Extending the technology acceptance model

Abstract

There has been considerable research on the factors that predict whether individuals will accept and voluntarily use information systems. The technology acceptance model (TAM) has a base in psychological research, is parsimonious, explains usage behavior quite well, and can be operationalized with valid and reliable instruments. A limitation of TAM is that it assumes usage is volitional, that is, there are no barriers that would prevent an individual from using an IS if he or she chose to do so. This research extends TAM by adding perceived user resources to the model, with careful attention to placing the construct in TAM's existing nomological structure. In contrast to measures of self-efficacy and perceived behavioral control that concentrate on how well individuals perceive they can execute specific courses of action, this paper examines perceptions of adequate resources that can facilitate or inhibit such behaviors. The inclusion of both a formative and reflective set of measures provides the opportunity for the researcher and manager to decide whether to evaluate only the overall perceptions of adequate resources or also the specific underlying causes. The extended model incorporating these measures was then tested in the field. The results confirmed that perceived user resources is a valuable addition to the model.