An examination of the factors contributing to microcomputer technology acceptance

Abstract

This paper examines the factors that explain variations in microcomputer acceptance. Results of this study identify two main factors contributing to microcomputer acceptance: behavioral beliefs and normative beliefs. We found that individuals use microcomputers if they believe that (a) using the system will increase their performance and productivity, and (b) if they feel social pressure to use microcomputers, mainly pressure from individuals or groups with whom they are motivated to comply think they should use them. We also found that perceived usefulness and computer anxiety had strong direct effects on attitudes and that both computer anxiety and perceived usefulness mediated the effects of the external factors (computer skills and organizational support) on microcomputer usage. Subjective norms also had a direct effect on microcomputer usage and mediated the effect of normative beleifs on microcomputer usage. Finally, results also show that organizational usage (peer usage, management usage, and subordinate usage) and organizational support (management and information center support) had direct effects on normative beliefs. Implications for practitioners and researchers are offered on user acceptance of microcomputer technology. We also provided some design and implementation guidelines that foster computer technology acceptance.