Which of the following is listed as a reason agencies encounter resistance?

• A. Inertia
• B. Balance of power
• C. Group norms
• D. Communication breakdown

Answer: (A)

Inertia is the basic force behind how organizations resist change. Agencies get used to their current routines, procedures, and ways of doing things, so when new policies or reforms are introduced, there’s a natural push to stick with what’s familiar. This reluctance comes from concerns about disrupting operations, adding workload, or making mistakes during a transition, all rooted in the comfort of the existing system. That makes inertia the best explanation for why resistance occurs. Other factors like balance of power, group norms, or communication breakdown can influence friction, but they don’t capture the fundamental tendency to cling to established practices that inertia describes.