Spreading good ideas: a case study of the adoption of an innovation in the construction sector

A health and safety association collaborated with two research centres to examine the dissemination of knowledge of an ergonomic intervention by opinion leaders in the construction sector. The intervention was a hydraulic ladder lift that aided with loading and unloading of ladders off van roofs. Thirteen companies, with five to 900 employees, were involved. The van operators informed workmates not employed by their companies but who worked on the same site as them about the intervention. The opinion leaders informed decision makers within their companies which led to commitments to purchase similar units. They also gave presentations at prearranged health and safety meetings, where attendees indicated that they thought the intervention sounded like a good idea. In this way, knowledge of the innovation reached at least 32 more companies and potentially several thousand other employees. The study showed the potential for workplace change to be exponential.     

The roles of intrinsic motivators and extrinsic motivators in promoting e-learning in the workplace: A case from South Korea

Acceptance of e-learning by employees is critical to the successful implementation of e-learning in the workplace. To explain why employees might accept the e-learning technology, motivational factors must be considered. Although the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) has identified many variables to understand employees’ motivation to use e-learning, current literature cannot conclude the roles of extrinsic and intrinsic motivators in the technology adoption process. Consequently, organizations often overestimate the effects of extrinsic motivators in promoting e-learning while ignoring employees’ intrinsic motivation. To examine the effect difference between the two motivational factors, this study surveyed 261 employees in a food service company in South Korea with the UTAUT instrument. Upon analyzing 226 valid cases with LISREL, the findings revealed that intrinsic motivators (effort expectancy, attitudes, and anxiety) affected employees’ intention to use e-learning in the workplace more strongly than did the extrinsic motivators (performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions). Furthermore, the effects of intrinsic motivators mediated the effect of extrinsic motivators. Implications of this study are important for both researchers and practitioners.     

Understanding SaaS adoption from the perspective of organizational users: A tripod readiness model

As an innovation that revolutionizes application delivery based on cloud-computing, software-as-a-service (SaaS) has seen a tremendous growth during the last few years. However, its diffusion is not evenly distributed: some organizational users are open to SaaS but others are still hesitant despite the huge cost saving it may bring. The behavioral impacts of SaaS are far-reaching and the new socio-technical phenomenon deserves a close look. Based on the literature review, this study proposes a tripod model of SaaS Readiness that suggests that organizational users need to get prepared from technological, organizational and environmental aspects for the adoption of SaaS. The empirical results support that all three aspects are important for SaaS adoption yet their influences vary across psychological and overt outcome variables.     

An empirical investigation of anti-spyware software adoption: A multitheoretical perspective

We performed an empirical investigation of factors affecting an individual's decision to adopt anti-spyware software. Our results suggested that an individual's attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and denial of responsibility significantly affected anti-spyware adoption intention. Also, relative advantage and compatibility showed a significant effect on attitude, visibility, and image on subjective norm, and trialability, self-efficacy, and computing capacity on perceived behavioral control. Interestingly, moral obligation, ease of use, and perceived cost were not as significant as was originally expected.     

Gender differences in adoption of information systems: New findings from China

The paper explores regional gender differences in information systems adoption based on a sample of 496 Chinese individuals from four universities and one firm, by a lens of theory of planned behavior. It enriches the literature by explaining and examining the moderating effects of gender on the relationships between antecedents and behavioral intention of using information systems for Chinese users. Contrary to prior findings in the US-based research, Chinese women were found to be more strongly influenced by their computer attitudes whereas Chinese men were found to be more strongly affected by their subject norms. Perceived behavior control was important for both sexes without significant difference. The results were robust across prior experience, ages, educational levels, as well as academic disciplines and job occupations. Meanwhile, the paper uncovers under what conditions perceived behavior control and subject norms will be salient determinants of Chinese user acceptance of information systems. Practical implications about gender sensitivity in information systems adoption are discussed.     

