Regulations and employees’ commitment to change: Does emotional intelligence matter?

Abstract

This paper examined literature on emotional intelligence, commitment to change and the role of regulations in change management. Empirical and theoretical literature were analysed, together with secondary data from the Ghana Revenue Authority. Commitment levels of employees is a key determinant of the success of any change action. However, to achieve this success, those leading the change effort together with those affected by the change must all exhibit high levels of emotional intelligence. Drawing on institutional theory, the study found that regulations serve as both catalyst and vanguard of any change program. The study contributes to the basket of literature examining the link between institutional regulations and commitment to change, and the role of emotional intelligence in such link. Regulations play a very significant role in any change effort.