Technology and the development of the Internet has led to greater awareness among organisations of the role the Internet can play in improving services through online channels. Banks, financial institutions and the relevant government authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have made great progress towards improving their e-services; however, these efforts came with a lack of theoretical background concerning the main challenge, which is to encourage customers to accept Online Banking (OB). This research has explored these concerns, with the aim of providing better understanding of the salient factors affecting people's acceptance and adoption of OB technology within the specific national cultural context of Saudi Arabia. The literature suggests numerous factors as determinants of people's technology adoption in general and OB in particular. This study employs a qualitative approach to narrow down and identify factors that did not emerge in the literature, to arrive at the most appropriate ones. The qualitative stage of the research involved a combination of two focus groups (14 participants) and eight semi-structured interviews. After accomplishing the first stage, a model was proposed to explain the factors affecting user acceptance of technology in the context of OB in Saudi Arabia comprising eight constructs (Perceived Usefulness, Resistance to Change, Perceived Trust, Perceived Usefulness, Social Influence, Perceived Quantity, Uncertainty Avoidance and Perceived Image). A cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed, resulting in 945 responses for use in the data analysis (using SPSS 20.0), for descriptive and exploratory factor analysis to extract constructs of the model. To finish, the proposed model and its hypotheses were examined by applying two-stage structural equation modelling. The conceptual model was found to be of value in explaining the role of the chosen factors that affect user acceptance of technology. The research found the seven direct predictors of BI to use OB explained 84.5 percent of BI variance. From the findings, it was found that the most significant predictor of BI was UA, followed by RC then PU. This research contributed to knowledge by providing a new e-service adoption model involving the impact of national culture. The newly proposed factors (PQ and UA as determinants) helped understand users‟ e-behaviours in KSA where research is seriously under-developed. The research limitations and recommended further efforts are finally presented.

Information System (IS) implementations are a risky business with studies showing only a 16%-29% success rate. This research explores the use of social capital to support technology implementations. This research brings together two distinct bodies of knowledge: social network analysis (SNA) and technology acceptance models, in order to better understand the relationship between social capital and technology acceptance. The first aspect of the research looks at social network centrality and influence measures as an alternative means to measure social influence in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The social influence construct has proven to be inconsistent in past research. An individual‟s decision to adopt a new technology is influenced by their social context or the informal social network within which they work. The social capital of others influences their attitudes and decision to adopt a new technology. Social Capital, as measured through social network analysis, could be substituted for the social influence construct of the UTAUT model. Two revised UTAUT models are developed and tested. The second aspect of this research uses social capital to inform membership of a Community of Practice (CoP) to support a Finance Management System implementation in a higher education organization. SNA can be used to gain an understanding of the social network and identify individuals with high social capital. There is growing evidence that CoP support successful organizational change initiatives but it is less clear how CoP membership might be determined. SNA provides an evidence-based approach to CoP formation. The IS implementation cases described in the paper demonstrate an innovative approach to IS implementation grounded in social capital and technology acceptance research that add to the body of knowledge in both theory and practice.

Given that not even 10% of clothing is sold online, apparel e-commerce faces major challenges as opposed to traditional apparel shopping or e-commerce of digital goods. Due to the constantly increasing online business, it is essential to optimize the online apparel purchase process, for it to become more competitive. Perceived product risk and return rates– for apparel– are exceptionally high. Fitting and size uncertainty is the key reason to both purchase hesitance as well as number of returns. In this study it is investigated whether fitting enabling technologies (FETs) can benefit apparel e-commerce by making the purchase process more efficient and solving the aforementioned complications. Focus here is put onto three main fitting technologies: Fits.Me, UPcload and Virtusize. In order to serve the study purpose, subjects of research included the classification of apparel goods, the theory of perceived risk as well as technology acceptance. The measures of the technological acceptance model (TAM) were used to examine and evaluate the applications. These were ‘skills’, ‘perceived ease of use’, ‘perceived enjoyment’, ‘perceived usefulness’ and ‘post-purchase evaluation’. The method was based on a deductive approach, first examining theory and then confirming results practically. A general online observation of diverse (fitting) enabling technologies paired with extensive literature research of accompanying topics, lead to the selection of three case technologies, which could be tested and evaluated based on the components of the literature review. Closing the gap between retailer and consumer in order to create purchase process efficiency could be achieved. Purchase hesitance due to the inability of physical examination of intangible apparel goods could be minimized through the integration of FETs. The measures of the TAM were tested overall positively in regard to the technologies in the e-tail context. The online apparel purchase process had been aligned with the conventional buying procedure and consequently generated the same benefits, allowing apparel e-commerce to finally achieve competitive advantage, to potentially substitute traditional apparel shopping and to eventually build upon a consistent and coherent international size infrastructure. / Program: Master programme in Applied Textile Management

