Improving change management: how communication nature influences resistance to change

Abstract

Purpose

Little has been studied yet in terms of how communication nature influences change process. The purpose of this paper is to explore a case study that takes part in a broader research project, aimed to contribute in this direction.

Design/methodology/approach

Mix methodology has been applied to the findings, to characterize resistance to change and communication nature within one organization under a radical change process.

Findings

One main theoretical contribution is an instrumental grid to characterize dialogic communication nature.

Originality/value

Findings of the case study originally indicate that resistance to change reduces under dialogic communication and by revealing how communication dimensions perform in time, practitioners may enhance guidelines to effective change communication management.

Citation

Matos Marques Simoes, P. and Esposito, M. (2014), "Improving change management: how communication nature influences resistance to change", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 33 No. 4, pp. 324-341. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-05-2012-0058