Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology
Confronting resistance to change: German higher education in times of rapid transformation
Engin Karadag 1 2 3 * , Rabia Yılmaz 1
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1 Akdeniz University, Türkiye
2 Özyeğin University, Türkiye
3 Khazar University, Azerbaijan
* Corresponding Author
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Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 2026 - Volume 8 Issue 3, Article No: e42608
https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202642608

Article Type: Research Article

Published Online: 25 Oct 2026

Views: 7 | Downloads: 4

ABSTRACT
This study analyzes resistance to change within the German higher education system during a time of rapid digital and fundamental transformation. Applying a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with four academic staff members who have a relationship with Johannes Gutenberg University. The findings indicate that resistance is partially driven by specific characteristics of change, such as its speed, obscurity and the perceived fear of the unknown. Furthermore, it is linked to dynamic types of change, including emergency transitions to distance education, legal reforms, excellence initiatives and demographic shifts. Eventually, these structural shifts trigger individual resistance to change, which stems from psychological effects, employment anxiety, altered habits, the generational digital gap, fear of losing socialization and a lack of control, all of which strengthen underlying beliefs in the negative aspects of change.  When examined under the aegis of chaos theory, these findings suggest that even minor systemic shifts can bring about important organizational resistance if not conducted with adaptive leadership strategies. Rather than following linear transitions, leadership should focus on directing the nonlinear intricacies ingrained in modern academic culture.
KEYWORDS
chaos theory emergency remote teaching German higher education resistance to change
In-text citation: (Karadag & Yılmaz, 2026)
Reference: Karadag, E., & Yılmaz, R. (2026). Confronting resistance to change: German higher education in times of rapid transformation. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 8(3), e42608. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202642608
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Karadag E, Yılmaz R. Confronting resistance to change: German higher education in times of rapid transformation. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026;8(3), e42608. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202642608
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Karadag E, Yılmaz R. Confronting resistance to change: German higher education in times of rapid transformation. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026;8(3):e42608. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202642608
In-text citation: (Karadag and Yılmaz, 2026)
Reference: Karadag, Engin, and Rabia Yılmaz. "Confronting resistance to change: German higher education in times of rapid transformation". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology 2026 8 no. 3 (2026): e42608. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202642608
In-text citation: (Karadag and Yılmaz, 2026)
Reference: Karadag, E., and Yılmaz, R. (2026). Confronting resistance to change: German higher education in times of rapid transformation. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 8(3), e42608. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202642608
In-text citation: (Karadag and Yılmaz, 2026)
Reference: Karadag, Engin et al. "Confronting resistance to change: German higher education in times of rapid transformation". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, vol. 8, no. 3, 2026, e42608. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202642608
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