Exploring Personality Traits of Behavioral Resistance to Change: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the personality traits of different types of behavioral resistance to change according to the experiences of senior managers of public organizations in Rafsanjan، in the framework of phenomenology، and within the theoretical framework of the school of personality traits and attitudinal approach to resistance to change. The data was gathered based on typical sampling up to theoretical saturation and was analyzed by using Maxqda software. The findings showed that saboteurs are، characteristically speaking، melancholic، ISTJ، with an internal locus of control، unadaptable، introverted، narcissistic، undutiful، and highly Machiavellian. Survivors are sanguine، ENFP، with an external locus of control، adaptable، and with low openness to experience. The protesters can be classified into two types: narcissistic and benevolent. Some of their personality traits are shared and others are peculiar to each. Internal locus of control، extroversion، and high self-esteem and confidence are the shared traits. However، narcissistic protestors are specifically choleric and benevolent protestors are sanguine، adaptable and dutiful. Also alienated characters are phlegmatic، adaptable، routine seekers، narrow-minded، and not risk takers، and have low openness to experience، with high cognitive rigidity، and high emotional reaction to change.