The effect of change management on operational excellence moderated by commitment to change: Evidence from Malaysia

The objective of this study is to investigate the relations between soft factors in the change management (i.e. leadership, human resource & culture) and operational excellence (OPX), and employee' affective commitment to change (ACTC) as a moderating variable.Based on the literature review, the authors develop a linkage that the change management factors are likely to contribute positively to the OPX of the organization.A survey of a sample of Malaysia's manufacturing leading sector, electrical and electronics (E&E) industry was conducted between February 2013 and June 2013.More than 100 organizations responded to the questionnaire survey.Data were analyzed using multiple regressions and hierarchical regression.The theoretical framework was guided by resource-based view perspective.The analysis found significant, positive relationships between transformational leadership style, human resource practices and involvement cultural trait on achievement of OPX.The research had mixed findings, partially supports the moderating effect of ACTC on relationship between the change management and OPX.The contribution to a body of knowledge in terms of promoting better understanding of the operational excellence in Malaysian E&E industry.Practical adoption of change management may improve infrastructural decision areas of manufacturing strategy such as bench marking, best practices, quality practices and human resource policies.Therefore, it has implication on activities concerning organization and managing change