Examining user resistance and management strategies in enterprise system implementations

Abstract

This paper is an initial investigation of the management strategies best suited to address user resistance. Despite its relationship to adoption, little is known about user resistance. User resistance is investigated in the enterprise systems (ES) environment because the complexity and richness of ES leads users to manifest the full range of resistant behaviors and beliefs. The Q-methodology revealed eight naturally-existing types of ES resistance and the management strategies preferred by each respective group. The results have implications for both research in the field of user resistance and adoption, and practitioners involved in system implementation.