Unveiling the key drivers of continuity in the Indian IT domain: an integrated IRP-TISM approach

Purpose Organizational transformation and widescale upgradation of working conditions have resulted in disrupted work–life balance and employee health. In this era of drastic change interventions taking place, there is an urgent need to balance organizational changes simultaneously with forces of continuity. It is essential to consider these forces of continuity with respect to employees’ well-being. Design/methodology/approach This research employs an integrated approach, which consists of two distinct stages. In the first stage, the relevant forces of continuity are identified, validated and ranked with reference to employees’ subjective well-being. In the second stage, TISM-derived criterion weights are utilized to obtain the final ranking of these forces. Findings This paper has identified six forces of continuity operating in the information technology (IT) sector and constructed a unique IRP model. Findings advocate that preserving organizational culture and following performance standards were at the upper levels and were found to be the most significant forces influencing employees’ well-being. Practical implications The established framework for continuity forces among IT professionals offers a potential solution to the challenges encountered by organizations in mitigating the adverse change effects on the employees. This framework offers a means to boost their performance by improving organizational effectiveness through the enhancement of strategic change management. Originality/value This is one of the pioneering studies providing a breakthrough in applying the multi-criteria decision-making techniques in organizational behavior and human resource management. As per our awareness, this is the first study incorporating the IRP-TISM technique to recognize and prioritize the forces of continuity for Indian IT professionals.