The purpose of this study is to form an understanding for communication managers acceptance of the chatbot. This understanding could be useful if the usage of the chatbot at various companies increases. This study also aims to study the relevance of Davis (1989) Technology Acceptance Model, which is one of the most frequent used theories in acceptance studies.  Hence, this study is based on the following questions: <ul type="disc">How can communication managers' perception of the chatbot be understood? Is the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) a useful model for understanding the acceptance level of the chatbot? If not; how can it be developed to achieve this purpose? The study is based on qualitative interviews of four communication managers from different companies in the Stockholm area. The empirical data collected from the interviews has been analyzed according to thematic analysis, and further understood with support of the TAM-model. Due to the qualitative approach, but also according to the purpose of possibly developing the TAM-model, the study has been characterized by openness and ambition to explore the empirical material and theory. The study showed a unified understanding of the chatbot as helpful in simple types of customer communication areas. The technology was also considered to have a future usefulness in this area. The study also came to clarify that the respondents have shared understandings of the chatbot. The views consisted of both advantages and disadvantages of implementing a chatbot to the workplace. The opinions are based on three emerging themes that were considered relevant to the respondents; the efficient business, future vision for the chatbot and secondary view of the chatbot. The TAM-model proved helpful in understanding the empirical evidence and understanding the grounds to acceptance. The study found that the model would be made even more relevant if it would include social influence, in order to understand how the respondent is expected to understand the users experience of the chatbot. Therefore, this study has proposed an extension of the TAM-model that includes the expected user experience. By developing this parameter to the TAM-model the theory is expected to be more rewarding for further similar studies.

The need for online banking technology in the banking industry is important to allow financial institutions to serve their customers worldwide, without having the need to be present in person or face-to-face to benefit from the service. Despite the investment in informational technology and information system infrastructure by Saudi Arabian financial institutions, the Saudi banks have lagged their Western counterparts when it comes to provision of online banking services. Given a relatively recent adoption of online banking in Saudi Arabia, consumer trust in online banking is a critical challenge facing bank managers, warranting further research. The aim of this research is to develop a framework to improve consumer trust toward online banking services and its affect consumer intentions to use the online banking service and e-WOM. The literature included the assessment of relevant theories including social cognitive theory, technology acceptance model and commitment trust theory. These theories formed the basis of formulation of research framework, including development of 12 research hypotheses. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, relationship termination cost, shared value, communication, privacy and demographic factors all have an important role in influencing the extent of trust and the subsequent intention of customers to engage in and use online banking services provided by the financial institutions. When it comes to the literature gap, there remains a relative lack of existence of research on the subject of consumer trust in online banking within Saudi Arabia (Zhou, 2012; Alanezi and Brooks, 2014; AL-Malkawi et al., 2016), which presents a gap in the literature warranting further research. Moreover, most of the prior research on the subject of consumer trust in online banking has concentrated on the information cues such as reputation and information quality (Montazemi and Qahri-Saremi, 2015). This is alongside relatively little attention given to other factors such as perceived usefulness, ease of use, shared value, and privacy/security, which are crucial factors in online banking services (Fatima, 2011; Aloul., 2012; Montazemi and Qahri-Saremi, 2015). Regarding methodology, the positivist research philosophy, deductive approach, survey questionnaire and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques were undertaken. A key rationale for selection of such a methodology is the review of relevant literature, which led to development of research hypotheses that are tested through the survey technique, which is consistent with positivist and deductive research approach. The survey questionnaire request was sent online to 800 research participants (users of online services in Saudi Arabia). Out of these 800, 585 responded (indicating a response rate of an impressive 73%). The response rate was improved through giving regular reminders to the research participants who had not responded to the survey earlier. The findings of this research support the argument that trust in e-bank website play an important role in maintaining long term relationship with customers. Therefore, online banks who deal with their customers in a confidential, transparent and honest manner and ultimately protect the consumers' interests are likely to contribute to greater adoption of online banking by customers in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, it is also concluded that perceived ease of use, trust in online banking website, trust in technology, relationship termination cost, privacy/security, shared value, and communication have positive and significant effect on customer trust in e-bank website, intention to use online banking, and e-WOM.

