A status quo bias perspective on user resistance in building information modeling adoption – Towards a taxonomy

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is currently undergoing a rapid IT-based change due to digital transformation – a change that presents both new opportunities and new challenges. Technologies and methodologies such as building information modeling (BIM) are intended to assist with this transformation and to simplify work processes. However, the use of BIM is fraught with barriers and reservations. We thus investigated the resistance that many users have to using BIM, thereby building on the status quo bias (SQB) perspective and the technology acceptance literature from research on information systems (IS). We furthermore developed a taxonomy that identifies the SQB in BIM adoption. To that end, we ran a quantitative study (n = 155) in the architectural domain, whose results indicate the presence both of different biases and of a strong resistance to BIM. Based on our taxonomy, we discuss valuable directions for future scientific work and provide initial recommendations for the AEC industry. •Provides insights on technology resistance of workers in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.•Provides insights that are based on established acceptance theories for the AEC industry to better implement new systems.•Develops a taxonomy that identifies status quo biases to user resistance.•Promotes a forward-looking discourse on technology use in the architects,engineers, and construction industry.