Technology renewal, user resistance, user adoption: status quo bias theory revisited

What is it about?

Previous research has explored the reasons for user resistance but there are gaps in our understanding of how specifically IT savvy users who are often preferred as change agents in digital transformation projects may evaluate change related to new information system and decide to resist it or adopt it. In particular, the phenomenon of status quo bias amongst IT savvy employees and its influence on their IT adoption or resistance is under examined. This study leverages the status quo bias theory and adoption literature to conceptually replicate and enrich the theory in the context of a post implementation of human resource (HR) information systems in a European context. Data was gathered via survey and system records. The enriched user resistance model found empirical support. Behavioral intention to use the new HR tool was found to be an intermediate variable that explained user resistance and IT use. The results of the study offer both theoretical and practical implications to manage resistance and change amongst IT savvy employees.

Featured Image