The Use of Wireless Internet Parks to Facilitate Adoption and Diffusion of E-Government Services: An Empirical Study in Qatar

The Qatari government has launched Wireless Internet Parks (iPark) concept under their national electronic government (egovernment) initiative with a view of providing free internet access for all citizens while enjoying the outdoors. By offering free wireless Internet access, the Qatari government hopes to increase accessibility of e-government services and encourage their citizens to actively participate in the global information society with a view of bridging the digital divide. The adoption and diffusion of iPark services will depend on user acceptance and availability of wireless technology. This paper examines an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) that proposes individual differences, technology complexity, and trust environment constructs to determine perceived usefulness and perceived ease of the iPark initiative by using a survey based study. Results of the survey showed that among other constructs Wireless Internet trust and technology complexity has a significant affect on perceived usefulness of iPark services.