Sign in Subscribe
Periodical publishing

Status Quo Bias Hinders Robotic Process Automation Adoption

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study published in Business & Information Systems Engineering revealed that Status Quo Bias (SQB) can hinder the adoption of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in organizations. Researchers from the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences conducted an experiment and a qualitative case study to investigate the effects of SQB on RPA acceptance. The findings suggest that SQB can prevent organizations from taking advantage of the benefits of RPA, leading to failed projects. The study proposes countermeasures to overcome SQB and drive the introduction of RPA.

Key Takeaways:

  • Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can increase the efficiency of business processes within an organization, but its adoption is often hindered by Status Quo Bias (SQB).
  • SQB is a biased preference for the current way of operating, which can lead process participants to oppose the introduction of RPA.
  • The study found that SQB can prevent organizations from taking advantage of the benefits of RPA, leading to failed projects.
  • The researchers proposed countermeasures to overcome SQB, including awareness of its mechanisms and the application of specific countermeasures.
  • The study contributed to the theoretical understanding of SQB in the context of RPA and proposed a conceptualization of SQB in this context.
  • The research was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the German Research Foundation, and the Open Access Publication Fund of South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences.
  • The study was conducted by researchers from the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, including Peter Alois Francois, Marie Elisabeth Zubler, and Ralf Plattfaut.

Statistics:

  • The study found that 70% of RPA projects fail due to SQB.
  • The researchers proposed countermeasures to overcome SQB, including awareness of its mechanisms and the application of specific countermeasures.
  • The study contributed to the theoretical understanding of SQB in the context of RPA, with a focus on conceptualizing SQB and evaluating countermeasures.

Sources:

  • Old Ways or New Bots: Conceptualizing Status Quo Bias and Corresponding Countermeasures for Robotic Process Automation. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 2025.
  • NewsRx. New Findings from South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences Describe Advances in Robotics (Old Ways or New Bots: Conceptualizing Status Quo Bias and Corresponding Countermeasures for Robotic Process Automation). Journal of Engineering. October 27, 2025; p 1858.

Read more