Title: How transformational leadership lessens employee resistance to change during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of innovative climate

Authors: Peerayuth Charoensukmongkol

Addresses: International College, National Institute of Development Administration, 148 Seri Thai Road, Klong-Chan, Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240, Thailand

Abstract: The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of transformational leadership of the department heads on resistance to change of employees in the departments by considering the mediating effect of innovative climate in a workplace. The present research focuses on the case of faculties and staffs working in three public universities in the Philippines during the time that the universities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents of this study comprise 522 faculty members and staff. Online survey was used for data collection. The data were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling. The results indicate that transformational leadership does not directly affect resistance to change of employees; however, its effect is fully mediated by innovative climate in a workplace. From these findings, this research recommends some human capital management practices that should be implemented to promote occupational wellbeing of employees during organisational change.

Keywords: transformational leadership; working environment; resistance to change; human capital; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEM.2024.142457

International Journal of Services, Economics and Management, 2024 Vol.15 No.6, pp.650 - 666

Received: 16 Feb 2022
Accepted: 17 Mar 2023
Published online: 01 Nov 2024 *

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