Investigating the adoption of MOOCs: A technology–user–environment perspective

In spite of the potentials promised by MOOCs (massive open online courses), the adoption rate of MOOCs is still low, especially in developing countries. Research on the adoption of MOOCs in developing countries is also limited. To fill this research gap, this research aims to study the adoption of MOOCs by extending current research on innovation and technology adoption in order to promote the diffusion of MOOCs in developing countries. Here, a conceptual framework, technology–user–environment was proposed to identify influential drivers and barriers of MOOC adoption. Eight hundred and twenty‐seven individuals in a developing country, were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. Data were analysed by hierarchical regression, and the results show that for the (a) technological characteristics, perceived usefulness has the most significant influence, followed by lack of accessibility and performance‐to‐cost value; for the (b)user factors, self‐regulation was the most significant predictor of MOOC adoption, and female learners showed higher willingness to adopt MOOCs; and for the (c) social environmental factors, tradition and social norms and lack of information about MOOCs were negatively associated with adoption of MOOCs. Implications and suggestions are discussed at the end of this paper.     

A study of the institutional forces influencing the adoption intention of RFID by suppliers

We extended the application of Roger's model for evaluating the institutional forces influencing the adoption intention of RFID by retailer's suppliers. Drawing on institutional theory, we examined how different institutional forces experienced by retailer's suppliers were related to their relational investment on inter-organizational information sharing. Data collected from 130 major Taiwanese suppliers was used in our empirical analyses. We found that relational investment was the most critical adoption factor, which also indirectly enhanced organizational readiness for technological adoption intention. From a Taiwanese perspective, our findings should be helpful in understanding what factors significantly impact the adoption of RFID technology.     

Explaining and predicting users’ continuance intention toward e-learning: An extension of the expectation–confirmation model

Although e-learning has been prompted to various education levels, the intention to continue using such systems is still very low, and the acceptance-discontinuance anomaly phenomenon (i.e., users discontinue using e-learning after initially accepting it) is a common occurrence. This paper synthesizes the expectation–confirmation model (ECM), the technology acceptance model (TAM), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and the flow theory to hypothesize a theoretical model to explain and predict the users’ intentions to continue using e-learning. The hypothesized model is validated empirically using a sample collected from 363 learners of a Web-based learning program designed for continuing education. The results demonstrate that satisfaction has the most significant effect on users’ continuance intention, followed by perceived usefulness, attitude, concentration, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control as significant but weaker predictors. The implications of these findings for e-learning practitioners are discussed at the end of this work.     

The contingent role of dependency in predicting the intention to adopt B2B e-commerce

ABSTRACT

A review of existing Electronic Commerce adoption literature reveals that the prevailing theoretical frameworks implicitly assume that organizations are independent and have complete control over their decisions to adopt innovations. Given the fact that organizations are often constrained by and depend on their environment and exchange partners to survive, this paper proposes that Resource Dependency can either be a facilitator or inhibitor of the role of Technological, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) motivating factors. Using 239 valid responses from supply chain managers in Jordan, the study found partial support for the role of Resource Dependency as a moderator. The findings provide insights on how Resource Dependency between partners drives different patterns of innovation acceptance among potential adopters, regardless of several technological and organizational motivations to innovate. The results suggest that predicting how innovation is diffused within a market needs a detailed understanding of the inter-dependence structure among the supply chain members.     

Information technology adoption and continuance: A longitudinal study of individuals’ behavioral intentions

Extant research on information technology (IT) adoption and continuance has not adequately modeled the times of adoption by individuals. This study argues that individuals adopt an innovation at different times and are likely to be influenced by different factors over time. The theoretical models are empirically validated using data gathered at three points in time through surveys of 132 users of a new innovation. The results indicate that the innovation attributes and individual characteristics influence individuals’ intentions to adopt the innovation during the early stage, and the innovation attributes and contextual factors impact the individuals’ intentions during the later stage.     

