AGE DIFFERENCES IN TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION DECISIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR A CHANGING WORK FORCE

TLDR

The study examined how age affects technology adoption and sustained use in the workplace through the theory of planned behavior. The authors tracked 118 workers’ reactions and usage of a new software system over five months. Results showed that younger workers’ technology usage decisions were more strongly driven by attitude, whereas older workers relied more on subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, with the norm influence waning over time, and these patterns remained significant after controlling for income, occupation, and education.

Abstract

This research investigated age differences in individual adoption and sustained usage of technology in the workplace using the theory of planned behavior. User reactions and technology usage behavior were studied over a 5‐month period among 118 workers being introduced to a new software system. At 2 points of measurement, compared to older workers, younger workers' technology usage decisions were more strongly influenced by attitude toward using the technology. In contrast, older workers were more strongly influenced by subjective norm and perceived behavioral control, although the effect of subjective norm diminished over time. These findings were robust, even after controlling for key confounding variables identified in prior organizational behavior research (i.e., income, occupation, and education levels). Theoretical and practical implications for understanding the effects of aging on technology adoption and usage in the workplace are discussed.