Technology Acceptance Model

Definition

The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is a theoretical framework that explains how users come to accept and use new technologies. It focuses on two main factors: perceived usefulness, which is the degree to which a person believes that using a particular technology would enhance their job performance, and perceived ease of use, which is the degree to which a person believes that using the technology would be free from effort. This model is particularly relevant when examining the adoption and diffusion of new technologies within various systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Technology Acceptance Model was developed by Fred Davis in 1986 to help predict user acceptance of technology.
2. TAM has been widely used in various fields, including healthcare, to understand how new health information technologies are accepted by professionals and patients.
3. The model emphasizes that both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use significantly influence users' intentions to adopt new technologies.
4. Research has shown that positive experiences with technology can increase users' perceived usefulness and ease of use, further driving adoption.
5. TAM can be extended with additional constructs, such as social influence and facilitating conditions, to better capture the complexities of technology acceptance.

Review Questions

• How do perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use influence the adoption of new technologies according to the Technology Acceptance Model?
  • According to the Technology Acceptance Model, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are critical factors that determine whether individuals will adopt new technologies. If users believe that a technology will enhance their job performance (perceived usefulness) and if they find it easy to use (perceived ease of use), they are more likely to have a positive attitude towards adopting that technology. These perceptions directly influence their intention to utilize the technology in their work or daily life.
• Discuss the implications of the Technology Acceptance Model for healthcare organizations trying to implement new health technologies.
  • The Technology Acceptance Model has significant implications for healthcare organizations implementing new health technologies. By understanding that staff and patients are more likely to adopt technology if they find it useful and easy to use, healthcare leaders can focus on training programs and user-friendly designs. Engaging end-users during the development process can also help ensure that technologies meet their needs, leading to higher acceptance rates and improved outcomes for healthcare delivery.
• Evaluate how the Technology Acceptance Model can be adapted or extended to better fit the context of emerging technologies in modern healthcare.
  • To better fit the context of emerging technologies in modern healthcare, the Technology Acceptance Model can be adapted by incorporating additional constructs like social influence, where peer opinions shape acceptance, and facilitating conditions, which account for resources available for using the technology. This expanded framework allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how various external factors affect users' perceptions and attitudes towards new technologies. As new innovations emerge in healthcare, understanding these dynamics will be essential for successful implementation and sustained usage.

Related terms

Perceived Usefulness: The degree to which a user believes that using a specific technology will improve their job performance.

Perceived Ease of Use: The extent to which a user believes that using a technology will be free of effort.

Diffusion of Innovations:

A theory that explains how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread within a society.