Understanding emotional responses to anticipated change: the case of introducing electronic care plans in hospitals

Abstract

This study aimed to address the range and complexity of emotions involved in the anticipation of change at work through adopting a contextual approach to understanding emotions and change. A qualitative study was conducted to explore nurses` emotional responses towards the anticipated introduction of electronic care plans. Emotional responses revolved around three issues in particular: Envisioning the change process, meeting professional standards in the future, and everyday work situation following anticipated change. None of the respondents reported only negative emotion terms, and they both experienced and expected that their emotional experiences would continuously evolve over time.

Negative experiences of organizational change from an emotions perspective

“…Most importantly, insight into emotional experiences and their perceived causes provides a more specific picture of individuals’ concerns and what they consider to be important, following the fact that emotions communicate what values, needs, and goals are at stake in a particular situation, and are adaptive because they ready individuals for action (Landman, 1996, Lazarus, 1991). Previous research has demonstrated that negative emotional states in a change context emerge as a consequence of not being able to do one’s job properly, and the extra hassle involved in maintaining already established standards for work following organizational change (Giæver, 2007; Kiefer, 2005; 2002). Hence, exploring employees’ negative emotional experiences, along with their perceived causes, may provide a better point of departure for understanding the ways in which a change situation is problematic and should be attended to.…”