A Causal Model for Information Technology Acceptance and Its Impact on Individual Performance

In an attempt to provide a causal model for Information Technology (IT) acceptance, this research integrates task-technology fit and social influence perspectives. This research model includes simultaneously IT acceptance variables, antecedents of IT acceptance, and its impact on individual performance. The implicit assumption between IT acceptance and its positive impact is empirically tested. A field study was undertaken to test the causal relationships via structural equation modeling using LISREL. Data were collected from word-processing software users and computer-mediated communication systems (CMCS) users in large business organizations. The task-fit model, the social influence model, and the integrated model all performed well in terms of goodness-of-fit. Overall, the integrated model provided the best explanatory power and goodness-of-fit. Not only the paths between utilization and user satisfaction but also the paths from each of these to individual impact were significant. In addition, the paths from task-fit and the reference group's utilization to utilization were significant as well. On the other hand, the reference group's suggestion, one of the social influence variables, had no significant influence on utilization. Implications and future research directions on IT acceptance are drawn.