Perceived Impact of Change as a Mediating Variable for Change Readiness in Higher Educational Governance

Neka Erlyani; Fendy Suhariadi; Rahkman Ardi

doi:10.32890/mjli2024.21.2.11

Authors

Neka Erlyani Faculty of Psychology, Airlangga University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2773-6686 (unauthenticated)
Fendy Suhariadi Faculty of Psychology, Airlangga University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9679-2185 (unauthenticated)
Rahkman Ardi Faculty of Psychology, Airlangga University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2261-2417 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2024.21.2.11

Keywords:

communication climate, higher educational governance, openness to change, organizational trust, perceived impact of change, readiness for change, non-academic staff

Abstract

Purpose – Adapting to technological advancements and fostering competitiveness poses compelling challenges for universities worldwide, including Indonesia. This prompts the implementation of varied policies, reshaping financial and managerial aspects across academic and non-academic spheres. In this transformative process, cultivating readiness for change across all organizational levels, including among non-academic staff, is crucial. This study aims to identify factors predicting readiness for change within non-academic staff, with perceived impact of change acting as a mediating factor.

Methodology – This quantitative study collected the data through surveys conducted among non-academic staff from Indonesian universities under general state financial management (n = 290). The examination focused on predictors encompassing openness to change, organizational trust, and communication climate. Path analysis was employed to examine the role of perceived impact of change among exogenous and endogenous variables.

Findings – The findings revealed a compelling correlation: nonacademic staff who exhibit higher levels of openness to change, harbor trust in their organization, and perceive a positive communication climate are predisposed to being more prepared for change. Moreover, the study underscored the significance of a mediating variable in influencing readiness for change, offering an imperative avenue for further exploration.

Significance – Practically speaking, for universities operating under general state financial management and preparing to embark on governance changes, this research would help non-academic staff understand the change process and its effects on them.

References

Adejare B. O., Olaore G. O., Udofia E. E., & Emola T. B. (2020). Inefficiency among non-academic staffs in Nigerian tertiary institutions: The role of training and development. Journal on Efficiency and Responsibility in Education and Science, 13(2), 56-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2020.130201

Akbulut, Y., Kuzu, A., Latchem, C., & Odabaşi, F. (2007). Change readiness among teaching staff at Anadolu university, Turkey. Distance Education, 28(3), 335–350. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587910701611351

Allaoui, A., & Benmoussa, R. (2020). Employees’ attitudes toward change with Lean Higher Education in Moroccan public universities. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 33(2), 253-288. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-08-2018-0232

Andriana, I., Fuadah, L. L., Wibowo, P. A., Yulianita, A., & Hidayat, R. (2020). University governance and structuration perspective in Indonesian higher education policies. In 5th Sriwijaya Economics, Accounting, and Business Conference (SEABC 2019) (pp. 388-391). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/ aebmr.k.200520.065

Armenakis, A. A., Harris, S. G., & Mossholder, K. W. (1993). Creating readiness for organizational change. Human Relations, 46(6), 681-703. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872679304600601

Attakumah, D., Ndiritu, J. K., & Njihia, M. (2022). Endogenous inputs use as a predictor of internal efficiency in postgraduate research degree programmes in Ghanaian public universities. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 3(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.37745/bjmas.2022.0045

Augustsson, H., Richter, A., Hasson, H., & Schwarz, U.T. (2017). The need for dual openness to change: A longitudinal study evaluating the impact of employees’ openness to organizational change content and process on intervention outcomes. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 53(3), 349-368. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886317691930

Benzer, J. K., Charns, M. P., Hamdan, S., & Afable, M. (2017). The role of organizational structure in readiness for change: A conceptual integration. Health Services Management Research, 30(1), 34-46. https://doi.org/10.1177/0951484816682396

Bouckenooghe, D., Devos, G., & Van den Broeck, H. (2009). Organizational change questionnaire–climate change, processes, and readiness: Development of a new instrument. Journal of Psychology, 143, 559–599. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980903218216

