resistance to change. Each of the three underlying reasons for resistance to organizational change insecurity, economic, and socio psychological factors will likely be found in all resistance to change; however, the relative strengths of these three underlying reasons will likely vary according to both the situation and to the individuals involved. 3
Superior Subordinate Relationships
One major problem area within organizations is the need for some individuals to exercise authority over others
superior/subordinate relationships. One means of avoiding con flict in superior/subordinate relations is an assessment of the needs and desires of organizational subordinates. In this way, the superior will be in a position to either fulfill subordi nate expectations or to explain to subordinates ahead of time why such fulfillment will not occur. Such action on the part of organizational superiors is essential, if dysfunctional organizational conflict is to be maintained at a minimum level.
One major contributing factor in the development of organ izational conflict is that of ineffective communications between superiors and subordinates within the organization. A situation which occurs all too often in organizations is that where a subordinate feels either that no one is listening or that organizational supervisors are uninterested in what is being said by subordinates. A related situation which is also frequently found in organizations is that where subordinates feel that the organization has provided no one for them to speak to or to provide answers to their questions. In this same vein, supervisors can, and often do, assume that subordi nates are not really listening to what they the supervisors say, without consciously realizing that an exchange of informa tion is required in ...