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) are a major public health problems. Major sources of care provision are family members in the community and these ADRD caregivers encounter a variety of stressor. Currently there continues to be a need to develop and test Internet based interventions designed to reduce stress for caregivers for persons with ADRD. The web-based Structured Written Emotional Expressions (SWEE) was developed to manage ADRD caregivers stress related to caregiving experiences through writing about their thoughts and feelings. However, differences between provided services by researchers (the web-based SWEE) and the desired services of ADRD caregivers could be a barrier to ADRD caregivers' acceptance and use of the web-based SWEE. The purpose of this study was to assess the acceptability of implementing a web-based nursing intervention for ADRD caregivers and to describe participants' experiences in using the website to understand ADRD caregivers' website usage. An experimental design was used to determine whether the web-based SWEE helped to manage ADRD caregivers' stress through writing interventions. In addition, the UTAUT model was employed for a theoretical framework to explain and predict the web-based SWEE usage behavior by ADRD caregivers. The Finding Meaning Through Caregiving Scale (FMTCS) was used to evaluate finding-meaning related to caregiving experiences as a mediator between performance expectancy and behavioral intention to use in the UTAUT model. Furthermore, the web-based research methods were assessed throughout the web-based SWEE implementing process. Both web-based and paper-based methods were used for recruiting potential participants. Most people who contacted the researcher were recruited by the web-based method. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used for test ADRD caregivers' acceptability of the web-based SWEE and direct content analysis was used for describing participants' experiences in using the web-based SWEE. Fifty people completed the study out of the 90 people who enrolled. Of these 50 participants, 31 completed the study as intended and on schedule. The research showed a good model fit with a Chi-square value (df=43) of 57.191 (p>0.05). The findings showed that performance expectancy had a significant effect on participants' behavioral intention to use (β=0.620, p<0.01) and that effort expectancy also affected the behavioral intention to use the web-based SWEE (β=0.293, p<0.01). Performance expectancy showed stronger effects than effort expectancy. This model explained 52% of variance in behavioral intention to use. However, the effects of facilitating conditions on actual usage and effects of behavioral intention to use on actual usage were not supported by this research. The finding-meaning measure did not show a significant mediating effect on the relationship between performance expectancy and behavioral intention to use. Findings suggested that recruitment methods which use the Internet were an effective way to find potential study participants. Regardless of the topic, the writing intervention helped ADRD caregivers to express stress related to caregiving experiences. In addition, the perceived usefulness of this nursing intervention (performance expectancy) and the perceived ease of use (effort expectancy) were two important constructs which predicted and explained the acceptance of the web-based SWEE by ADRD caregivers. Finally, even though the UATAUT model was only partially supported by a good model fit, this study's findings showed the potential of the UTAUT model for providing health consumer information systems in nursing.

Some managers of primary care provider (PCP) facilities lack the strategies to implement electronic health records (EHRs), which could decrease healthcare costs and enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare that patients receive. The purpose of this single-case study was to explore the strategies PCP managers used to implement EHRs to decrease healthcare costs. The population consisted of 5 primary care managers with responsibility for the administration, oversight, and direct working knowledge of EHRs in Central Florida. The conceptual framework was the technology acceptance model. Data were collected from semistructured face-to-face interviews and the review of company documents, including training logs, activity records, and cost information. Methodological triangulation was used to validate the creditability and interpretation of the data in transcribing themes. Three themes emerged from the analysis of study data: implementation of EHRs, costs of implementing EHRs, and perceived usefulness of EHRs. Participants indicated that the implementation of EHRs depended on motivation, financial cost, and the usefulness of EHRs relating to training that reflected user-friendliness. The implications of this study for social change include the potential to lower the cost and improve the efficiency of healthcare for patients. The use of EHR systems could enhance the quality of care delivered to patients through improved accessibility, elimination of duplicative tests, and retrieval of accurate patient information. The use of EHRs can lead to a comprehensive preventative healthcare system resulting in a healthier environment.

