Obstacles, Resistance and Impact of Change in Organizations: An Examination of the Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC)

This study examines the obstacles, resistance and impact of change in organizations. Taking the Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC) as the unit of analysis and utilizing descriptive analytic approach, we investigated the subject of discourse using a sample of 450 skilled employees. The results confirmed that ineffective change management team, poor support by the company’s management, lack of resources and planning, and lack of communication are the fundamental obstacles to change in the company. The findings further revealed that the causes of change resistance in the company revolves round employees being comfortable with the status quo, change is imposed by force, lack of clarity, several changes happen simultaneously, and the fear of the future state. Additionally, the study confirmed that change has overall negative impact on STC. This is so because change in the company leads to reduction in productivity and competitiveness, it results to confusion within the organization and it does not make the company’s operations run smoother or easier.