McHugh (1997) suggested that stress should be included in the change management
agenda. She argued that people involved in the management of change need to
acknowledge the fact that increased pressure and stress are put on employees because
of continuous organizational change and that it is necessary for organizations to think
of incorporating a stress management programme within the change management
programme. Moreover, Armenakis and Bedeian (1999, p. 307) considered stress as an
obstacle to change planning and implementation and they argued that:
Receptivity, resistance, commitment, cynicism, stress, and related personal reactions are
clearly relevant criterion variables to be considered in the framework of planning and
implementing an organizational change. Change can obviously cause cynicism and stress,
thereby inhibiting success.