| While a significant amount of research has been conducted on technology acceptance (e.g. TAM) in the field of MIS, existing research adopts an individual level of analysis and does not address the question of how groups accept technology. Given the widespread use of groups in organizations for many different functions, such as systems development, it is critical to understand how groups accept and use technology. The study described in this dissertation makes a humble attempt at providing such an understanding by extending the current work on technology acceptance to the group context. Drawing on the TAM literature, theories of group influence (e.g. the three levels of valence theories), and prior work on conflict, the study proposes a new model of group technology acceptance. In addition, the study also examines the relationship between a group's acceptance and use of a technology and other group outcomes, such as the quality of the solution generated by the group. The proposed model is tested using laboratory experiments involving two different types of groups—face-to-face and computer-mediated. Each of the groups was given the task of creating a conceptual design (ER diagram) pertaining to a “fictitious” information system for a manufacturing company and were provided the option of using one of two tools (a simple diagramming tool or a CASE tool) to perform the task. Results from regression analysis and structural equation modeling suggested that a group's technology acceptance is primarily dependent on the group's valence towards the technology. In addition, the group members' attitudes towards the technology prior to the group interaction, and the tool preferred by the majority members in a group have a significant influence on the group's technology acceptance. Finally, the nature of influence during the technology acceptance process was also dependent on the communication medium used by the group. The study makes significant theoretical contributions by extending the current work on technology acceptance to the group level, and providing some insights as to the nature of influence processes in a group during its technology acceptance process. The study also has a number of practical implications, especially for systems development groups. |
