same organizational sample was a structured questionnaire. A public sector hospital was visited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the employees and questionnaire responses were collected. The data was then analysed through charts and Annova data analysis technique. Results showed a partial confirmation of the hypothesis. Higher-level employees displayed a positive attitude on several indicators. In fact the lower level employee also showed positive attitude towards change with only a few deviations from the behaviour of the managerial staff. Employees tended to be more convinced that the changes employed would positively influence relations and working of the organisation and believed that the change was necessary. They had less fear of the change affecting their own position in a negative way.