Some "possible" answers to think about.
Why educated management, blocks effective SMS ?
imposition of change upon them without their agreement or buy in, when they have been doing the job ok for years and you come along and tell them it must be done a different way because their way is wrong.
What they know and what they will achieve,short and long term ?
they will maintain their own self belief and worth, you are telling them to change, but not convincing them why they should change, you yourself don't know why they should change, or haven't said so here yet. why you want to change things, save money or better SMS - safer airline.
What kind of force , pushes them to block something that is proved to be effective and good?
pride and self worth in the experience they have over the new boy coming in crapping in the crypt and creeping out again.
What is behind such activities ?
Pride and self worth, feelings of worthlessness because you want them to change when they may not agree or you haven't asked them to agree, just imposed a new SMS. and as you said yourself tried to impose a new culture which you cannot do in this way.
Change in any organisation has to be handled very very carefully, get it wrong and you end up with a real mess and a disaster waiting to happen, and they will look for your neck to stick it around.
it takes real man management skills to introduce any kind of systemic radical changes and often will lead to changes in staff along the way, it could end very messy if you don't get a grip on the situation.
You basically have to convince them its their idea not yours but you may have already shot your bolt on that tactic.