The pandemic has challenged countries to develop stringent measures to reduce infections and keep the population healthy. However, the greatest challenge is understanding the process of adopting self-care measures by individuals in different countries. In this research, we sought to understand the behavior of individuals who take self-protective action. We selected the risk homeostasis approach to identify relevant variables associated with the risk of contagion and the Protective Action Decision Model to understand protective decision-making in the pandemic. Subsequently, we conducted an exploratory survey to identify whether the same factors, as indicated in the literature, impact Chile’s adoption of prevention measures. The variables gender, age, and trust in authority behave similarly to those found in the literature. However, socioeconomic level, education, and media do not impact the protection behaviors adopted to avoid contagion. Furthermore, the application of the Protective Action Decision Model is adequate to understand the protective measures in the case of a pandemic. Finally, women have a higher risk perception and adopt more protective measures, and in contrast, young people between 18 and 30 years of age are the least concerned about COVID-19 infection.

Este trabajo propone una metodología para implementar la primera fase del modelo de gestión del cambio organizacional de Lewin, denominada descongelamiento. Inicialmente, las tipologías individuales y organizaciones presentes en la compañía son determinadas a través de una encuesta a los colaboradores. Posteriormente, se aplica el método multicriterio Elimination et Choix Traduisant la Réalité (ELECTRE) para identificar el conjunto de factores mínimos a modificar para implantar en forma exitosa un proyecto de cambio. Esta propuesta permite focalizar los esfuerzos de los gestores de cambio, haciéndolos más efectivos para desarrollar planes de acción para el descongelamiento de prejuicios. Las tipologías prioritarias determinadas para el caso de análisis son el ignorante y el desganado para la dimensión individual, y las clases estática y rutinaria para la dimensión organizacional.