Cynicism about organizational change - Measurement, antecedents, and correlates

A new construct called Cynicism About Organizational Change (CAOC) was prop osed and distinguished from related concepts. The measure of CAOC was suppo rted by confirmatory factor analysis and has acceptable internal consistenc y reliability. Potential antecedents (measured 21 months before the measure ment of CAOC were examined. Little support was found for CAOC having dispos itional roots in one's general negative affectivity. More support was found for CAOC being learned as a result of little previous change, ineffective leadership practices, and lack of participation in decisions. CAOC was nega tively correlated with a concurrent measure of organizational change and wi th the motivation to keel, on trying to support change efforts. In addition , CAOC was negatively correlated with factors outside the realm of change: organizational commitment and the number of labor grievances. Finally, CAOC weakened the instrumentality perception of the relationship between perfor ming well and earning mom money, while holding the actual pay system consta nt.