A Test of the Technology Acceptance Model for Understanding the ICT Adoption Behavior of Rural Young Entrepreneurs

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) open up new opportunities for rural young entrepreneurs to enhance their businesses. However, the challenges of adopting and using ICTs obstruct these businesses from growing into drivers for rural-economic development and job creation. The purpose of this paper is to seek to validate the technology acceptance model (TAM), which measures the volitional aspect of the ICT adoption behavior of young entrepreneurs in a rural community. In order to test the model, data are collected using self-administered questionnaires from 400 rural youth entrepreneurs. The structural equation modeling technique (SEM) was applied to assess the model. The results confirmed that TAM is robust enough to gauge the dimensions of young entrepreneurs' adoption of ICT by way of the model accounting for 55 percent of the variance in intention to use ICT. They also indicated that attitude toward entrepreneurship partially mediated the relationship between ICT's usefulness and entrepreneurial intention. This paper will serve to illuminate this model and reveal new knowledge perspectives. Policy makers could encourage rural youth entrepreneurs to use ICT in their businesses, which will in turn inspire other entrepreneurs to look up to these adopters and follow them, thus increasing the use of ICT in rural communities.

Effect of ICT on Women Entrepreneur Business Performance: Case of Malaysia

“…For instance, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) must be closely adhered to manage and align their business operating efficiently. The finding is in line with previous research that proper use of ICT will ensure the business success (Kurnia et al, 2015;Turban et al, 2008;Chen, 2013;Ong et al,2020;Zaremohzzabieh et al, 2015). ICT may provide a wide range of opportunities for women entrepreneurs' business development and act as a driving force to boost their business venture internationally.…”

“…electronic commerce (Kurnia et al, 2015;Turban et al, 2008) that involves buying and selling process. Few studies show a positive effect of ICT on business performance while few shown its negativity (Zaremohzzabieh et al, 2015). ICT is on fame worldwide today that includes broadband, mobile and Internet, providing women entrepreneurs with the opportunity to do their business from anywhere and anytime.…”

Electronic Information Resources (EIR) Adoption in Private University Libraries: The Moderating Effect of Productivity and Relative Advantage on Perceived Usefulness

“…This finding endorses that of Ahmed and Panda (2013) who show that 100% of the respondents in their study agreed and felt that electronic resources are useful to their work. Zaremohzzabieh et al (2015) reaffirm that several studies (e.g., Davis & Venkatesh, 2004;Kim, Mannino, & Nieschwietz, 2009;Loo, Yeow, & Chong, 2009;Sentosa & Mat, 2012;Teo & Noyes, 2011;Wang & Wang, 2010) reveal that PU effectively justified the intention to use an IT system. In an earlier similar study, Teo and Schaik (2009) admit that PU variables explain about 69% of the variance in attitude towards computer use among pre-service teachers.…”

Perceptions and Challenges to ICT Use in ESL Lessons among Malaysian Primary Teacher

“…The aspects comprise positive perceptions that refer to factors that lead to their use and negative perceptions that refer to elements that discourage their usage (Silviyanti & Yusuf, 2015). The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used in several previous studies on technology adoption aimed at person's acceptance of technology (Alshare et al, 2009;Baker-Eveleth et al, 2006;Davis et al, 1989;Davis & Wong, 2007;Emad et al, 2016;Goeke & Faley, 2007;Ha & Stoel, 2009;Kim & Bonk, 2006;Lin, 2008;Lin & Chou, 2009;Zaremohzzabieh et al, 2015). The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) suggested that persons' states of mind towards another technology depend on the two key elements: Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEoU).…”