An analysis of the Saudi health-care system’s readiness to change in the context of the Saudi National Health-care Plan in Vision 2030

Abstract

Change management studies have emphasized the significance of an organization’s readiness for change and transformation and have recommended strategies to affect change. Organizational readiness for change is a multi-faceted, multi-level, and multi-dimensional activity; its most important aspect is organizational members’ willingness to accept and implement change because ignoring the human factors may result in resistance and failure. Through its National Transformation Program 2020, the Saudi Arabian government is attempting to effect radical changes in the structure and function of its health-care system to achieve quality care and effective service delivery. The aim of the present review is to discuss the Saudi health-care system’s readiness to change that Saudi Arabia intends to implement by 2020, based on extensive review of different reports, documents, and empirical studies in the field of organizational readiness for change. The study concludes that if organizational readiness for change is high, resources are available, and situational factors are aligned, members of organizations will take the initiative to change, exert optimal effort, demonstrate greater determination, and engage in more cooperative behavior that may lead to efficient and effective implementation of the Saudi health-care transformational plan with fewer complications and less resistance.