EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL TRUST AND ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH ON RESISTANCE TO CHANGE: MEDIATING EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT IN GOVERNMENT SECTOR IN DIVISIONAL SECRETATIATS OF PADDIRUPPU ZONE

Abstract

Organizational change is a constant in today's dynamic and evolving work environments. particularly within government sectors tasked with delivering public services efficiently and effectively. Understanding the factors that influence employees' responses to change is crucial fbr successful change management initiatives. This study investigates the effect of organizational trust and organizational health on resistance to change, with the mediating efTect of organizational commitment, within the government sector in Divisional Secretariats of paddiruppu Zone. The research adopts a mono-method approach, conducting quantitative surveys to capture a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. A sample of 210 employees from various departments within Divisional Secretariats of Paddiruppu Zone is selected for data collection. The survey assesses participants' perceptions of organizational trust, organizatronal health, organizational commitment, and resistance to change using validated measurement tools adapted to the government sector context. Preliminary findings reveal a significant relationship between organizational trust and resistance to change, indicating that higher levels of trust are associated with lower resistance to change among government sector employees. Simiiarly, a negative association is observed between organizational health and resistance to change, suggesting that healthier organizational envirorurients are conducive to lower levels of resistance. Further analysis demonstrates that organizational commitment mediates the relationship between organizational trust, organizational health, and resistance to change, highlighting its crucial role in shaping employees' responses to organizational change initiatives. The study contributes to both theoretical and practical domains by advancing our understanding of the complex interplay between organtzational trust, organizational health, organizational commitment, and resistance to change within govemment sector organizations. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, organizational leaders. and change agents seeking to develop evidencebased strategies for effectively managing organizational change in Divisional Secretariats of Paddirr-rppuZone and similar contexts. Keywords: Organizational trust, Organizational heulth, Organizational commitment, Resistance to change, Government sector, Divisional Secretarists, Pacltliruppu Zone