Understanding driver adoption of car navigation systems using the extended technology acceptance model

Abstract

This study proposes an integrated research model for investigating driver adoption of car navigation systems. We consider the potential causal connections between core cognitive and psychological factors and driver intention to use these systems. We extracted possible factors that may significantly affect the perceived usability of car navigation systems from in-depth interviews with two groups of individuals: an expert group and a driver group. Data collected from N = 1045 drivers via an online survey were analysed by structural equation modelling. The results showed that the service & display quality components of the systems were the most significant determinants of driver attitude and intention to use car navigation systems. Two other factors, namely attitude and perceived usefulness, also had impacts on driver intention. Moreover, both satisfaction and service & display quality were affected by perceived system reliability, while usefulness was affected by both perceived locational accuracy and satisfaction. Satisfaction also significantly affected perceived ease of use. In addition, we introduced new external variables to the technology acceptance model (TAM) and validated the causal connections proposed by the original TAM. The present study provides valuable insights into the core factors that significantly affect driver perspectives of and intention to use car navigation systems.