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ABSTRACT
This paper describes the development of the Technological-Personal-Environmental (TPE) framework, which explains individuals' behaviors of technology acceptance. We argue that existing individual-level technology acceptance theories provide a valuable, but incomplete, understanding of individuals' technology acceptance. By synthesizing extant technology acceptance models and theories, the proposed TPE delineates the individual-level technology acceptance from technological, personal, and environmental aspects. The proposed framework provides a wider angle to investigate individual-level technology acceptance.
INTRODUCTION
In the literature, there are several theories and models proposed for technology acceptance. In general, there are two streams of those theories and models; one is with assumption of rational decision and utility maximization and another one is irrational decision due to social pressure and imitation behaviors. Some theories and models integrate elements from both streams. On the other hand, the theories and models can also be classified into the firm level and individual level, which were proposed to examine technology acceptance of organizations and of individuals, respectively.
Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) framework is a widely used model for examining technology acceptance at the firm level. This model is comprehensive, consisting factors related to three aspects - technological, organizational, and environmental. Although there are several technology acceptance models and theories for technology acceptance at the individual level, those models are not comprehensive as TOE. However, TOE in nature was designed for technology acceptance at the firm level. Therefore, this paper aims to propose an overarching model, which on one hand inherits the comprehensiveness of TOE and on the other hand is adapted for technology acceptance at the individual level.
In the following sections, we first review the related theories and models of technology acceptance, followed by the newly proposed model with detailed discussions on the potential variables in the model. Then a discussion is presented.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Technology Acceptance Theories
In the literature, there are several technology acceptance theories. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), proposed by Fishbein and Ajzen (1975), posits that behavioral intentions are determined by an individual's attitude toward the behavior and subjective norms. TRA has two extensions - Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TPB, proposed by Ajzen (1991), posits that behavioral intentions are influenced by an individual's attitude toward the behavior, the subjective norms, and...