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Journals / Alınteri Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2

Determinants of Resistance to Organizational Change: The Predictive Role of Upward Communication, Communication Climate, and Communication Channel Quality

Örgütsel Değişime Direncin Belirleyicileri: Üst İletişim, İletişim İklimi ve İletişim Aracı Kalitesinin Yordayıcı Rolü

Mücteba Terzi(Atatürk Üniversitesi)0000-0001-8801-093X
Sait Sinan Atilgan(ATATÜRK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-6173-0248
Pages
111–126
Publication Date
2026-06-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that participants reported a low level of resistance to change, while perceptions of upward communication and communication climate were moderate and perceptions of communication channel quality were high.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the level of academic staff’s resistance to organizational change during Atatürk University’s New Generation University Design and Transformation process and investigates whether three dimensions of organizational communication—upward communication, communication climate, and the quality of communication channels—are associated with resistance to change.
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Key Findings & Data:The findings indicate that participants reported a low level of resistance to change, while perceptions of upward communication and communication climate were moderate and perceptions of communication channel quality were high.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, the results suggest that strengthening upward communication and improving the effectiveness and quality of communication channels may help mitigate resistance reactions in large-scale organizational transformation initiatives in higher education institutions.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Örgütsel Değişime Direnç · Üst İletişim · İletişim İklimi

Abstract

This study examines the level of academic staff’s resistance to organizational change during Atatürk University’s New Generation University Design and Transformation process and investigates whether three dimensions of organizational communication—upward communication, communication climate, and the quality of communication channels—are associated with resistance to change. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected via a structured questionnaire. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson product–moment correlations, and hierarchical multiple linear regression. The findings indicate that participants reported a low level of resistance to change, while perceptions of upward communication and communication climate were moderate and perceptions of communication channel quality were high. Correlation results showed significant negative associations between all communication dimensions and the three resistance dimensions (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses). Regression analyses further revealed that upward communication significantly and negatively predicted all three resistance dimensions, whereas communication channel quality provided an additional negative predictive contribution specifically to cognitive responses. Overall, the results suggest that strengthening upward communication and improving the effectiveness and quality of communication channels may help mitigate resistance reactions in large-scale organizational transformation initiatives in higher education institutions.

Özet

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Atatürk Üniversitesi’nin Yeni Nesil Üniversite Tasarım ve Dönüşüm sürecinde akademik personelin örgütsel değişime direncinin düzeyini belirlemek ve örgütsel iletişimin üç boyutu (üst iletişim, iletişim iklimi ve iletişim araçlarının kalitesi) ile değişime direnç arasındaki ilişkileri incelemektir. Nicel araştırma deseninde yürütülen çalışmada veriler anket yöntemiyle toplanmış; analizlerde betimsel istatistikler, Pearson momentler çarpımı korelasyon analizi ve hiyerarşik çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, akademik personelin değişime direnç düzeyinin düşük olduğunu; üst iletişim ve iletişim ikliminin orta düzeyde, iletişim araçlarının kalitesinin ise yüksek düzeyde algılandığını göstermiştir. Korelasyon analizi sonuçlarına göre üst iletişim, iletişim iklimi ve iletişim araçlarının kalitesi ile direnç boyutları (bilişsel, duygusal ve davranışsal tepki) arasında negatif yönlü ve anlamlı ilişkiler vardır. Regresyon analizlerinde üst iletişim değişkeninin üç direnç boyutunu da anlamlı ve negatif yönde yordadığı; iletişim araçlarının kalitesinin ise bilişsel tepki üzerinde ek ve negatif bir yordayıcı etkisinin bulunduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuçlar, dönüşüm süreçlerinde üst iletişimin güçlendirilmesi ve iletişim araç/kanal kalitesinin artırılmasının değişime direnç tepkilerini azaltabileceğine işaret etmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Terzi, M., Atilgan, S. S. (2026). Determinants of Resistance to Organizational Change: The Predictive Role of Upward Communication, Communication Climate, and Communication Channel Quality. Alınteri Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2, 111–126. https://doi.org/10.30913/alinterisosbil.1869577

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