Structural Modeling of Factors Influencing Employee Readiness for Organizational Change in Aviation Ground Operations

This study explores the critical factors influencing employee readiness for organizational change within the context of aviation ground operations—a sector undergoing rapid transformation due to the integration of digital technologies such as predictive maintenance and AI-driven systems. While change management has been widely studied in administrative and corporate settings, limited attention has been given to the frontline operational workforce in high-reliability industries like aviation. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 344 ground operations personnel through a structured survey instrument incorporating validated scales. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the effects of transformational leadership, internal communication satisfaction, training effectiveness, and technology readiness on employee readiness for change. The findings not only confirm the significance of these constructs but also reveal a moderation effect of technology readiness and a mediation effect of communication, highlighting the complexity of change dynamics in operational environments. The study contributes a novel perspective by extending established change management theories to a safety-critical, labor-intensive context and provides practical insights for HR professionals and change leaders in the aviation industry.