Division of Research Working Paper Abstract

97-053

A SOCIAL INFLUENCE MODEL OF GROUPWARE ACCEPTANCE IN DISTRIBUTED TEAMS

Maryam Alavi and Youngjin Yoo

This study developed and tested a model of user acceptance behavior of groupware. The model, based on individual technology acceptance behavior and social influence theory, was tested through a longitudinal field study involving fifty-seven MBA students. The data indicated that perceptions and acceptance of groupware (in this case, Lotus Notes) is not determined merely by the objective characteristics of technology, but is in part socially constructed. The data also indicated that in the early stages of group development, when group cohesiveness was relatively low, the compliance influence process affected individual groupware acceptance behavior. Specifically, in the early stages of group development, other members’ use of groupware was a positive predictor of the individual’s perceived ease of use, as well as of individual use behavior. Interestingly, individual’s technology perceptions did not impact individual’s groupware acceptance behavior in the early stages of group development. In the later stages of group development, when group cohesiveness was relatively high, the internalization influence process affected individual’s groupware acceptance behavior. That is, other members’ perceived ease of use was a positive predictor of the individual’s perceived ease of use, which in turn was a positive predictor of the individual’s groupware acceptance behavior. The role of groupware in the global and networked organizational forms will become increasingly important. However, failure of groupware implementation are common. Part of the problem may be inattention to the process of groupware acceptance in a social context. The results presented in this paper shed some light on this important issue. Research and managerial implications of the findings are discussed in the concluding section.

GM
34 pages