The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is an information systems theory. This model was developed by Fred Davis in his dissertation which was published in 1989. Since then, this model has spread to one of the most cited models in the context of technology diffusion (Kotrík). User acceptance of technology has been a vital area of studies for two decades now. Many models do predict the diffusion of a system but the Technology Acceptance model is the only model which focuses mainly on Information Systems (Chuttur).
With a growing demand for technology in the 1970’s the increasing failure of adapting systems within enterprises became a new area of research. Fred Davis, a doctoral student at the MIT Sloan School of Management, proposed the Technology acceptance model in 1985. He explained that the use of a system is a response to user’s motivation. User’s motivation on the other hand depends on system features and capabilities. (Chuttur)
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- About the theory:
- Theory in IS literature
- What insight can IT management gain form TAM?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The main objective of this paper is to explain the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its applications in Information Systems (IS) research and IT management. The paper aims to provide insights into how TAM can be used to predict and improve the adoption of new technologies within organizations.
- The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its theoretical foundations.
- The application of TAM in various IS research studies.
- The practical implications of TAM for IT management in the context of technology implementation.
- Key factors influencing perceived usefulness and ease of use.
- The relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, and behavioral intention.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
About the theory: This chapter introduces the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), outlining its origins, development, and core components. It details the model's evolution from its initial conception in Fred Davis's 1985 dissertation to its refined form presented in the influential 1989 publication by Davis, Bagozzi, and Warshaw. The chapter explains the key constructs of TAM, namely perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and how these factors influence user attitudes and behavioral intentions towards technology adoption. The chapter emphasizes the model's grounding in the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and its specific focus on information systems. It explains the relationships between the model's components using equations and diagrams, illustrating the direct and indirect effects on system use. The chapter also introduces the concept of external variables that influence perceived usefulness and ease of use.
Theory in IS literature: This chapter explores the widespread application of TAM in contemporary IS research. It provides examples of published studies that utilize the TAM framework to investigate technology acceptance in various contexts, such as teleconferencing systems and healthcare information systems. A key example is the study on teleconferencing systems, which examined the influence of individual factors (anxiety, self-efficacy) and organizational factors (support) on the perceived ease of use and usefulness of the systems. This chapter highlights the continued relevance and adaptability of TAM in understanding and predicting technology adoption across different domains, demonstrating its enduring contribution to the field.
What insight can IT management gain form TAM?: This chapter discusses the practical implications of TAM for IT management. It suggests that TAM can guide IT departments in the successful implementation of new technologies by helping to anticipate potential challenges and opportunities related to user acceptance. The chapter emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing key external variables that influence perceived usefulness and ease of use, such as training, support, and system design features. It proposes a process where measurement scales are developed for new technologies to assess employee attitudes and identify potential issues before widespread deployment, thus facilitating a smoother transition from the innovators' phase to broader acceptance within the organization.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Behavioral Intention, Attitude, Information Systems, Technology Adoption, User Acceptance, External Variables, IT Management, Technology Diffusion.
Frequently Asked Questions: Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in Information Systems
What is the main objective of this document?
The primary objective is to explain the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its applications in Information Systems (IS) research and IT management. It aims to show how TAM can predict and improve the adoption of new technologies in organizations.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
The key themes include the theoretical foundations of TAM, its applications in various IS research studies, its practical implications for IT management, factors influencing perceived usefulness and ease of use, and the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, and behavioral intention.
What is the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)?
TAM is a model that explains how users come to accept and use a particular technology. It focuses on two key factors: perceived usefulness (the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would enhance their job performance) and perceived ease of use (the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would be free from effort).
How does TAM relate to the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)?
TAM is grounded in the TRA, focusing specifically on information systems. It explains how perceived usefulness and ease of use influence user attitudes and behavioral intentions towards technology adoption.
What are the components of TAM?
The core components of TAM are perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. These directly and indirectly influence a user's attitude towards the technology and their behavioral intention to use it. External variables, such as training and system design, also influence perceived usefulness and ease of use.
How is TAM applied in IS research?
The document provides examples of how TAM has been used in various IS research studies, including those investigating teleconferencing systems and healthcare information systems. These studies demonstrate the model's adaptability and continued relevance across different domains.
What insights can IT management gain from TAM?
TAM can help IT departments successfully implement new technologies by anticipating challenges and opportunities related to user acceptance. By identifying and addressing external variables (training, support, system design), IT managers can facilitate a smoother transition to broader technology acceptance within an organization. Measurement scales can be developed to assess employee attitudes and potential issues before widespread deployment.
What are the key factors influencing perceived usefulness and ease of use?
Factors influencing perceived usefulness and ease of use include training, support, system design features, and other external variables.
What is the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, and behavioral intention?
The model illustrates how perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use directly and indirectly influence a user's attitude towards the technology and their behavioral intention to use it. A positive attitude and strong behavioral intention are more likely when perceived usefulness and ease of use are high.
What are the key chapters covered in the document?
The document includes chapters on "About the theory," providing an introduction to TAM; "Theory in IS literature," exploring TAM's application in research; and "What insight can IT management gain from TAM?", focusing on practical implications for IT management.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
Keywords include: Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Behavioral Intention, Attitude, Information Systems, Technology Adoption, User Acceptance, External Variables, IT Management, Technology Diffusion.
- Quote paper
- Johannes Köck (Author), 2014, The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). An Overview, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/378123
