policy resistance
Definition
Policy resistance refers to the failure or unwillingness of individuals to support diversity and inclusion (D&I) policies across attitudinal and behavioral domains within organizations. Rather than a monolithic phenomenon, policy resistance manifests in distinct multidimensional profiles—including Opponents who resist both attitudinally and behaviorally, Reluctants who comply behaviorally despite attitudinal skepticism, and Ambivalents who express ambivalence in both domains—each grounded in different underlying reasoning patterns such as meritocratic beliefs, policy unawareness, or concerns about implementation. These patterns of resistance and support vary meaningfully across organizational positions and group membership, with perceived minority status relating to more critical and advocacy-oriented forms of engagement.
Sources: Bokern et al. (2026)
Related Terms
Applications
Policy Resistance and Organizational Position
Organizational position shapes distinct patterns in policy support and resistance, with role expectations influencing motivational drivers for either supporting or resisting D&I policies.
Sources: Bokern et al. (2026)
Policy Resistance and Group Membership
Social identity and group status shape the nature and expression of policy resistance, with perceived minority status associated with distinct engagement patterns and reasoning in D&I policy contexts.
Sources: Bokern et al. (2026)
