Perspectives on resistance - Lecture notes

4 important questions on Perspectives on resistance - Lecture notes

What is the difference between Kotter and Ford et al (2008) 's view on resistance?

Kotter views resistance as something bad, something what you need to overcome. He argues you should co-opt the silent people and to not spend time to people who have 'strong no's' He agues that resistance is something that occurs due to shortcomings.


However, Ford et al (2008) argues resistance is not something bad per se, but rather something good. He argues resistance is a signal of engagement and a way to keep the conversation regarding change going.

What is the difference between overt and hidden resistance?

Overt resistance is about responses related to collective and organized acts of non-conformance, e.g. Strikes, sabotage etc.

Hidden resistance is about individual subjectivity and identity, e.g. Humor, distancing and cynicism.

How does the article of van Heusinkveld (2020) relate to the topic resistance?

This article relates to resistance in a way that the nurses were not against Lean management itself, but there were rather other factors - which were not related to the change itself - that causes resistance.
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When you relate the viewpoints of Kotter and Ford  to the article of Palmer & Dunford regarding resistance. How would you might view these viewpoints?

Kotter has a rather controlling perspective, top - down, change needs to be overcome.


Ford, instead, has a more shaping approach in which he coaches and talks to people to get them in a certain direction. So, both intended, but approached in a different manner.

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