A methodological analysis of user technology acceptance

The majority of research on user technology acceptance, e.g. technology acceptance model, focuses on individual users' beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral intentions toward technology use. In this paper, we attempt to examine prior research on user technology acceptance from a methodological angle by borrowing Markus and Robey's research framework (1988). We find that prior studies usually take technology imperative perspective, use variance theories, and emphasize the micro level of analysis. Therefore, we propose an "emergent perspective - process theories - mixed level of analysis" approach to analyze user technology acceptance. From this perspective, a new model is proposed and several propositions are derived and discussed. This study draws on several prior theories and models, such as the technology acceptance model, computer self-efficacy and the task-technology fit model, but reassembles them in a novel way. The paper concludes with the research and practical implications.