Abstract
This dissertation in practice research was designed to investigate and understand the factors that influence unionized healthcare workers when deciding whether to support organizational change initiatives. As such, the researcher aims to provide healthcare leaders with a description of the factors desired by employees, which enhances the likelihood of employees deciding to support the initiative. The development of a clear description of these factors offers practical guidance in the preparation and execution of organizational change by describing the conditions needed to be in place to potentially reduce resistant behaviors and increase supportive behaviors. The results of this study developed four significant themes: Clarity of Outcomes, Improved Communication, Trust and Positive History with Change. These are influential factors related to leadership ability to manage change and individual employee needs. These findings are then used to develop recommendations that could enhance the potential success of organizational change within the healthcare system through an increased ability to design organizational change programs that take into consideration factors that are important to employees.|Keywords: Change, healthcare, leadership, influence, decision making