A model of Internet standards adoption: the case of IPv6

Abstract. The Internet presents a unique environment in which to study adoption. This is because of its composition of autonomous entities that are otherwise strongly interrelated. Our model of Internet standards adoption (ISA) combines diffusion of innovation and economics of adoption literature to present an integrative model. This model proposes that the adoption of Internet‐based standards is dependent upon two dimensions: the usefulness of the features to the potential adopter, and the conduciveness of the environment to adoption of the standard. This model accounts for not only the traditional dichotomous view of adoption, but also includes the notion of ‘partial adoption’, where both old and new standards can coexist for extended periods of time. As a demonstration, we apply the ISA model to the next generation Internet protocol Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). Despite its ostensible superiority, IPv6 has not been widely adopted. In this paper we discuss the reasons why this might be the case. Our analysis also draws wider conclusions about the adoption of Internet standards: in particular, the importance of transitional technologies between the old and new standards and the need for co‐ordinated government polices which encourage adoption. Our analysis also indicates that geopolitical boundaries may have a considerable impact on the adoption of Internet standards.     

Perceived potential for value creation from cloud computing: a study of the Australian regional government sector

ABSTRACT

Cloud computing is gaining increasing interest as an enabling technology for improved productivity, efficiency and cost reduction. It also has the potential to add value to reliability and scalability of organisation’s systems, which would allow organisations to better focus on their core business and strategies. This research paper aimed at exploring the perceived potential for value creation from cloud computing in Australian Regional Governments. Using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory and Desires Framework (DF), a conceptual research model is devised. The key identified factors that are likely to influence adoption of cloud computing are identified along with the implications to current policies, anticipated benefits and challenges of adoption of cloud computing. The research employed a qualitative approach involving 21 in-depth interviews with Australian local councils’ IT managers. The findings of this research are mapped to the research model factors, thereby presenting and validating a number of value-adding concepts that are expected to contribute to investment decisions on cloud computing adoption.     

The utilization of e‐government services: citizen trust,innovation and acceptance factors*

Abstract. Electronic government, or e‐government, increases the convenience and accessibility of government services and information to citizens. Despite the benefits of e‐government – increased government accountability to citizens, greater public access to information and a more efficient, cost‐effective government – the success and acceptance of e‐government initiatives, such as online voting and licence renewal, are contingent upon citizens’ willingness to adopt this innovation. In order to develop ‘citizen‐centred’ e‐government services that provide participants with accessible, relevant information and quality services that are more expedient than traditional ‘brick and mortar’ transactions, government agencies must first understand the factors that influence citizen adoption of this innovation. This study integrates constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusions of Innovation theory and web trust models to form a parsimonious yet comprehensive model of factors that influence citizen adoption of e‐government initiatives. The study was conducted by surveying a broad diversity of citizens at a community event. The findings indicate that perceived ease of use, compatibility and trustworthiness are significant predictors of citizens’ intention to use an e‐government service. Implications of this study for research and practice are presented.     

The potential of synchronous communication to enhance participation in online discussions: A case study of two e-learning courses

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) has been adopted in most e-learning settings. However, few research studies have considered the effect of different CMC. This study examined how and why synchronous communication affected participation in online discussions. Two online classes that participated in two asynchronous and two synchronous online discussions were examined. Actual and perceived measures of participation indicated that synchronous communication induced personal participation, which could be regarded as a complement to cognitive participation. Personal participation involves more intense interaction better supported by synchronous communication while cognitive participation is a more reflective type of participation supported by asynchronous communication. In synchronous discussions, the e-learners felt that they worked together and were not restricted to only discuss course content. This was likely to induce arousal and motivation and increased convergence on meaning, especially in small groups.     

