Ahmed AlzahraniImran MahmudRamayah ThurasamyOsama AlfarrajAyed Alwadain2025-01-082025-01-082021-05-0310.1108/BPMJ-08-2019-0350https://dspace-cris.utar.edu.my/handle/123456789/10686Purpose This study proposes a research model to identify the relevant constructs of employee resistance and symbolic adoption in pre-implementation stage of enterprise resource planning systems in manufacturing industries, drawing suitable support from the existing body of literature. The proposed model is a combination of the status quo bias theory and absorptive capacity theory to measure employee resistance that negatively lead to symbolic adoption of a user. Design/methodology/approach This research used a self-administered questionnaire to survey 221 participants from five organizations in the manufacturing industry, all working towards deploying enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Findings The results show that factors contributing to status quo bias and absorptive capacity impact end-user grumbling. Furthermore, end-user grumbling affects symbolic adoption substantially. Practical implications This study provides researchers, practitioners and ERP vendors a broader overview of employees' resistance and motivation for using newly deployed systems. Originality/value In the past two decades, both practitioners and academicians are investigating the technical and non-technical features that assist end-users to adopt the system. Information system theories center on the post-deployment stage, with rare attempts to identify users' resistance and mental willingness to accept technology in the pre-adoption phase, which is very crucial for the success of ERP.journal-article