Abstract
Purpose. The purpose was to determine sources of resistance to change between principals who use the microcomputer as a management tool and those who do not. Sources of resistance, age, tenure, and previous keyboard experience were studied. Procedure. Two hundred and nine Orange County, California, public school principals were surveyed. Twenty-two sources of resistance were studied. Findings. The major source of resistance identified by the YESNO group was: status quo; other sources were: fulfillment, ignorance, lack of resources, habit, and time. The predominant source of resistance identified by the YESYES group was ignorance; to a much lesser extent, fear of technology and lack of resources were also identified. Group YESNO members were found to be satisfied with maintaining the status quo; they did not feel the need to change current work patterns. They did not know how to use the microcomputer. Group YESYES members were found to be motivated to seek improved ways to manage existing work activities. They enjoyed trying something different and feeling the excitement that comes from change. Ninety-five percent of Group YESYES members had previous typewriter keyboard experience. Conclusions and recommendations. The conclusions are: (1) Early users of microcomputers have needs that are different from later users; (2) Early microcomputer users need added access to information and freedom to experiment; (3) Later users need an added stimulus to disturb their complacency habit and a practical training program to provide necessary knowledge; (4) Microcomputer change intervention programs need to be bifurcated in design; and (5) Non-users who have no previous keyboard experience feel the greatest amount of computer anxiety. The recommendations are to: (1) Design change intervention strategies that are tailored to the different needs of the early and late users of an innovation; (2) Institute early user change strategies; (3) Institute later user change strategies; (4) Establish a bifurcated microcomputer change intervention program design; and (5) Require computer or keyboard skills in all new administrative hiring.