A Study Of Change Process Factors In Determining Individual Readiness For Change: A Case Of Healthcare Reforms In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

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Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan , Dr. Humera Manzoor , Dr. Samar Abbas , Dr. Zeeshan Zaib Khattak , Dr. Muhammad Kaleem , Dr. Hafizullah

Abstract

This study intends to investigate the change process factors in relation to readiness for change during the healthcare reforms. It theorizes readiness for change as multidimensional and considers the cognitive, emotional, and intentional dimensions. This is crucial for creating a rich and holistic understanding of readiness for change. An exploratory sequential mixed method has been used to explore the change process factors and then test its connection with all the three dimensions of readiness for change. Data has been collected from four medical teaching institutes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan in which healthcare reforms had been implemented. Fifteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with the healthcare staff followed by 390 survey questionnaires. Qualitative findings reveal process factors that are not previously known in the literature. This includes transforming and threatening organizational philosophy and pervious policies, mismatch of change and existing organizational resources and practices, and fear of creating a coercive work environment. The quantitative part of the study reveals the varying impact of identified process factors on individual cognitive, emotional, and intentional readiness for change. This study contributes to our current understanding of change process considering it as contextual, and by appreciating and embracing the multidimensional aspect of readiness for change, particularly the emotional and intentional dimensions. It also introduces additional change process factors to the current literature.

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