Technology acceptance model
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Technology Acceptance Model: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is a widely recognized framework for understanding how users come to accept and use technology. Initially proposed by Davis in 1989, TAM posits that two primary factors—perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU)—predict users' acceptance of technology . Over the years, TAM has been extensively validated and applied across various domains, including education, business, and information systems.
Meta-Analyses and Validation of TAM
Robustness and Applicability
Several meta-analyses have confirmed the robustness and validity of TAM. A comprehensive meta-analysis involving 88 studies demonstrated that TAM is a credible model with wide applicability across different fields. Another meta-analysis of 26 empirical studies found strong correlations between perceived usefulness and technology acceptance, although the relationship between perceived ease of use and acceptance was weaker. These findings underscore TAM's reliability in predicting technology acceptance.
Moderating Factors
Research has also explored the moderating effects of various factors on TAM's core variables. For instance, a study examining subjective norms found that these norms significantly influence perceived usefulness and behavioral intention to use technology. Additionally, factors such as user type, technology type, and cultural context have been shown to moderate the effects of TAM variables, suggesting that the model's applicability can vary under different conditions .
TAM in Educational Contexts
Systematic Literature Reviews
TAM has been extensively applied in educational settings to assess the acceptance of learning technologies. A systematic review of 71 studies from 2003 to 2018 highlighted that TAM and its extended versions (TAM++) are effective in evaluating diverse learning technologies. The core variables, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, consistently emerged as significant predictors of technology acceptance in educational contexts.
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
In the domain of Learning Management Systems (LMS), TAM has been one of the dominant models used to understand technology acceptance. A review of 68 studies identified TAM, along with other models like UTAUT and the DeLone and McLean IS success model, as prevalent frameworks for studying LMS adoption in higher education. The review also categorized external factors affecting LMS acceptance into individual, contextual, and psychological/behavioral constructs.
Extensions and Alternatives to TAM
TAM2 and TAM3
To address some of the limitations of the original TAM, researchers have proposed extended models such as TAM2 and TAM3. These models incorporate additional factors like social influence and cognitive instrumental processes to better explain technology acceptance. Longitudinal studies have shown that these extended models account for a significant portion of the variance in perceived usefulness and usage intentions, thereby enhancing the explanatory power of TAM.
Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)
The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is another model that has gained traction as an alternative to TAM. UTAUT integrates elements from various acceptance models, including TAM, to provide a more comprehensive framework. A review of 174 articles on UTAUT revealed that it is particularly effective in examining general-purpose and specialized business systems. The model's constructs, such as performance expectancy and behavioral intention, have been identified as strong predictors of technology acceptance.
Conclusion
The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) remains a cornerstone in the study of technology acceptance, validated by numerous meta-analyses and systematic reviews. While TAM's core variables—perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness—are robust predictors of technology acceptance, the model's applicability can be influenced by various moderating factors. Extensions like TAM2 and alternative models like UTAUT offer additional insights, making TAM a versatile and enduring framework for understanding user acceptance of technology across different domains.
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