Small business owners who fail to adopt modern technology risk placing themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Drawing on Davis's technology acceptance model, the purpose of this study was to examine how small business owners in Central Ohio come to accept and use computerized accounting systems (CAS). The research question addressed the correlation between perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and the intent to adopt CAS using multiple linear regression. Data were collected using a survey mailed to 347 small business owners which yielded a sample size of 71 respondents. Results showed a positive correlation between perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and the intent to adopt CAS; therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected. The model predicted about 71% of the variations in intent to adopt CAS. Using the portion of the sample where small business owners had not yet adopted CAS (n = 34), the model was able to predict about 63% of the variation, and in the portion where small business owners had already adopted CAS (n = 37), the model was able to predict about 70% of the variation. However, when splitting the sample between small businesses whose owners had already adopted CAS and those who had not yet adopted CAS, importance of ease of use and usefulness changed. Usefulness is more important to nonadopters and ease of use is more important for continued use. The implication for social change is the potential to reduce business failures. The study showed that 83% of small businesses over 5 years old currently use a CAS and only 56% under 5 years old use a CAS. Society could benefit from an increase in the number of successful small businesses, which would then contribute to economic expansion.

Although research has identified critical thinking (CT) as an objective of higher education, limited quantitative research has focused on how postsecondary instructors view using handheld devices for classroom collaboration to support CT. There are studies examining how the use of tablet technologies influence collaborative learning (CL), showing a link between CL and CT, and connecting CT to academic achievement. However, understanding how instructors perceive the intersection of these factors has not been well studied. Applying Vygotsky's social cognitive theory as a foundation of CL, using adapted questions from two questionnaires (Technology Acceptance Model and Cooperative Learning Implementation) and two frameworks, this quantitative survey study examined the relationship between tablet application and implementation of CL, and then between CL implementation and the development of CT dispositions (CTD). An email with a link to the survey was sent to a population of 1,932 instructors in a professional education technology organization. From a sample of 59, the key findings indicated instructors accepted the use and usefulness of tablets in the classroom, and used applications for completing collaborative tasks. The Pearson's product moment correlations between tablets and CL, acceptance and implementation appear to be affected by instructor's professional views and teaching practices. Perceptions about the development of CTD were positive with limitations of statistical significance. Results of this study may provide insights into using tablets in effective ways to enhance learning outcomes as one social benefit. Improving the CT of students may support developing citizens who contribute to communities and society in positive ways as lifelong learners.

Many studies have documented that technology integration increases summative assessment scores, yet many teachers do not integrate technology in their teaching. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover the extent to which middle school mathematics educators are or are not integrating technology in a school district where summative scores were below mathematics state benchmarks. Guided by instructional constructivism and the technology acceptance model, this case study examined how teachers perceived advantages and barriers to mathematics instruction that uses technology. Five of the nine mathematics teachers at the middle school volunteered to participate in a semi-structured interview and be observed in the classroom for evidence that they used the technology in the manner they described it during their interview. Data were coded and analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that although teachers perceived technology integration as viable to student academic success, they used the interactive whiteboards either as projectors or as marker boards instead of interacting with them through educationally meaningful tasks. Predominant technology integration barriers were limited resources and technological pedagogical knowledge. To address this deficit, a professional development project was created with the goal of increasing teachers' technology pedagogical integration strategies for the interactive whiteboards. Because technology is an essential part of 21st century education, positive social change can occur when teacher competence in technology integration increases, is applied in the classroom, and raises test scores. Additional positive social change can be realized as students build valuable skills that help them become positive active members of society.