Abstract
The aim of this study is to identify, prioritize, and analyze the causal relationships among the key factors of the change management process and to provide an analytical framework for its more effective implementation in organizations. Despite the numerous models proposed in the field of change management, a comprehensive and integrated framework that systematically identifies, prioritizes, and analyzes the relationships among the key factors of the change process has not yet been fully developed. This study is applied and developmental in nature and was conducted using a mixed methods approach. In the qualitative phase, through a systematic review of 39 change management models with strong theoretical foundations and well defined structures, 21 key factors were identified across the four main stages of the change process. In the quantitative phase, the Fuzzy RANCOM method was used to determine the importance of the factors, and the Fuzzy DEMATEL method was employed to analyze the causal relationships among them. Data were collected based on the judgments of 10 experts in the field of change management who were selected through purposive sampling. The results indicate that managing resistance to change is the most important factor, exhibiting the highest total influence and influenced degree. The change leadership team was identified as the most influential factor, while the development of a clear vision and measurable objectives ranked third. Accordingly, organizations can increase the likelihood of success in their change initiatives by focusing on priority factors, particularly these three elements. The novelty of this study lies in moving beyond single model approaches and integrating a systematic review of change management models with fuzzy multi criteria decision making methods to identify, prioritize, and analyze the relationships among the key factors of the change management process.