Effect of personal factors to use ICTs on e-learning adoption: comparison between learner and instructor in developing countries

This research investigated some key factors influencing an individual’s behavior to use e-learning in developing countries through social cognitive theory for examining the adoption of e-learning by instructors and learners, who are the key e-learning users. This paper focused on the personal capacity of Information and Communications Technologies and also investigated the mediating effects of computer self-efficacy (CSE) and performance expectation on intention to use e-learning. The results indicate that performance expectation and CSE were crucial factors influencing behavior intention to use e-learning systems for both instructors and learners. This study also found that computer experience and personal innovativeness in the domain of information technology were prominent factors for instructors. In addition, some differences and similarities were identified in the results for instructors and learners. This study used structure equation model, partial least squares, for data analysis, and data were collected from universities in Indonesia.     

A generalized model for smartphone adoption and use in an Arab context: A cross-country comparison

The main aim of this research is to propose a conceptual model that explains the factors that can predict behavioral intention to use smartphones and the actual use of smartphones by young Arab consumers in three Arab countries: Iraq, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). The findings indicate that the proposed extended model fits well in the three countries. The research provides information that can help policymakers and mobile companies.     

A study of the relationship between institutional policy,organisational culture and e-learning use in four South African universities

This article investigates the relationship between policy (conceptualised as goals, values and resources), organisational culture and e-learning use. Through both qualitative and quantitative research methods, we gathered data about staff and student perspectives from four diverse South African universities representing a selection of ICT in education policy types (Structured and Unstructured) and organisational cultural types of “collegium, bureaucracy, corporate and enterprise” (McNay, 1995). While our findings show a clear relationship between policy and use of ICTs for teaching and learning, organisational culture is found crucial to policy mediation and the way that e-learning use is embedded within the organisation. We conclude that although a Structured Corporate institutional type enables the attainment of a “critical mass” within e-learning, Unstructured Collegium institutions are better at fostering innovation. Unstructured Bureaucratic institutions are the least enabling of either top down or bottom up e-learning change.     

The acceptance and diffusion of the innovative smart phone use: A case study of a delivery service company in logistics

Technology adoption has been the topic of several theories. We empirically assessed and integrated four models to help in predicting smart phone adoption. The varying factors were combined and a survey was conducted in five sales branches of a delivery service company. Results of the analysis of the collected data show that the relationships amongst constructs were similar. Self-efficacy was a strong predictor of behavioral intention through attitude; after innovation, diffusion theory was added. Attitude towards smart phone adoption was found to be affected mainly by testability and organizational and environmental factors. We decided that an iterative approach to implementing smart phone adoption was effective. Managerial implications are discussed.     

Digital libraries in knowledge management: an e-learning case study

Knowledge and libraries – this conceptual symbiosis is as old as the idea of libraries itself: libraries collect artifacts of explicated knowledge and make them available for building up new knowledge in all areas of everyday life. Learning and qualification management support are further essential links in the knowledge supply chain, which starts at the expert knowledge of an author and ends at the targeted enhancement of another persons individual knowledge. Digital libraries and e-learning systems are thus important enabling technologies for the knowledge supply chain in the digital age.The e-Qualification project presented in this paper combines digital library, e-learning, and authoring support into an adaptable qualification management framework that provides integrated support and mediation for the various stakeholders involved in the qualification management process.     

Cross-cultural IS adoption in multinational corporations: A study of rationality

A common claim in the literature on Information Systems' implementation in the context of less developed economies or so-called “developing countries” is that the “Western” technology is at odds with the local cultural context, in particular it is believed to mismatch local rationality in the sense of the accepted ways of doing things. In this paper we investigate IS implementation in a company based in a “non-Western” context compared with IS adoption in another company in a “Western” country context. Seen as a particular form of decision-making, the adoption and implementation processes are analysed drawing on the literature on decision-making, rationality in “Western” and “non-Western” contexts. Presenting evidence from these two contexts we argue that multiple forms of rationality exist in any context and that national culture is only one aspect of actors' as well as researchers' sense-making of activities in any given context. Linking the cases back the literature we reflect on the implications of our findings for cross-cultural research of IT implementation.