The Role of Innovation Characteristics and Perceived Voluntariness in the Acceptance of Information Technologies

Abstract

The often paradoxical relationship between investment in information technology and gains in productivity has recently been attributed to a lack of user acceptance of information technology innovations. Diverse streams of research have attempted to explain and predict user acceptance of new information technologies. A common theme underlying these various research streams is the inclusion of the perceived characteristics of an innovation as key independent variables. Furthermore, prior research has utilized different outcomes to represent user acceptance behavior. In this paper we focus on individual's perceptions about the characteristics of the target technology as explanatory and predictive variables for acceptance behavior, and present an empirical study examining the effects of these perceptions on two frequently used outcomes in the context of the innovation represented by the World Wide Web. The two outcomes examined are initial use of an innovation and intentions to continue such use in the future, that is, to routinize technology use. Two research questions motivated and guided the study. First, are the perceptions that predict initial use the same as those that predict future use intentions? Our results confirm, as hypothesized by prior research, that innovation characteristics do explain acceptance behavior. The results further reveal that the specific characteristics that are relevant for each acceptance outcome are different. The second research question asks if perceived voluntariness plays a role in technology acceptance. Results show that external pressure has an impact on adopters' acceptance behavior. Theoretical and practical implications that follow are presented.

Modelling the acceptance and use of electronic learning at the University of Zululand

“…For academic staff, the path coefficient between effort expectancy and behavioural intentions showed a weak relationship that was nonsignificant. The latter finding possibly demonstrates the theory that individuals' behavioural intentions become insignificant with increased experience or sustained usage (Agarwal andPrasad 1997: 570, Thompson, Higgins andHowell 1991: 140). The moderating effect of gender provided the first inconclusive result in the student sample, with a significant interaction found through Hayes' (2013) PROCESS analysis, and an insignificant effect observed through bootstrapping in SmartPLS.…”

Looking Forward: Toward an Understanding of the Nature and Definition of IT Acceptance

“…Although based upon the Moore and Benbasat (1991) study, which was not about acceptance per se (the paper focused on "adopters" versus "non-adopters"), researchers subsequently began to compare the TAM to PCI models (Plouffe et al 2001;Chin, et al 2002), with some researchers concluding that the diffusion of innovations theory and the TAM are linked (Gagliardi and Compeau 1995). For example, Agarwal and Prasad (1997), using the PCI model as a theoretical lens, concluded that: "The results for current usage suggest that, for this sample, the innovation characteristics of visibility, compatibility, and trialability are relevant in explaining acceptance. "…”

Lessons learned from i-mode: What makes consumers click wireless banner ads?

“…Consumer innovativeness refers to a general tendency to search, collect, and distribute novel or original experience ahead of the times (Agarwal & Prasad, 1997;Im, Bayus, & Mason, 2003). Social information needs presuppose such a risk-taking propensity, and this fosters a greater level of advertising awareness.…”