Introduction: Why Does Change Fail, and What Can We Do About It?

Abstract

First paragraph: In an era when politicians can only get elected by promising change, it seems strange, as the above quote shows, that there was time when their inclination was to resist, rather than promote, change. However, the above quotation, though over 100 years old, neatly sums up many people's attitude to organizational change: ‘we don't like it; it'll just make things worse'. Yet, even though many people are doubtful that change will be for the better, we live in an era where change is seen as essential if organizations and, indeed, the human race are to survive (Dunphy et al., 2007; Kanter, 2008; Sackmann et al., 2009). Such is the importance now given to change that it is seen as the prime responsibility of those who lead organizations, as the rise of the transformational leader shows (Burns, 1978; Bass, 1995; Yukl, 2010).