Studying acceptance of online banking information system: A structural equation model

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Acceptance of information technology (IT) has remained a topic of interest for a last few decades. Several theories, specifically over the conceptualisation of the technology acceptance model (TAM) have emerged and they have been applied in different contexts to investigate new insights into the acceptance behaviour at individual and organisational levels. However, despite TAM’s maturity and validity in different contexts, very little published literature strives to extend its capability to predict individuals’ acceptance behaviour about an online banking information system (OBIS). A possible rational for this gap may be conceptualisation of the TAM under which individuals’ acceptance behaviour can only be predicted with two beliefs: perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU). The evidence in literature shows that PU and PEOU beliefs are not sufficient; hence, they may not explain individuals’ acceptance behaviour in emerging contexts, such as online banking information systems, especially in developing economies such as Pakistan. There is therefore a need for inclusion of any additional factor that can enhance prediction of acceptance of online banking information system by potential users. Extending research on the TAM, this study developed and tested a model of OBIS acceptance. The proposed model integrated key constructs from the information systems acceptance research stream into the theoretical frame of the TAM and other theories from social psychology, such as the theory of reasoned action (TRA), theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the TAM2. According to the proposed conceptual model, OBIS acceptance was determined by eight main factors, which included perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, technological self-efficacy, response time, output quality, accessibility, and terminology clarity. In this model, PU was hypothesised to be affected by PEOU, trust, technological self-efficacy (TSE), output quality (OQ) and response time (RT). In addition, PEOU was hypothesised to be determined by three external factors: TSE, accessibility and terminology clarity (TC). The model was tested on a sample of 353 Internet banking users in Pakistan. Using structural equation modelling with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software, data analysis showed considerable support for the extended hypothesised model. The result indicated that, in order of importance, PU, PEOU and trust explained 45.7 % of the variance in the acceptance behaviour. The trust and the TSE predicted 28.1 % of the variance in the PU. However, the hypothesised relationships between the PU and the PEOU, OQ and RT were found to be not significant. While in the PEOU, 21.8 % of the variance was predicted by the TSE, accessibility and TC. TSE was found to be a more influential determinant of the PEOU than the PU. The consideration of factors that have a significant influence on the acceptance of OBIS, as identified in this research, is important for the managers in the banking sector, especially in developing countries, in order to increase wider acceptance and use of these systems, which provide benefits to both the customers and the service providers.University of Sind

A framework for the analysis of determinants of social media acceptance in higher educational institute of Pakistan

Social media is being considered an important source in the perspective of academic learning in the educational sector.The scope of learning through social media encompasses broadening the information sharing through collaborative approach with the help of web-based social networking sites as the means to enhance the knowledge of coworkers, colleagues and other mates.Due to large scale penetration of social media among youngsters, it is being perceived to be one of the futuristic approaches for next generation knowledge sharing and academic learning.On one hand, learning through social media has attained an important value in developed economies but on the other hand, real benefits and future implications have not been interpreted and realized in developing economies like Pakistan.Educational institutes in Pakistan need to evaluate and understand the importance and the usage of social networking for the sake of its valued role in academia.Although research communities in the developing countries are paying attention towards the development of this sector in academia but Pakistan still has to go a long way in this regard.The aim of the study is to explore the significant factors which are affecting the delayed acceptance and usage of social media for academic learning purpose.This research proposes an integrated framework including some widely accepted technology models such as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) to determine significant factors

A conceptual framework for measuring the acceptance of pervasive learning

The technological innovation and advancements in smart phones and wireless communication have reformed learning techniques such as Pervasive Learning (P-learning), Mobile Learning (m learning) and Electronic Learning (e-learning). P learning is the new form of innovative technologies for learning that occurs at the user’s will at anywhere, anytime and with any mobile or handheld devices.Students using P-learning can overcome the obstacles such as poor facilities in the classroom, gender, cultural and religious barriers, hectic personal and professional lives by providing flexibility and more than one medium for learning.This research is intended to study the specific factors influencing students as to whether accept and use these new technologies (P-learning).This study extends the existing research on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and will develop an integrated model of P-learning acceptance.It is also expected that this research study will help provide strategies for educators in the development and implementation of courses designed to integrate technology. This study employs mixed research methods for triangulation to get the desired research results.The data for this research is collected through focus group and a cross sectional questionnaire survey

Investigating the empirical relation and importance of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and intention to use online information resources for evidence based medicine

This study explores the empirical relationship and importance of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and intention to use online information resources for Evidencebased Medicine (EBM). Although a significant literature is available that investigates the effect of various factors on intention to use digital information sources to practice EBM in developed countries. However, literature is a lacking in exploring the intention to practice EBM by physicians in developing countries like Pakistan. This is the motivation behind this study. This research is a cross sectional quantitative survey study (N=352). Based on related literature a questionnaire was developed. Selected participant sample of the survey is those physicians, who were in clinical practice and were having the knowledge of EBM. Structural equation modelling technique (SEM) with the Analysis of Moment Structures software (AMOS) is used for data analysis. The findings showed the significance and causal linkage between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and intention to use online information resources for EBM. Perceived usefulness is found as a strong predictor in acceptance and behavioral intention as compared to the perceived ease of us

A conceptual framework for the analysis of determinants of m-commerce acceptance

With the emergence of internet and World Wide Web, traditional businesses got a new opportunity to compete globally. Traditional bricks-and-mortar businesses became electronic business (e-business) with the help of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools. Smart phone technology brought a new revolution in e-business market. A new term of Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce) emerged and set a new trend in commerce and business. M-commerce usage trend in developing economies still seems to take very slow steps as compared to developed countries like USA, UK, Australia and others. The purpose of this study is to extend research on the acceptance of M-Commerce in context of developing economies. A conceptual framework of some widely used technology adoption and social psychology theories including, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), is proposed to diagnose the significant factors of MCommerce acceptance in developing economies