Development and Empirical Validation of an Information Technology Acceptance Framework

Abstract

This paper explores the constructs affecting IT acceptance in modern organisations using theoretical frameworks such as the TAM and the UTAUT models. Realising the drawbacks of such dichotomous models for capturing the dynamics of contemporary IT enablers and use processes, the present study plans to offer and test new antecedent and moderating constructs that may provide a more accurate picture of today’s IT deployment and utilisation. The type of research in the study is the quantitative research method, which is adopted in the study where the researcher adopted a structured questionnaire to be administered to 200 participants across the different sectors of the economy, such as health, education, and business. Hypotheses of primary concern are those related to the construct of IT acceptance, including perceived usefulness, ease of use, trust, system transparency, perceived risk, and ethical concerns. The analysis of the data gathered is done using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) because of the possibility of analysing the associations between several variables. Behavioural construct analysis revealed a significant positive correlation with IT acceptance behaviours, with the value of R for the new construct being 0.935 and the R square value being 0.874, which means that newly derived constructs explain a fair percentage of IT acceptance behaviours. The findings, therefore, point out the lack of conventional frameworks in addressing the complex nature of IT use in various organisational and cultural environments. Full-spectrum system requirements in newly developing domains, such as AI, machine learning, and blockchain, require new fundamental concepts regarding user trust, system openness and ethical considerations. This work extends the IT acceptance literature by providing a better view of the determinants of IT uptake in modern organisations. In totality, the validated constructs have practical implications for organisations desirous of adopting new IT systems, particularly highlighting the role of trust and perceived risk and the need for transparency or the adoption of transparency to guarantee user satisfaction rates and consequent adoption of new IT systems. In conclusion, the study points to the need to develop new models that address today’s diverse IT contexts to inform the next generation of IT acceptance and adoption research.