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The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science
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Organizational Change Recipients' Beliefs Scale

Development of an Assessment Instrument

Achilles A. Armenakis

Auburn University

Jeremy B. Bernerth

Washington, D.C

Jennifer P. Pitts

Columbus State University

H. Jack Walker

Radford University

Based on research conducted by organizational scientists dating to the 1940s, the authors identified five important precursors that determine the degree of buy-in by organizational change recipients. The authors assembled these independent precursors into a framework labeled organizational change recipients' beliefs and developed a psychometrically sound self-report questionnaire that can be used to gauge progress of organizational change efforts. The authors describe a series of four studies used to develop a 24-item assessment tool that can be administered at any stage of the change process. The information obtained can serve as (a) a barometer of the degree of buy-in among change recipients, (b) an assessment of deficiencies in specific beliefs that can adversely impact the success of an organizational change, and (c) a basis for planning and executing actions to enhance buy-in among organizational change recipients.

Key Words: change assessment • organizational change • change recipients' beliefs • planning change • evaluating change

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The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Vol. 43, No. 4, 481-505 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0021886307303654
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