Change Resistance Management And The Transition To Distance Learning During COVID-19: Moderating Role Of Education Technology

Abstract

Purpose: Current study aimed at examining the moderating role of education technology on the relationship between change resistance management (Efficient Managing, Participation, Communication, Organizational Culture, and Managerial Practices) and the transition to distance learning. Theoretical Framework: It's important to remember that resistance is a natural reaction caused by Fear of the unknown and uncertainty about the goals of change and, in some cases, a lack of sufficient information about reform, and that it shouldn't be viewed as a bad thing in and of itself. Design/Methodology/Approach: Quantitative methodology was adopted, and a questionnaire was distributed on a convenience sample of (391) lecturers of different tanks within private universities in Jordan. SPSS was employed in order to screen, process and analyze gathered primary data. Findings: Results of study indicated that education technology moderated the relationship between change resistance management and the transition to distance learning that was attributed to managerial practices as the highest influential approach with B= .585 while organizational culture scored an influence but it was the lowest with B= 0.82. Research , Practical & Social implications: As for the main hypothesis of study, results indicated that education technology manifested the transition to distance learning through the approach which helped in managing the transition through educational technology, as it constituted a comprehensive reference guides for education and provided basic information and framework for distance education that included many channels such as television, digital technology, online platforms and mobile phone. Originality/ Value: The current study showed that most of the resistance during the transitional period of distance education due to the COVID 19 pandemic was due to a lack of knowledge, information, skills, and technological capabilities, as most of the resistance appeared after identifying the platforms they dealt with, the existing infrastructure, and weaknesses. How well university IT departments can handle the massive demand caused by this rapid and unanticipated transformation.