Physicians and a hospital merger: patterns of resistance to organizational change.

Merger of medical facilities represents an organizational change that will probably become an increasingly common form of response to shifting environmental and professional considerations. A crucial role in the dynamics of such change is played by physicians, whose widespread opposition can threaten the viability of the organization. This study of a hospital merger that met with strong and continued opposition explores the sources of resistance among the physicians involved. The findings suggest that the role of professional status and power considerations and professional competence in generating opposition may be at least as significant as more pragmatic factors such as the anticipated impact of the merger on the physicians' private practice.