Chiang, C. (2010). Perceived organizational change in the hotel industry: An implication of change schema. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 29, 157-167. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2009.08.002

Choi, M. (2011). Employees’ attitudes toward organizational change: A literature review. Human Resource Management, 50(4), 479-500. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.20434

Cummings, L. L., & Bromiley, P. (1996). The organizational trust inventory (OTI): Development and validation. In R. M. Kramer & T. R. Tyler (Eds.), Trust in Organizations: Frontiers of Theory and Research (pp. 302–330). Thousand Oaks, Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452243610.n15

Devos, G., Buelens, M., & Bouckenooghe, D. (2007). Contribution of content, context, and process to understanding openness to organizational change: Two experimental simulation studies. The Journal of Social Psychology, 147(6), 607-630. https://doi.org/10.3200/SOCP.147.6.607-630

Du, X., Guerra, A., Chen, J., Lindsay, E., & Nørdgaard, B. (2023). Supporting change in Polish higher education: Academic middle leaders’ perspectives. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432231206247

Eby, L., Adams, D., Russell, J., & Gaby, S. (2000). Perceptions of organizational readiness for change: Factors related to employees’ reactions to the implementation of team-based selling. Human Relations, 53(3), 419-442. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726700533006

Erlyani, N. (2020). Faktor-faktor kesiapan berubah tenaga kependidikan PTN di Indonesia. [Factors of readiness for change university non-academic staff in Indonesia]. Unpublished manuscript.

Facchini, C., & Fia, M. (2021). Public sector reform in Italian higher education: The governance transformation of the universities—A comparison among perceptions of rectors and department chairs. Higher Education Policy, 34, 560-581. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-019-00152-2

Faulks, B., Yinghua, S., Khudaykulov, A., & Jumanov, A. (2023). Exploring organizational readiness to change and learn: A SciVal analysis from 2012 to 2021. Journal of International Business Research and Marketing, 7(4), 18-22. https://doi.org/10.18775/ jibrm.1849-8558.2015.74.3002

Gebretsadik, D. M. (2022). An exploration of change leadership at public higher education institutions in Ethiopia. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 25(5), 823-842. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221091256

Gelaidan, H. M., Al-Swidi, A., & Mabkhot, H. A. (2018). Employee readiness for change in public higher education institutions: Examining the joint effect of leadership behavior and emotional intelligence. International Journal of Public Administration, 41(2), 150-158. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900 692.2016.1255962

Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning, EMEA.

Hassenforder, E., Smajgl, A., & Ward, J. (2015). Towards understanding participatory processes: Framework, application and results. Journal of Environmental Management, 157, 84-95.

Herold, D. M., Fedor, D. B., & Caldwell, S. D. (2007). Beyond change management: A multilevel investigation of contextual and personal influences on employees’ commitment to change. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(4), 942–951. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.92.4.942

Holt, D. T., Armenakis, A. A., Feild, H. S., & Harris, S. G. (2007). Readiness for organizational change:The systematic development of a scale. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 43(2), 232-255. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886306295295

Jones, R. A., Jimmieson, N. L., & Griffiths, A. (2005). The impact of organizational culture and reshaping capabilities on change implementation success: The mediating role of readiness for change. Journal of Management Studies, 42(2), 361-386. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2005.00500.x

Karlsson, S., & Ryttberg, M. (2016). Those who walk the talk: The role of administrative professionals in transforming universities into strategic actors. Nordic Journal of Studies in Educational Policy, 2016(2-3), 31537. https://doi.org/10.3402/ nstep.v2.31537

Kasradze, T., Antia, V., & Gulua, E. (2019). Challenges of financial management of the higher education institutions in Georgia. European Journal of Economics and Business Studies, 5(1), 187-206. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejes.v5i1.p187-206

Liu, J. (2021). Linking psychological capital and behavioral support for change: The roles of openness to change and climate for innovation. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 612149. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.612149

