4.6.7 Coercion
The application of direct threats or force on resistors is called coercion. Sometimes people may have to be forced to accept change by threatening those who resist with undesirable consequences. This strategy can be resorted to when changes have to be speedily enforced, when changes are of a temporary nature, or when the initiator of change weilds considerable power. Though speedy and effective in the short run, it may make people angry and resort to mean behaviour in the long run.
If corporate management is determined to close a manufacturing plant, if its employees do not acquiesce to a pay cut, then coercion would be the label attached to its change tactic. Other examples of coercion are threats of transfer, loss of promotion, ...
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