Our findings make three contributions to the existing literature. First, our study
supports and extends recent studies indicating that experience is an important factor for
understanding reactions to change (Thornhill and Saunders, 2003; Bryant, 2006).
Previous literature has focused predominantly on explaining reactions based on
personality factors, the type of change (e.g. alliances), or characteristics of the change
process. Our findings suggest that experienced employees do not actively resist change,
but instead show loyal reactions. Hence the literature on negative reactions to change can
only provide limited insight to reactions among change-experienced employees.