Mayer, R. C., & Davis, J. H. (1999). The effect of the performance appraisal system on trust for management: A field quasi-experiment. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 123-136. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.84.1.123

McEvily, B., & Tortoriello, M. (2011). Measuring trust in organizational research: Review and recommendations. Journal of Trust Research, 1(1), 23-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21515581.20 11.552424

Men, L. R., Yue, C. A., & Liu, Y. (2020). “Vision, passion, and care:” The impact of charismatic executive leadership communication on employee trust and support for organizational change. Public Relations Review, 46(3), 101927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. pubrev.2020.101927

Menon, S., & Suresh, M. (2021). Factors influencing organizational agility in higher education. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 28(1), 307-332. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-04-2020-0151

Miller, V. D., Johnson, J. R., & Grau, J. (1994). Antecedents to willingness to participate in a planned organizational change. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 22, 59-80. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909889409365387

Neill, M. S., Men, L. R., & Yue, C. A. (2019). How communication climate and organizational identification impact change. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 25(2), 281-298. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-06-2019-0063

Ngo, J., & Meek, L. (2019). Higher education governance and reforms in Indonesia: Are the matrices of autonomy appropriate? Journal of International and Comparative Education, 8(1), 17-26. https://doi.org/10.14425/jice.2019.8.1.17

O’Neil, D. V. (2007). Predicting public managers’ readiness for contracting of professional services in a changing state government agency (Doctoral dissertation, Georgia Institute of Technology). https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/ handle/1853/16189/oneil_dara_v_200708_phd.pdf

Oreg, S. (2003). Resistance to change: Developing an individual differences measure. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(4), 680–693. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.4.680

Oreg, S., Vakola, M., & Armenakis, A. (2011). Change recipients’reactions to organizational change:Asixty-year review of quantitative studies. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 47(4), 461-524. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886310396550

Paterson, J. M., & Cary, J. (2002). Organizational justice, change anxiety, and acceptance of downsizing: Preliminary tests of an AET-based model. Motivation and Emotion, 26, 83-103. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015146225215

Purwaningrum, E. K., Suhariadi, F., & Fajrianthi. (2020). Participation and commitment to change on middle managers in Indonesia: The role of perceived organizational support as mediator. Global Business Review, 23(5) 1218-1235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972150919892371

Rafferty, A. E., Jimmieson, N. L., & Armenakis, A. A. (2013). Change readiness: A multilevel review. Journal of Management, 39(1), 110-135. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206312457417

Rees-Johnstone, E. (2020). Increasing non-academic employee engagement. A Dissertation in Practice by Doctor of Education, Department of Education, Western University. https://ir.lib. uwo.ca/oip/173

Risanty, R., & Kesuma, S. A. (2019). Good university governance: Experience from Indonesian university. Jurnal Perspektif Pembiayaan dan Pembangunan Daerah, 6(4), 515-524. https://doi.org/10.22437/ppd.v6i4.6195

Rogayan, D. V., Jr., & Corpuz, L. N. (2022). Evaluating the research productivity of a state university in Central Luzon, Philippines: Basis for policy recommendations. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 11(1), 128-135. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v11i1.22099

Rusly, F. H., Corner, J. L., & Sun, P. (2011). Positioning change readiness in knowledge management research. Journal of Knowledge Management. 16(2). 329-355. http://dx.doi. org/10.1108/13673271211218906

Ryttberg, M., & Geschwind, L. (2017). Professional support staff at higher education institutions in Sweden: Roles and success factors for the job. Tertiary Education and Management, 23(4), 334-346. https://doi.org/10.1080/13583883.2017.1322631

Seppala, T., Lipponen, J., Bardi, A., & Pirttila-Backman, A. M. (2012). Change-oriented organizational citizenship behaviour: An interactive product of openness to change values, work unit identification, and sense of power. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 85(1), 136-155. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8325.2010.02010.x

