Red tape and change-supportive intention: an extension of the theory of planned behavior

Abstract

Purpose

This paper builds on and extends the theory of planned behavior (TPB) by examining empirically the underlying mechanism through which red tape is associated with employee change-supportive intention (CSI). It investigates red tape as an antecedent of CSI and examines the mediation role of change-related attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control (PBC) in the relationship between red tape and CSI.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the study's hypotheses, cross-sectional data were collected from 183 employees working at a public organization in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq that was going through a major change. Regression analyses and the PROCESS macro for SPSS were used.

Findings

Consistent with our expectations, the results indicate that red tape negatively predicts CSI. Red tape also predicts change-related attitude, subjective norm and PBC, which consequently predict CSI. The results also reveal that the relationship between red tape and CSI is mediated by change-related attitude and subjective norm.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited in using cross-sectional data at a point in time and in investigating intention only, rather than actual behavior.

Originality/value

While prior work shows that red tape is a relevant factor that may affect employee responses to change in public sector, the psychological processes on which this relationship is based are still not fully explained. Therefore, this is the first study that aims to shed some light on this relationship.

Citation

Hassan, H.A., Zhang, X. and Ahmad, A.B. (2021), "Red tape and change-supportive intention: an extension of the theory of planned behavior", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 42 No. 1, pp. 99-113. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-07-2020-0286