An empirical investigation of the factors contributing to spreadsheets usage and end-user computing satisfaction

The purpose of this research is to develop and test a model of the relationships between several external and various mediating variables and the end-users' satisfaction and usage of spreadsheets. The present research takes several steps toward establishing a valid motivational model of the end-users. Two fairly general, well-established theoretical models (i) 'theory of reasoned action' (TRA) of human behaviour from social psychology and (ii) 'technology acceptance model' (TAM) from management information systems were chosen as paradigms within which to formulate an extended model Several adaptations to these paradigms were introduced in order to make them applicable to the present context building upon and integrating previous research in a curnulative manner. This led to a model which was tested by a nine page questionnaire with 129 entries. Response data was collected from a cross-sectional survey of 333 university students who have been out for one year training in industry across the UK. A careful reliability and validity analysis for the measures used in the survey was conducted. Multiple regression analysis, path analysis, and LISREL modelling were used as different data analysis techniques. The analysis in part gave good support for the initial model considered but also indicated some shortcomings in the two base models

Evaluating TAM Antecedents in Saudi Arabia

Antecedents of the technology acceptance model have been the focus of research on user intentions toward, and usage of, new technology. This research has found that in developed countries, the antecedents of the technology acceptance model are valuable predictors of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. These findings can potentially translate into new methods that businesses can implement to improve employee acceptance and use of new systems. The present study investigates whether these same antecedents are significant and valid predictors of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in developing countries, specifically in Saudi Arabia. The findings indicate that the antecedents of the technology acceptance model do, in fact, apply in Saudi Arabia, and therefore also have implications for businesses in developing countries to improve the user acceptance and use of new technologies

Examining the Moderating Role of Gender in Arabian Workers’ Acceptance of Computer Technology

Even as information technology becomes globally ubiquitous, the pace of its dissemination varies across regions. For example, technology acceptance by ordinary workers in the Arabian region is generally slow, though its diffusion has recently exhibited substantial improvements. The research model proposed herein, based in the theory of planned behavior and the technology acceptance model, focuses on the effects of gender, because long-standing Saudi Arabian culture traditions and entrenched social norms define distinct gender roles. The test of the model and its associated hypotheses involves voluntary responses from 1,088 Arabian workers of fifty-six firms. The results show that the model can explain a significant portion of variance in workers’ intentions to use computer technology. Perceived usefulness seems to have the strongest impact on intention, followed by perceived behavioral control and subjective norms. In addition, gender moderates the effect of subjective norms on intentions and the influence of perceived usefulness on attitude, more prominently among male than among female workers. Overall, the findings imply relative differences in the explanatory power of prevalent theoretical models across different socio-cultural contexts and point to the important role of gender in technology acceptance. They also offer implications for research and practice

Empirical investigation of e-learning acceptance and assimilation: A structural equation model

E-learning has become progressively more vital for academia and corporate training and has potentially become one of the most significant developments and applications in Information Technologies (ITs). This study used a quantitative approach seeking a causative explanation of the decision behavior of individuals toward the acceptance and assimilation of e-learning in academic settings. A survey of 286 participants (students) was conducted to collect the research data. Our study framework was based on the third version of the Technology Acceptance Model (i.e., TAM3) and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in order to determine the factors that influence the learners’ intention to use e-learning. Results show the predicting (promoting/inhibiting) factors of e-learning technology acceptance, while also examining some related post-implementation interventions expected to contribute to the acceptance and assimilation of e-learning systems. Our results also indicate that TAM3 holds well in the Arabian culture and also outline valuable outcomes such as: managerial interventions and controls for better organizational e-learning management that can lead to greater acceptance and effective utilization. Hopefully, this study provides a roadmap to more understanding of the success factors and post-implementation interventions contributing to the acceptance and assimilation of e-learning systems in developing countries

System Characteristics, User Perceptions and Attitudes in the Prediction of Information Technology Acceptance: A Structural Equation Model

Recently, researchers in IS have begun to rely on the theories of innovation diffusion to study implementation problems. A major focus of these studies has been how potential users ’ perceptions of the information technology (IT) innovation influence its adoption. User acceptance of IT has been a primary focus in the MIS implementation research for the past decade. Why do users accept or reject information systems? How user acceptance is affected by system characteristics, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and attitude toward acceptance behavior? The present research addresses these questions. The technology acceptance model (TAM) is used as a base model to produce a causal model resembling a network of relationships among the study’s constructs. A field study of 324 users regarding an end-user system was conducted to validate measures used to operationalize model variables and to test the hypothesized network of relationships. Partial Least Squares (PLS) is a second-generation multivariate analysis technique was used to estimate the parameters of the proposed causal model. The study findings indicate that system features variable has the largest influence on IT acceptance, followed by perceived usefulness. Both constructs have significant direct effects on IT acceptance but also exhibit their indirect effects through perceptions and/or attitude towards acceptance. Ease of use and attitude towards acceptance were found to have an equivalent influence on IT acceptance. Suggestions for future research and implications of findings are discussed