Siregar, Z., Lumbanraja, P., & Salim, S. R. A. (2016). The implementation of Indonesia’s three principles of higher education standard towards increasing competitiveness of local universities for ASEAN economic community. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 24(S), 1-12. http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/pjssh/browse/special-issue?article=JSSH-S0188-2016

Smith, I. (2005). Continuing professional development and workplace learning 11: Managing the “people” side of organizational change. Library Management, 26(3), 152-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120510580898

Streb, J. (2016). Openness, transformational leadership, and individual change readiness. A Thesis by Master of Science, Department of Human Resources Development, Towson University. https://mdsoar.org/items/3da66a61-9644-4b24-aec1-9a3a17364da8

Thakur, R. R., & Srivastava, S. (2018). From resistance to readiness: Role of mediating variables. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 31(1), 230-247. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-06-2017-0237

The ITC Guidelines for Translating Adapting Test. (2017). https://www.intestcom.org/files/guideline_test_adaptation_2ed.pdf

Tran, D. T., Pham, H. T., & Bui, V. T. T. (2020). The effect of contextual factors on resistance to change in lean transformation. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 7(11), 479-486. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2020.vol7.no11.479

Triatmoko, H., & Kurniasih, L. (2018). Financial management of government (state) universities in Indonesia. Review of Integrative Business and Economics Research, 7, 253-260. http://www.buscompress.com/uploads/3/4/9/8/34980536/ riber_7-s2_k18-096_253-260.pdf

Tuan Sulaiman, T. F., & Abdul Ghadas, Z. A. (2021). Corporate governance models for higher educational institutions: An analysis. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 29(S2), 149-168. https://doi.org/10.47836/ pjssh.29.s2.11

Vakola, M. (2014). What’s in there for me? Individual readiness to change and the perceived impact of organizational change. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 35(3), 195-209. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-05-2012-0064

Vakola, M., & Nikolaou, I. (2012). Experiencing organizational change in Greece: The framework of psychological contract. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 23(2), 385-405. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2011.561223

Wagoner, R. J. V. (2004). Influencing the perception of organizational change in community colleges. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 28, 715-727. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668920390254690

Waisy, O. H., & Wei, C. C. (2020). Transformational leadership and affective commitment to change: The roles of readiness for change and type of university. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity, and Change, 10(10). https://www.ijicc. net/images/vol10iss10/101033_Waisy_2020_E_R.pdf

Walinga, J. (2008). Toward a theory of change readiness: The roles of appraisal, focus, and perceived control. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 44(3), 315-347. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886308318967

Wanberg, C. R., & Banas, J. T. (2000). Predictors and outcomes of openness to changes in a reorganizing workplace. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(1), 132–142. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.85.1.132

Weiner, B. J. (2009). A theory of organizational readiness for change. Implementation Science, 4(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-4-67

Win, N. N., & Chotiyaputta, V. (2018). Measuring employee readiness to change: A case study of an organization in Myanmar. Panyapiwat Journal, 10(3), 110-124. https://so05.tci-thaijo. org/index.php/pimjournal/article/view/162364

Wittenstein, R. D. (2008). Factor influencing individual readiness to change in a health care environment. (Doctoral dissertation, The George Washington University). https://www.proquest. com/docview/304646121?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenvie w=true

Worrall, L., Parkes, C., & Cooper, C. L. (2004). The impact of organizational change on the perceptions of UK managers. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 13(2), 139-163. https://doi.org/10.1080/13594320444000047

Yeap, S. B., Abdullah, A. G. K., & Thien, L. M. (2020). Lecturers’ commitment to teaching entrepreneurship: Do transformational leadership, mindfulness and readiness for change matter? Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 13(1), 164-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-12-2019-0311

Zacher, H. (2014). Individual difference predictors of change in career adaptability over time. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 84(2), 188-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2014.01.001

Zhu, Y. Q. (2016). Solving knowledge sharing disparity: The role of team identification, organizational identification, and in-group bias. International Journal of Information Management: The Journal for Information Professionals, 36(6), 1174-1183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2016.08.003