Technology Acceptance Model Validation in an Educational Context: A Longitudinal Study of ERP System Use

Elizabeth E Grandón,Simha R Magal,Karina Rojas-Contreras,Beatriz Díaz-Pinzón

doi:10.29333/jisem/9582

Abstract

Although Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have been implemented and extensively studied in corporate contexts, there is a lack of research that focuses on educational settings. This study intends to fill this gap by validating the technology acceptance model (TAM) in an educational context to better understand the factors that influence students’ intention to use ERP systems. The research model was empirically tested using data collected from students enrolled in ERP courses in two public universities in different countries at two points in time. The results of this longitudinal, cross-cultural study indicate that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness predicts behavioral intention, with perceived usefulness the strongest predictor. As students use the ERP system in class, their perceptions of ease of use, usefulness, and intention to use the system are more favorable. Along the same lines, students with previous experience in ERP systems have more favorable perceptions of ease of use and usefulness than students with no experience. Contributions of the study and recommendations for future research are proposed.

Highlights

Organizations have used Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to support their business processes for over forty years (Mohammad et al, 2002; Strong et al, 2006)
71.4% of the students had no previous experience in using any ERP system
These findings are similar to the ones obtained by Soto et al (2013), and Al-Jabri and Roztocki (2015) who found that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use influence the attitude of ERP users in a company setting which in turn influence the intention to use it and the symbolic adoption respectively

Summary

Introduction

Organizations have used Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to support their business processes for over forty years (Mohammad et al, 2002; Strong et al, 2006). Given the significant investment required to implement and use ERP systems, organizations have sought to ensure successful adoption and use. One body of research on ERP systems has attempted to identify the factors that influence adoption and use. A meta-analysis conducted by Ramírez and García (2005), revealed that factors related to education and training were identified most often as leading to successful implementation of ERP systems. This has implications for educational institutions and should inform university curricula and approaches to teaching about ERP system. Institutions of higher education are well advised to incorporate ERP-related topics in their curricula

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Discussion

Conclusion