Simpson, JM (2022) Understanding change in the university workplace: are metaphors of bereavement helpful? Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education, 26 (3). pp. 96-101. ISSN 1360-3108
Abstract
This article considers the difficulty of implementing change in a university workplace and discusses the popularity of ‘the Valley of Despair’ change curve as a way of predicting and managing resistance to change. The Valley of Despair is based on Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s (1970; 2005) work with the dying and bereaved, and posits that people going through change will experience a predictable series of emotions: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance (a sequence often termed ‘DABDA’). Questions are raised about both the validity of this model and its value as a lens through which to view change in the Higher Education sector. It is suggested, however, that other metaphors of bereavement may provide helpful insights to those hoping to guide university staff through change.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an author produced version of an article published in / accepted for publication in Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Change management; DABDA; mourning; loss; Covid-19 |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 14 Apr 2022 11:09 |
Last Modified: | 01 Dec 2023 01:13 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Routledge |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/13603108.2022.2056253 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:185692 |