Passive resistance misuse: overt support and covert recalcitrance in IS implementation

Abstract

A major postulate in many theoretical perspectives of information technology (IT) implementation is the rational assumption that resistance to change is an observable behaviour and that it is mutually exclusive of supportive behaviour. This perspective assumes that any resistance manifesting itself in a covert manner is generally dysfunctional and is motivated more by either criminal intent or opportunities for personal gain.

The purpose of this paper is to focus attention on a form of covert resistance to the IT implementation process that is neither couched in criminal intent nor motivated by personal gain. We define passive resistance misuse (PRM) to be a recalcitrant, covert behaviour that results from both fear and stress stemming from the intrusion of the technology into the previously stable world of the user. Such behaviour takes the form of overt cooperation and acceptance of the proposed system combined with covert resistance and likely sabotage of the implementation effort. We offer two related theoretical foundations to assist in explaining the phenomenon of PRM: (1) passive-aggressive behaviour theory and (2) action science's espoused theories vs theories in use. Through these two theoretical lenses we describe PRM, provide examples of PRM behaviour as well as its proposed causes and offer a framework for inclusion of this construct into an information system (IS) design and implementation research agenda.