STATE REACTANCE TO INITIAL IS ADOPTION: TOWARDS A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON USER RESISTANCE

Prior research on user resistance has proven that even the adoption of highly beneficial information system (IS) is often accompanied by strong user resistance. Much of the resistance at the time of initial adoption depends on the users’ perceptions of the IS. In this regard, perceived threats to users’ personal freedoms are especially problematic, since they can cause state reactance (in the form of anger and negative cognitions). State reactance has proven to be an important determinant of resistant behavior in other fields. However, IS literature on initial adoption decisions remains largely silent on reactance. Drawing on the psychological reactance theory (PRT), our study develops a model that links state reactance directly with user resistance to an initial adoption of an IS. In our model, we will offer an empirical approach that will provide evidence for the claim that state reactance increases user resistance. We aim to advance IS literature by integrating knowledge from reactance literature to leverage the current understanding of state reactance in user resistance literature. Furthermore, our work will offer practitioners suggestions for formulating reactance-avoiding communication